Page 47 of The Wolves Come at Night
She grabbed the jeans. “Then I’m going to the hospital. I can’t sit here anymore. I’m doing no one any good weeping in my bedroom.”
He looked at her long and hard. “The police might misinterpret—”
“Fuck the police. And fuck you. I’m going.”
“Before you do anything, I need you to unring the bell with the Nashville police. From what Santiago said, the captain down there isn’t the type to let your conversation sit.”
“What am I supposed to say?”
“That there was a sighting, and you were worried about trying to get word to her. You’re a grieving mom who’s never been in trouble before. She’ll believe you if you’re careful. Santi has gone to get another phone. Will you please, please, just lie down for a little while and let us fix things?
“I’m never going to forgive you, Alan.”
“I know,” he said, sadly.
Somehow, she slept. Her body was well tuned to sleep when needed, even in a crisis, and she fell back on her training to do just that. She had thought she was too keyed up, but her mind was spinning from all she’d learned over the past twenty-four hours, and her subconscious agreed she needed a break. When she came to, it was still dark, and there were voices in the living room. She recognized the cadences of Alan and Santiago, but there was another voice, speaking with urgency.
Carson!
The men all turned when she rushed into the living room. She was right, a third man was there. Detective Turley. The man who investigated her husband’s death.
Before she could even open her mouth, Alan was by her side.
“Avery, are you okay? You look like you need to sit down.” He had a hand on her bicep, squeezing it hard in warning. She shot him a questioning look. He shook his head and she nodded. He let her go.
“Detective, is there news? Have you found Carson?”
Jeremy Turley was a good guy, she recalled. Earnest, thoughtful, truly devastated for her. If you only knew, she thought. If you had any idea you are sitting with the very men who caused Richard’s death…
“No, Dr. Conway, we haven’t, not yet. I’ll be heading to Nashville as soon as we finish talking. I just wanted to touch base before I took off, to let you know I insisted on working Carson’s case. We have traps on your phones, so if a call comes in, we’ll be able to trace it.”
“Speaking of. Your new phone came while you were asleep, Avery,” Santiago said, handing over a new iPhone. “I’ve already got it charged and set up for you. Dr. Conway dropped her phone in a sink of soapy water,” he explained to Turley. “We couldn’t get it to turn back on.”
The ease with which he lied astounded her. But it was also an apology.
“Throw it in a bag of rice,” Turley suggested. “Might work. Do you have any questions for me, Dr. Conway?”
“What happens now?” she managed.
“We continue searching for Carson. Physical search, digital search, the works. That’s why I’m going to Nashville. They’re already up and running. You’re in good hands here.”
“I’d like to go with you,” she blurted.
All three men made negative noises. Turley patted her knee. “I know you do, and you’re welcome to if you want. But there’s not much you can do there that you can’t do here. Continue the public pleas, that’s the most effective tack. Stay plugged in. We’ll bring her home. I swear.”
He stood, brushing his hands down the front of his pants. “Hang in. It’s going to be okay.”
“I’ll see you to the door,” Alan said.
When Turley was gone, Santiago ducked his head. “Forgive me. I overreacted. Seriously, Avery, we’re trying to keep you safe.”
“Funny way of showing it.”
“You’re a smart woman, and you know in your heart we are telling you the truth. I promised not to lie. I swear, that will not happen again. We were worried we might have to move you, in case Game comes for you, too, but we’ve decided we’re going to stay here. While you were out—and trust me, you needed some sleep, you haven’t rested in days—we set our defenses. This place is hardened. Your new phone is encrypted, there’s not a chance of anyone listening in. We just needed some time.”
She shook her head.
“You went too far, Santi. Now the police will be suspicious. You should have let me talk to her.”
