Page 39 of Phoenix Rising

“One of our rooms was broken into tonight.”

“Yours, I take it?”

Reese nodded. “Yes.”

She took out a tablet and typed in notes. “I’m Detective Beaumont with the SPD. Was anything taken?”

“All our belongings were destroyed,” Audria told her.

“Names?”

“For the report, Ross and Amy Green.”

She stopped typing and eyed them. “What? They aren’t your real ones?”

Reese handed her his badge. Her eyes widened. “You’re with the FBI, Mr. Reneau?”

“I am.”

“I’m unaware of any active investigations in our area.”

“There isn’t one. I’m here with my girlfriend, looking for a friend.”

“Why are you searching for your friend, Mr. Reneau?”

Detective Beaumont was suspicious of his answers. He didn’t blame her. “We haven’t heard from her in a while.”

“Have you filed a missing person report?”

“Not yet. She’s done this before, and we’re uncertain she’s missing.”

The detective looked like she wanted to probe deeper. “Were any other rooms broken into?” Her question was for Terry, but she’d yet to take her eyes off him and Audria.

“None that have been reported,” Terry responded.

“It seems odd that you’re here looking for someone, and your room was targeted.”

“It does.”

“I think we need to continue this conversation at the station.”

“Look, Detective, I’ll be open with you.” Reese glanced at Terry. He didn’t fully trust him—the detective, either, at this point.

Detective Beaumont followed his gaze. “Terry is a former police officer until an injury took him from active duty. He’s one of the most honest and respected people I know.”

Reese had gotten that vibe from him and nodded. “My friend is an investigative reporter, and she was working on a story. This is the last place we heard from her. She’s not answering her messages, and her bags were left in her room. As I said, she’s gone dark before, so we’re not sure anything has happened to her. I’m not doing this as an agent with the FBI, but my girlfriend works for one of the country’s top security companies and is helping me investigate.”

“What company is that?”

Audria displayed her credentials. “COBRA Securities.”

Detective Beaumont looked impressed. “Okay.”

“You’re afraid if the cops get involved, she may be harmed,” Terry guessed.

Very astute. “Yes.”

“I’m assuming you’ve already viewed the hallway video,” Detective Beaumont said to Terry.

---