Page 28 of Forged in Steele

“Glad to.” She didn’t care about the reason, she was stoked to be involved in any capacity and to continue in the investigation.

“Lead the way.” He gestured at the door.

She started off, and he stopped next to Reed. Sierra’s husband was tall, fit, had near-black hair and wore an equally dark suit with a white shirt that brought out his deep coloring. He was directing task force members in setting up a timeline, but paused to look at Jared.

“We’re heading up to the parents’ room to show them the suspect’s photo,” Jared said. “You have my phone number in case you need me, right?”

“I do.” Reed smiled at Bristol. “Glad to see we have a Steele on the task force.”

She nodded, thankful he didn’t mind the potential conflict of interest.

“I’ll let you know if anything actionable comes up while you’re gone,” Reed said.

“Thanks, man.” Jared pushed the door open.

Bristol stepped through. In the hallway, she held up her phone. “We should swap numbers too.”

Jared got out his phone, and they made the exchange as they walked to the elevator. She pocketed her phone, feeling somehow closer to him by having a way to contact him at all times. So many years had passed since they’d been head over heels. Time when she’d often wondered what he’d done and become. Now, if she chose, she could keep in touch with him after the investigation ended.

Would she choose? Would he even want that? Not likely on either account.

In the elevator, he looked at her. “I’d like you to take lead on this questioning and request the phones.”

Wow! He was giving her lead in a crucial interview. Sure, he could jump in if she failed or did a bad job, but still, he was showing that he believed in her skills. A big deal for her. “Glad to.”

He took a prepaid cell phone from his pocket. “Colin has set their phones to forward to this device so if the kidnapper calls while we have the parents’ phones, they can take the call.”

“You think this could be a ransom kidnapping?”

“It’s always a possibility, but it’s not reading like one. At least not yet.” He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.

Was he taking a second to recharge or pray? They’d met at a Christian camp, and she supposed he might’ve turned his back on his faith, but she doubted it. He’d once had a firm handle on his faith and lived it in his life even more than she did at that time. She’d learned a lot from him, and he was instrumental in making her want to be a better Christian. A better person.

Until he bailed.

She couldn’t reconcile that behavior with the person she’d thought him to be. Her faith took a nosedive that day. A deep one. She’d struggled hard for years to maintain a Christian worldview. She was too busy trying to will her heart not to fall to pieces. But then Thomas was murdered. Oh, man, that did it. Took her to the edge and her faith plummeted, crashing and burning on impact.

Sure she still believed in God. But she didn’t feel His presence in her life like she once had. Like she wanted to. Wouldn’t it be something if being with Jared again helped her to regain it?

The elevator doorswhooshedopen, and she stepped out first. She nodded at their company guard at the birthing center door, a woman Bristol didn’t know, but her nametag read Sandy. Bristol started to move past her.

Sandy stepped in Bristol’s way and planted her feet. “Could I see your ID please?”

Jared snorted.

Bristol gave him the stink eye and held out her badge for Sandy.

“Oh, Ms. Steele.” Sandy blushed the same red as the trim on her uniform. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

“No worries. I’m glad you asked. Shows that you do your job well.” Bristol smiled at Sandy. “And this is Agent Jared Wolfe with the FBI.”

“Um, no offense to either of you.” Sandy bit her lip. “But sir, can I see your ID too.”

“No offense taken.” Jared held out his badge.

Sandy’s face colored again. “Thanks for understanding.”

Bristol used her card to access the birthing center, and they made their way to the new room where the Pratts had been relocated.

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