Page 29 of He Doesn't Deserve You

“No, the house is clear,” his partner replied.

“What about the property?” the officer questioned further.

“I’m heading out to check now,” his partner responded, then turned and left the living room, stepping outside to continue the search.

Over the next hour, the crime scene lab meticulously processed the house but found no new evidence aside from the blood smear. The officer received a call confirming that the homeowner was Jim Longford, an eighty-two-year-old widower. Further investigation revealed that Jim drove a 2016 gray Honda Civic with the license plate number HDX 9170. This critical information was promptly added to the Amber Alert,indicating that Roman and Ava might be traveling in the mentioned vehicle.

“What now?” Emily asked the officer as the crime scene technicians began packing up to leave.

“We’re done here,” the officer replied, his voice tinged with resignation. “Now we wait for updates from the Amber Alert.” He glanced at Emily; sympathy evident in his eyes. “I can give you a ride back to the station. Do you have someone you can call to pick you up from there?”

“Yes,” Emily nodded. “But I’d like to stick around awhile just in case any news comes in.”

He offered a reassuring smile, “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

16

Gabriel was packing up his desk, ready to leave the office after another stressful workday. The lack of sleep and constant worry were beginning to take their toll, affecting his already faltering productivity. He carefully placed some files into his briefcase, snapped it shut, and then stood to leave when his partner, Dr. Samuel Lucas, popped his head into the office.

“Got a minute?” Dr. Lucas asked.

Gabriel sighed, “I was just leaving. Can this wait till tomorrow?”

Dr. Lucas stepped fully into the office and closed the door behind him. “I’m afraid it can’t,” he replied, his tone serious.

“What is it now?” Gabriel asked, sinking back into his chair. He was too fatigued to stand, anticipating the long conversation that was sure to follow.

“What’s going on with you, Gabriel? “You haven’t been yourself lately,” Samuel said, concern etched on his face.

“Nothing. I’ve just been a little stressed,” Gabriel replied, attempting to downplay the situation.

“I’ve noticed, and frankly, we all have,” Samuel said, his voice steady but firm. “Several nurses have mentioned that they’ve been spotting some amateur mistakes.”

Gabriel’s frustration boiled over. He slammed his fist on the desk. “Who?” he demanded.

“It doesn’t matter who,” Samuel responded, studying Gabriel intently. After a moment, he asked, “Are you having problems in your marriage?”

Gabriel shook his head, trying to dismiss the concern. “No, Emily and I are fine,” he insisted.

Samuel raised an eyebrow. “I’ve heard the rumors, Gabe,” he said pointedly. “Is there something going on with you and Maggie?”

“No!” Gabriel exclaimed, but the weight of the past week finally overcame him. His whole body began to tremble as he broke down. “She left me,” he confessed, his voice cracking under the strain.

Samuel rose from his seat and walked around the desk, placing a comforting hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” he said softly.

Tears welled up in Gabriel’s eyes as he choked out, “I have to get her back.”

Suddenly, the shrill sound of their cell phones alarming broke the silence. Both men quickly reached for their phones and saw it was an Amber Alert—a child had been abducted. Gabriel’s heart stopped when he opened the alert and saw his daughter’s name flash across the screen. In an instant, urgency propelled him out of his chair, and he sprinted out of the office.

“Where are you going?” Samuel shouted after the fleeing Gabriel unaware that it was his daughter who was missing.

Gabriel arrived at the police station in record time, hurtling past the reception desk and disregarding the officer chasing after him and shouting, “Sir, you can’t go back there!”

Without hesitation, he made his way straight to the detective’s desk— the same detective who had taken his kidnapping report. “What the hell is going on?” Why didn’t you call me?” he demanded, his voice edged with frustration.

“I just learned about it myself,” Detective Johnson tried to explain,his tone steady but urgent. “If you’ll calm down, I’ll take you to your wife and the officer who processed the disappearance.”

A look of surprise washed over Gabriel’s face. “My wife is here?”

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