Page 22 of Girl Lost
Luna looked up at Corbin and saw his grim face, his jaw working. He stared down at Abercorn and his eyes blazed with an intensity that both thrilled and terrified her.
She’d never seen this side of him before.
And she wasn’t sure what it meant.
“You’re under arrest,” Corbin growled. He began reading Abercorn his rights. He sounded like he’d done it a million times.
She watched him, her heart still pounding against her ribs. He was different now. The boy she’d known, the one who’d held her hand under the bleachers, the one who’d whispered promises in the darkness of the gym, he was gone. Replaced by this ... this stranger. This cop.
The required Miranda warning finished, Corbin looked her up and down. His cop eyes cataloged every inch, searching for injuries she probably didn’t even know she had. “You okay?”
“I’ve been worse.” She looked away, unable to meet his gaze all of a sudden.
“I need to take him in,” he said. “You want to ride with me?”
Ride with him? Spend more time trapped in a car together? She couldn’t do it. He may have earned a little respect back there, but he still had a long way to go.
She was robbed of a response by the black SUV that slammed to a halt behind her. The door flew open.
A man in a dark suit hopped out. Tall. Broad shoulders. Silver hair slicked back. Face flushed. “King!” He stormed to Corbin. “You better have a good explanation for defying a direct order!”
Commissioner Jeffery Tinch. Corbin’s boss. She’d done her research. His words boomed in a tsunami of anger that crashed into Luna. She took a step back.
Corbin stood stiff. Shoulders squared. “Commissioner. Sir, I—”
“You, you what?” A vein throbbed at the man’s temple. “My daughter is missing, and you’re out here chasing down some two-bitmeth head? And Salas? Burned half to death!” His gaze snapped to Luna, eyes like ice. “And I suppose this is the civilian you brought along and nearly got killed on your unauthorized operation.”
Corbin flinched. He still didn’t look at her. “Broward County asked FDLE for additional resources and—”
“Don’t give me that, Agent!” Tinch’s words came like a whip crack. “We both know you’re freelancing on this. Playing hero for your old pal Stryker. I get it. He’s like family. But my daughter is family too. I gave you a direct order. Carlie is your only priority. Period. I don’t care if the Mother Mary herself is missing, you understand?”
“Yes sir. But sir, Stryker is a good man.” Corbin stood tall, meeting Tinch’s gaze. “He’s helped a lot of people, including me. I couldn’t just stand by and—”
“I understand your loyalty,” Tinch cut him off again. “But right now, your loyalty belongs to this case. To my daughter. You will drop everything else and focus on finding Carlie. Is that clear?”
“Crystal clear, sir.” Corbin motioned toward the patrol car where two officers were loading a handcuffed Abercorn. “Can I just wrap things up here? Then I’ll be back on Carlie’s case, no distractions.”
“He can work both, sir.” Luna stepped forward, meeting Tinch’s gaze. “With my help.”
Tinch’s eyebrows dropped low. “And why would I allow that? I have no idea who you are or why King would even think of bringing you in on this.”
She met his stare, channeling the confidence that had served her well in countless interrogations. “I recently resigned from a federal agency. The details are classified, but I can assure you my background and skills are appropriate.”
“You invited a federal agent into this case without talking to me?”
“No, sir.” She didn’t give Corbin a chance to respond. “I offered my services. I was present during the execution of the search warrant this afternoon. As a consultant.”
“A consultant.” Tinch jerked his chin up. “And who’s paying for this?”
“I’m not charging a fee. I’ll work with Blade—” She caught herself. “Detective St. James’s task force on the kidnapping case, and I’ll help King find your daughter.” She held Tinch’s gaze. “My former supervisor can vouch for my credentials. If you’ll give me your number, I’ll have him call you.”
Corbin shook his head. “Sir, I don’t need—”
“I don’t want to hear it. You brought her along in the first place,” Tinch said. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in right now? You disobeyed a direct order. I could have your badge over this.”
“Sir, I know how much this hurts,” Luna said. “Believe me, I do. I lost someone too. Someone I’d do anything to find.” A daughter she hadn’t seen in eighteen years, and now ... Stryker. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could help. Let me help you bring her home.”
Tinch studied her for a long moment. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. He seemed to like the idea of an extra investigator at no cost to his budget.
