Page 53 of Husband Missing

Trinity’s glare dried up the words on the tip of Josie’s tongue. “Everything I’m doing is for Noah. Truth? Yes, Roe Hoyt’s caseis fascinating. It would make for great television or even a book. There’s no sense in lying about that. You know me too well. But I’m not pursuing her story. I just need Eva Owens to think I am so she’ll talk to us. She wasn’t receptive to talking to a police detective or even to Lila’s kidnap victim—once she found out how evil Lila was—but when I told her what I do, she changed her tune completely. You wanted to know about Roe Hoyt. This is the best way in.”

“Okay,” Josie said.

She wasn’t exactly sure what she hoped to find out from Eva Owens, but her sister had gone to great lengths to set up a meeting. Besides, if Roe Hoyt’s communication skills hadn’t improved since her arrest, Eva Owens would be the best source of information. Without an official case to link to Roe, Josie couldn’t request her prison records. She was lucky the superintendent hadn’t asked any questions when she requested the visit.

Before Josie could say anything more, the sound of Laura’s strident voice came through the screen door. “Shouldn’t there be some kind of press conference? It seems like we should be making a public plea of some kind.”

“I’m not sure whose call that would be,” Paula answered.

Trinity continued to stroke between Trout’s ears, her head canted to the side as she listened.

“I don’t see what’s stopping us,” Laura huffed.

Theo sighed. “His wife should be making that kind of decision.”

Josie could practically hear Laura roll her eyes. “Then maybe it’s best she doesn’t do it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Shannon, on the defensive.

Trinity frowned. Trout looked back and forth between the two of them, ears pointed. He was keying in to the tension now radiating from Josie’s body.

“Josie does great on television when she’s doing the whole cop thing but she’s not exactly warm.”

“Because she’s usually talking about killers and kidnappers. Heinous crimes,” Paula said. “Her affect is completely appropriate in that circumstance.”

“Josie’s warm,” Christian said. “You just don’t know her that well.”

“She’s married to my little brother,” Laura said. “And she’s been a robot since we got here—when we’ve seen her. What was she even doing yesterday? Just out driving around?”

Trinity glowered. “Didn’t you save this bitch and her baby from being murdered?”

“Yeah.” Josie pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. A headache started to pulse behind her eyes. She couldn’t even imagine cracking the seal on her tightly bottled emotions right now for the public to see, but she’d do it for Noah if Heather’s team thought it would help. “But Laura’s never liked me very much. The important thing is that she’s protective of Noah.”

Folding her arms across her chest, Trinity started toward the steps. “Well, I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.”

“Trin.”

As much as Josie would love to see that—or do it herself—starting a war with Noah’s sister wouldn’t be good for him or anyone.

Gretchen’s voice cut through everything, freezing Trinity in place. “It’s not really anyone’s business how Josie deals with the fact that her husband is missing—or where she goes or what she does while she’s trying to navigate this situation. If the lead investigator on the case thinks a public plea will be helpful,they’ll ask. There are some situations where it might not be beneficial.”

Meaning if Noah had been abducted by men who were chasing someone down for money and had no compunction about kidnapping a law enforcement officer, no public plea, no matter how emotional, was going to convince them to return him alive. If he was still alive at all.

Her brain pushed the thought away immediately.

Laura didn’t know any of that.

“Criticizing Noah’s wife right now is not only counterproductive,” Gretchen added icily, “it’s not welcome in my home. If you’re not here to support Josie, then you can get out.”

No more discussion came from the kitchen. Trinity sighed. Then she walked over and took the coffee mug from Josie’s hand. “I’ll take Trout inside. Meet me at my car.”

Josie didn’t bother to ask what her sister would tell the others as to why they’d be MIA today as well. Instead, she peppered Trout’s face with kisses, assured him she’d be back as soon as possible, and slipped out of the yard to go find Trinity’s vehicle.

THIRTY-SEVEN

Eva Owens waited for them on her front porch, smiling brightly as Josie and Trinity made their way up her front walk. The exterior of her single-story brick home was festively adorned with Halloween decorations. The jack-o’-lanterns lining the steps were intricately carved, reminding Josie of Dex’s creations, though not nearly as breathtaking. Eva caught her looking at them.

“I know Halloween is next month, but it’s my favorite time of year! I like to get started early. My granddaughter did those for me. She’s a teenager now but still comes over and carves them just to make Nana happy.”

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