Page 6 of Forged in Steele

“Other. As of today, my family’s company provides security guards for this facility.”

“I remember. Steele Guardians, right?”

She nodded. “And before you tell me it’s our guard’s fault that this baby went missing because we’re new at this site, many of our seasoned people are assigned here today.” She opened her mouth as if to add something then clamped it closed.

Defensive much?He would circle back to that later, but for now, he would find out more about her and the company charged with guarding this facility. “You work two jobs?”

“I’m leaving the force in three weeks.”

One of those.Stay cool. Keep your opinion to yourself.

No one needed to know how he felt about law enforcement officers who leave the job. Too many had jumped ship because of societal pressures. She likely had a good reason to go, and he shouldn’t think she was bailing like he’d done when things got serious between them.

“I’m assuming your staff is already reviewing the security footage.” He swallowed away the shock of seeing her and tried to impart in his tone that he believed himself in charge.

“They are.” She continued to eye him and not in a good way.

So she didn’t like him taking charge. If they ended up working together, they would need to have a talk to be sure their past stayed firmly there—in the past.

“The minute we finish with the parents, I’ll want to see anything your staff thinks is significant,” he said. “My team will also want to review all the feeds for this past week.”

“We can make it availableifyou’re assigned to the investigation.” She shifted on her feet, her ankle giving out, and she had to grab the counter to right herself. Her feet with pink toenails constantly in flip-flips at camp came to mind.

“A week of footage will be a lot to cover,” she said.

“Can’t be helped,” Jared said. “Unless the parents give us conflicting information, we’ll start with the typical infant abduction premise.”

Bristol gave a sharp nod. “Suspect will be a woman who desires to have her own child. Maybe replacing a child or lost pregnancy. Or to appease a significant other who she thinks will leave her if she can’t have a child.”

“Exactly,” he said, impressed at her knowledge. “A typical abductor makes frequent recon visits to the hospital and birthing center before attempting the abduction. She could be recorded on earlier security footage. We’ll start with this week and then go back further if needed. She likely scoped out nearby hospitals too, and we’ll request footage from them.”

“I’m sure we’ll have the baby in hand long before that becomes necessary.”

He nodded, but his past experience with abduction proved such a statement could be untrue.

“If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I need to make a call.” She stepped away, moving well out of earshot.

Did she need a private conversation because she was trying to hide something from him? His trust in others hadn’t been the same for years, but surely he could trust her, couldn’t he?

She paced as she talked, her ankles wobbling a few times, and she shoved her hand into that thick mop of hair that he’d always loved running his fingers through. She’d had long hair back when they dated and it remained as thick and shiny.

She abruptly spun and marched back to him.

“Anything wrong?” he asked.

“Maybe.” Her sharp tone warned him not to ask for additional information, and his unease grew.

He would press the issue, but Coglin ended his call and rejoined them.

The administrator shoved his phone into his jacket pocket and smoothed the pricey fabric. “You’ve got our executive room on the first floor. It’s private and has all the amenities you’ll need. After we talk to the parents, I’ll get you a key card. Bristol, yours will work there.”

This guy moved fast, something that could make a big difference in finding the baby.

The nurse came back with the shoe covers, and the three of them put them on while she bit her lip and watched. Coglin led them to Room 332, their booties whispering over the tile floor. He entered.

Bristol stopped near the guard. “Glad to see you assigned here, Damon.”

“Zeke had me in the atrium, but Teagan repositioned me here.”

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