Page 50 of Knight's Fall

What was he missing? What clue laid down the road she walked or in the yard where she dropped her phone? What happened to make her leave her phone before she could text him? What was happening to her right now while he was struggling to find a lead to her location?

“Who are all these people?”

Any other time he would have tuned out Olivia’s question, but she was the one person who understood the level of panic he was feeling but trying to hide. He glanced over at her before his eyes swept over the area where his family roamed carefully, searching for the woman they didn’t know well but knew was important to him.

They all were there. The Alpha Team, the Delta Team, all of the investigators, Jordan and Stella, and Tristin. Kat had even joined Sydney and Owen at his house, running a digital search for any clue that could help the rest of them. Davi and Stephanie were watching over the twins so all of those who loved him could be here to help him.

He suspected it was in part because they knew what he refused to say out loud — that when he fell, he fell hard, and he had fallen hard for Courtlyn McNeal.

He was aware of Olivia’s questioning gaze as she waited for him to answer her.

“They’re all co-workers, but more friends and family than colleagues.”

“Wow,” she breathed. “I can’t believe they all came. The police won’t even come for another day or so.”

“They know Courtlyn’s important to me. If anyone can find her, it will be these guys. They’re the best at what they do.”

“Aren’t you guys PIs and security guards or something?”

“Or something.”

She studied him, and he refused to say anymore. Finally, she nodded.

“I’m glad to have their help and yours. You’re important to Coco too. I hope you know that.”

Before he could reply, he saw Sydney rushing up to him. He hustled forward to meet her halfway, trying not to become hopeful that she found a lead. By her solemn expression, he knew the gist of what she would tell him before she spoke.

“There’s nothing unusual on Courtlyn’s phone.”

He sensed Olivia coming up behind him, but he focused on Sydney and her report. “Tell me.”

“All of her calls are from the diner or Olivia, and most recently there are a few from you. Same with the texts. I did call the diner to let them know she wouldn’t be in today. I didn’t give them specifics, but she had a notification pop up that she had the early shift today, so I figured they’d be expecting her. Her boss didn’t seem too happy, but she said she would call in the weekend cook to fill in.”

“At least she won’t have to deal with that stupid waitress who’s bullying her all the time,” Olivia muttered behind him.

“Courtlyn has a bully?”

Wings turned at Jay’s question, not realizing his friend had approached them. “Some waitress at the diner gives her a hard time.”

Olivia uttered a loudhumph. “Her name is Sissy Reeser. She’s been a bitch to Courtlyn since she started working there. I keep telling Coco she doesn’t have to put up with her, but Coco didn’t want to make waves. The job pays well, and she’s only there long enough to save up for her food truck.”

Jay looked from Olivia to Wings. “Is she enough of a bully to try to do something to Courtlyn outside of the diner?”

Wings shook his head. “I don’t think so. Courtlyn acted like it was no big deal.”

“At this point, it might be worth checking out. Has Courtlyn mentioned anyone else harassing her? Maybe a customer at the diner?”

“Her boss Tabby would probably know,” Olivia mentioned.

Wings scowled. “Actually, there’s a customer that’s been coming in recently. I saw him the last time I was there. I forget his name, but he comes in and asks for Courtlyn specifically to wait on him. He waits until the diner is slow, so she’s free to leave the kitchen. He was watching us closely, almost like he was being overprotective or something.”

“Mac!” Olivia shouted. “That’s not his name, but that’s what people call him. He mentioned it to Coco because that’s what Sissy calls her. Coco hates that name. We had this guy in high school that would call her Easy Mac until I broke his nose. When Sissy found out how much Coco hates the name, she never stopped using it. Anyway, Coco said the customer was looking to relocate to Grayson Cove and was asking about properties to rent. She said he seemed lonely and was basically harmless, though.”

“We should check him out too, just to be safe,” Jay added. “At this point, it’s all we have to go on, so we can’t leave any stone unturned.”

“I can search property records, but I need more than just Mac for the search,” Sydney said. “Think her boss would know his full name?”

Olivia shrugged. “Maybe. Coco said he would only deal with her though, so I’m not sure.”

---