Page 7 of Knight

Menace

“Is it going to be possible for us to have a press conference at the high school?” I question the new city commissioner, Savannah Halburt. She was sworn into office when I was.

She runs a hand through her hair. “I think that makes a significantly loud statement. It’s a great idea. Do we know who may be speaking to the public?”

“The family has asked my wife to do it.”

“Is she okay with that?” Savannah asks, pinning me with her gaze.

“Trust me, if my wife doesn’t want to do something she’s not going to do it.” I smirk and hook my thumbs into my belt loops.

“I think it’ll be good for her to make a statement, as well as to have something coming from the family. I just don’t want her to feel as if she has to do it.”

“Like I said,” I rock back on my heels. “My wife doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to.”

“Is there anything you’re going to be able to tell the town?” she asks quietly. “I know details are slim right now, but is there even a little bit we’ll be able to give out?”

“I want to be careful with what I say,” I start, hoping to not offend her. “To be honest, there isn’t a whole lot either. We’re chasing our tails here. We have no idea where the person came from, where they went, and absolutely no clue where she may have been taken to. I need the residents of Laurel Springs to be able to help me, and in order for me to do that, I have to be as honest as possible while still keeping the pertinent information to myself.”

“I trust you,” she says as she blows out a breath. “I’ve just never been in this type of situation before.”

“None of us have,” I remind her. “No matter how prepared we try to be, no one is ever truly ready for something like this. We’re going to bring her home, but I can’t guarantee when… or how.”

“I know, and I think it’s important we be as open as we can – within reason. What can I do to help you?”

“I need unlimited overtime for my men and women. Whatever we need to use to find her, give me access. Trust me when I tell you we’re doing all we can, but I won’t always be able to be completely honest with you. There are some spots in investigations that are gray areas. You might not like my process…”

“Your process is yours, and if it makes this town safer and brings Taylor back, then do whatever it is you need to.”

As she leaves, I fold my arms over my chest and wonder just how in the fuck we’re going to figure this out. Turning, I see Caleb standing not far away, on the phone. He’s speaking in hushed tones, but the look on his face isn’t one I like. When I get close enough, I can hear.

“Ruby, I don’t know what you want me to do. There’s a lot going on here, I can’t leave right now.”

He runs a hand through his hair and heaves out a huge sigh.

“You knew what you were getting into when you married me. Being a cop isn’t something I started after we knew each other. I can’t change what I have to do. I’m sorry if it’s not working on your timeline or the kids’ timeline, but there’s a missing child.”

I can hear her through the phone. Her voice is shrill, panicked, and on this side of what sounds like a breakdown. “Which is why I think you need to come home and show your face to the ones we have here! They’re scared, Caleb.”

He glances up, seeing me. “We’ll talk about this later, I have to go.”

It doesn’t escape me that he hangs up without telling her he loves her, something I never thought I’d see my son do. “Everything okay?”

“Marriage is work, isn’t that what you’ve always preached? We’re in the working part of our marriage right now.”

Putting my hand on his shoulder, I squeeze tightly. “Do you need to go home? No one is going to think any less of you if you need to head out. If my grandkids are scared, I want you to go home and reassure them that they’re okay.”

He blows out another breath. “It’s what Ruby says these days to get me to come home.”

“Because she wants you there? Why wouldn’t she just ask?”

He nods, wiping at the beard on his face. For the first time in a while, I notice he’s not wearing his wedding ring and my stomach drops. I need everyone in this unit to be on their top game. “She’s smothering me. With everything going on in the world today, she wants me there every second. If I’m not there, she wants to know where I am. I don’t have a moment to myself. She’s never been a clingy type of woman, but in the past six months, something has changed.”

“Have you thought of asking her what it is? If she’s changed, then something must have happened,” I press, wanting as always to fix everything for my firstborn.

“She won’t talk to me about it. I’m to the point where I’m sick of asking. I’m gonna head over to the high school and help get set up for the press conference. If you need anything, let me know.”

As I watch him leave, I can’t help but wonder if there are secrets everyone is hiding, and if it’s true, then what secrets were the Kingston’s hiding? Did they have anything to do with Taylor being taken and the parents being killed?

---