Page 302 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

Wade stood. “I need to get back to work.”

“You won’t do Jamie any good if you don’t find time to sleep.”

“I tried to sleep, but the images in my mind won’t let me rest.”

“I’ll be praying.”

He picked up his keys, and Ruger sat up and barked. “I didn’t take him on his run. If you’re going, would you mind taking him along.”

“I’d be glad for his company.”

“And Gavin’s. Don’t leave the house without him, okay?”

At the sound of his name, Gavin appeared in the doorway dressed in gym shorts and a sleeveless shirt. “I see you made it home,” Gavin said.

“I did, but I’m leaving now.”

Gavin nodded, and Wade turned to leave. Once he was gone, Gavin slid into the seat he’d vacated. “Are you all right?”

“I’ve been better.”

“He’s not purposely shutting you out.”

“I think you’re wrong.”

“Trust me. I’m not.”

“He’s choosing to withhold information pertinent to the case. That’s intentional.”

“That’s his job.”

She sighed. “Do you feel like running? You’re dressed for it.”

“A morning run would be great.”

She grabbed Ruger’s leash and slipped it onto his collar. He wagged his appreciation, and the three of them headed out the door, but not before Gavin checked to make sure the house was secure.

Five o’clock Tuesday evening,Emily rode silently beside Gavin as she fretted over Jamie’s disappearance and Wade’s absence. Her mind wandered back to Nora and the parallel between her disappearance and Jamie’s. Wade’s behavior was nearly identical to her own eleven years earlier, with the sole difference being his role in the investigation. She hadn’t been privy to the detectives’ files when Nora went missing, but she did everything she could to find her sister. She couldn’t fault him for doing whatever it took to bring Jamie back safely. In the meantime, she needed a distraction.

“Gavin, would you mind if I went out tonight to meet my friend Sam for dinner?”

“Not at all. Give me an hour to get another pair of eyes on you.”

“It’ll take Sam longer than that to get here.” She texted Sam to see if she could get away. The response came back quickly.

Sam: I’ve been wondering when I’d hear from you. I’m desperate for an update on the case. I’ll meet you at 7:00 p.m. at O’Brian’s Mug.

Emily: Perfect. I’ll see you there.

She felt bad that Sam would have to drive so far, but she’d return the favor the first chance she had.

An hour and a half later, she sat across from her friend in their favorite booth. Gavin found a seat nearby where he could discreetly keep an eye on her without drawing attention to his presence. He’d mentioned another bodyguard would be there, but she hadn’t been able to identify who it might be.

“I saw on the news about that cop. Didn’t you attend her wedding a few weeks ago?”

“Yes. She and Wade are good friends. He thinks she invited me as a date for him.”

“Meddling, but sweet.”

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