Page 85 of Beneath the Surface

Brad stood at the edge of the table, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he stared at the maps. His mind swirled with frustration—they had no solid leads. No idea if Hale had altered his appearance, what kind of vehicle he was driving, or where he could have taken her. It was like trying to track a shadow.

The sound of a door opening drew his attention, and Brad turned to see Ethan walking in. His presence was unexpected, a stark contrast to the mess surrounding them. Ethan’s face was drawn, but his movements were purposeful as he crossed the room to Brad.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Brad asked, his voice edged with disbelief. “You just became a father.”

Ethan’s eyes softened, but his voice was firm. “Molly told me I wasn’t allowed to come back to the hospital until her sister was found. So here I am.”

For the first time in hours, Brad felt a flicker of gratitude. “Thank you,” he said quietly.

Ethan gave him a curt nod. “Let’s find her.”

Across the room, Charlotte Everhart sat at the head of the table, poised and calm despite the turmoil. She worked the phone with the ease of someone who had once commanded respect as a deputy police chief. Every call she made was a calculated move, leveraging her old contacts in the hope of shaking loose information.

Ruth and Sophie moved through the room like anchors, keeping everyone steady with a seemingly endless supply of coffee and food. Ruth placed a mug in Brad’s hands, her quiet presence a reminder that he wasn’t in this alone.

But for all the organization, the leads were thin. Brad slammed his hand against the edge of the table, his frustration boiling over. “We don’t even know if he’s changed his appearance. What kind of car he’s in. We’re working with nothing!”

The sudden ring of Larson’s phone cut through the tension. All eyes turned to him as he answered, “Larson here.”

He listened intently, then stood, his face lighting with a glimmer of hope. “We got prints,” he announced to the room. “From the wall and floor where Dillon was attacked. They belong to a twenty-two-year-old female, Courtney Jenkins. Looks like she’s one of Hale’s groupies.”

Alex Marcel didn’t waste a second. He grabbed his partner, Noah Kandor, and his keys. “Give me the address,” Alex said sharply. “We’ll pick her up.”

Two hours later, Alex and Noah returned, hauling Courtney Jenkins into the room. She was young and attractive in a rough,defiant way, with dark makeup and an air of arrogance that grated immediately. She crossed her arms and smirked, as if daring anyone to try to intimidate her.

“She hasn’t said a word,” Alex reported, his frustration evident.

Brad exchanged a glance with John Larson. They didn’t need to speak; their decision was already made. “Sophie,” Brad said coolly, “we need Tristan’s office.”

Sophie hesitated but nodded. “Down the hall.”

“Let’s go,” Brad said, his voice sharp and commanding. He gestured for Larson to follow as they escorted Courtney into the office, closing the door firmly behind them.

Brad leaned against the desk, his piercing gaze fixed on Courtney. Larson stood near the door, his broad frame blocking her only exit. Courtney slouched in her chair, her arms crossed, her defiance palpable.

“You’re going to tell us where he took her,” Brad commanded.

Courtney smirked, though there was a nervous flicker in her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t lie to me.” Brad’s tone turned icy, his voice laced with authority. He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “You think you’re clever? You think you’re in control here? Let me make one thing clear: you’re nothing but a tool Hale used, and you’ll break just as easily as you’re discarded.”

Courtney’s smirk wavered, but she crossed her legs, forcing an air of confidence she obviously didn’t feel. “I don’t owe you anything.”

Larson barked out a cold laugh, stepping forward. “Wrong. You owe useverything. The second you helped him take her, you became part of this. And trust me, little girl, you don’t want to find out what happens when we’re not in a forgiving mood.”

Courtney’s lips parted, but no words came out. She looked between the two men, their dominating presence suffocating the bravado she had clung to.

Brad leaned down, his voice a low growl in her ear. “Do you think Hale cares about you? Do you think you’re special to him? You’re nothing. Less than nothing. And when we’re done here, you’ll be just another name on a booking sheet.”

Her breath hitched, and her hands fidgeted in her lap. “I—I don’t know where he went,” she stammered. “I swear.”

Brad slammed his hand on the desk beside her, making her flinch. “Don’t lie to me! Where is he?”

Courtney’s walls cracked. Tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head. “He said I couldn’t come with him. I wanted to go, but he wouldn’t let me. He said I’d slow him down.”

Larson crouched beside her, his voice smooth but dangerous. “What did he tell you? What car was he driving? Did he say anything about where he was heading?”

Her voice trembled. “He’s driving a gray Toyota Corolla. That’s all I know. Please. I swear.”

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