Page 24 of Out of the Shadows
“Which most likely means his battery died,” he said carefully.
“He always calls me back!” Sydney’s voice rose. “Always! We were supposed to go up to his friend’s cabin in Flagstaff, and we were going to hike and just hang out, and he canceled!”
Laura hadn’t told him that. “When?” Jack asked.
“This weekend!”
“When did he cancel?”
“Friday. Why? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. I’m putting together a timeline.”
“But I heard you talking to Uncle Logan! He’s not at his condo, no one knows where he is. What if something happened to him?”
Jack stepped forward, put a hand on her shoulder. “Sydney, I know you’re worried about your dad. My sister and I are going to find him. It’s what we do.”
“I thought you were like a bodyguard or something? That’s why you’re here, because of the break-in. Are they going to come back?”
He squeezed her shoulder. “I don’t think so, but if they do, I’ll be here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your mom or your brother.”
“What about Uncle Logan? What if they go after him? We don’t even know what they want!”
Sydney was working herself up almost to hysteria, and Jack didn’t know what to say to give her peace.
“I’ve already talked to Logan about being careful, and he has security at the resort. My sister Margo is going to come over later to meet you all. You’ll like her and she’s very good at her job. Her first priority is to find your dad, and my priority is to keep you all safe. Okay?”
Sydney nodded. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so emotional right now.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
Laura came into the kitchen. “What are you apologizing for?”
“No one knows where Dad is, and I’m worried.”
“Me, too, sweetheart, but Jack and his sister are looking for him.”
“I’m going to call Jenny,” Sydney said and went down the hall to her room.
“You’re good with Sydney,” Laura said.
“You have two great kids,” he said.
“I was shaken last night, I can only imagine how Sydney feels. Cody? Nothing much seems to faze him—unless one of the animals is hurt.”
“You didn’t tell me Charlie canceled his weekend with the kids.”
“I didn’t think of it, but yes, he did.”
“When?”
“He called me Friday around lunchtime. I was in the clinic and talked to him between patients. I was angry, because this wasn’t the first time, and the kids are always disappointed. He wanted next weekend, like we swap or something, but next weekend is Fourth of July, and I have plans for us. So I said no, and I’m always afraid the kids are going to be mad at me when Charlie is the one who always changes things on us.”
“You have to do what’s right for your family. It’s not easy.”
“It’s not,” she agreed, “but the work is worth it. Like you said, I have two great kids.”
Jack glanced at his watch. It was noon. “I need to talk to your neighbors, check out any security cameras. But first I’m going to walk the perimeter again.”
