Page 36 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
I follow him out of the truck, but I stay back when he approaches the men. Their discussion seems angry.
"You need to find her!" A large man snaps the second he notices Maddox.
"I just arrived, so start from the beginning," Maddox says.
Another man steps in. "My sister has disappeared. Her phone is in her room. She never goes anywhere without her phone. Not even to the bathroom. Her suitcase has been knocked over, and her clothes are scattered across the floor. She's OCD about being tidy. She can't have anything lying around. She saw the creep behind the B&B, and now something has happened to her.”
"You have to find her," another man begs.
Maddox rubs his chest and looks my way. “Can you go tell Branson what’s going on?”
I nod and quickly head inside the station. Judean stands behind the reception desk amidst files. Her face lights up whenshe spots me. "We'll catch up soon, but I need to talk to Branson right now. Where is he?"
"In his office."
I stare, not having a clue where that is.
"Back there. You can't miss it. The feds are with him."
“I think they're needed, too." I rush past a frowning Judean and follow the soft sound of voices. I knock, then enter and find Branson behind his desk with a deep frown on his face. "Maddox and Landon are outside. The girl who reported the man behind the B&B has disappeared."
His eyes widen as he jumps to his feet. He grabs his hat. “Sofie, stay with Judean."
I nod.
Branson and the two agents head outside.
"A girl's gone missing," I tell Judean, explaining what's going on. I slouch on the counter between us. "Great first day, huh?"
"I'm used to emergencies and officers running out of the building. I suspect it's unusual here, though."
"How's it going otherwise? Are you organizing the station?"
She smiles, her eyes dancing. "I am. Whoever had this job before me wasn't very organized." She moves closer and whispers, "I already love this job. Branson will be a great boss. Landon is lazy. I discovered that within thirty minutes of being here. But I really like it here, Sofie. The town. The brothers. Some of the townspeople have even come by to welcome me. I met Angie and Bud. They invited me to their bar for a drink on the house.” She smirks. "Angie told me the single guys hang out there, too."
"Hmph," I mutter. "What about Colton?"
"What about him?" Judean doesn't meet my gaze.
"Seriously,Juju,” I grin. "That man has the hots for you."
Her eyes narrow at the nickname. "He wants anyone with a pussy."
A loud throat clears behind us. Judean snaps her gaze over my shoulder, and I slowly turn, knowing Branson is the one who overheard her.
"We brought sandwiches,” I say, redirecting his gaze. “Lots of them. Maddox called in an order for a couple of flasks of coffee from Patricia's."
"Nice change of subject," he comments.
I roll my eyes. "She," I say, pointing over my shoulder, "was referring to your youngest sibling."
"Thank God for that." He turns his gaze to Judean. "I'm heading out with Landon, and the feds. You can reach us on the radio or cell."
"Okay, boss," Judean says.
"Will you be okay here alone?" Branson pauses.
"I'll be here, so she won't be alone." I shrug. "I'm not doing anything Samantha planned, so I can stay and help Judean get organized."
