Page 74 of Awakening the Sheriff

Frowning, I turned the handle and pushed the door open. The room was empty. Worry tickled my insides. Byron hadn’t mentioned going anywhere today. I walked back down to Milton.

“Did Byron say anything about going out?” I asked, trying to keep the concern from my voice.

Milton shook his head. “He didn’t walk home with me after school. He texted me, saying he was hanging out with a friend.”

“Can I see the text?”

Milton handed me his phone, and there it was: a simple message from Byron, not mentioning the name of the friend. And that was what concerned me. As far as I knew, Byron didn’t have friends here in Forestville.

“Thanks, Milton.” I handed the phone back to him.

I was overreacting, right? Maybe Byron had made a new friend and hadn’t mentioned it yet. Maybe he’d found someone to hang out with just today and was so excited he’d lost track of time. Or he’d gone for a walk. But none of those explanations sounded convincing.

I pulled out my phone and sent him a text, asking where he was. A minute passed, then two, with no response.

“Byron, this isn’t funny,” I muttered, dialing his number and pressing the phone to my ear. It rang once, twice, three times…but he didn’t pick up. My heart raced faster with each unanswered ring, my mind conjuring up all sorts of scenarios.

Oh, wait, I could see his location. I’d rarely used it, but I had set up the boys’ phones so I could see where they were. But when I checked, Byron’s could not be found. He’d turned it off.

“Everything okay, Dad?” Milton asked.

“I’m a little confused where your brother is. But no worries. I’m sure he’s fine.”

Was I trying to convince him or myself? I couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong. Very wrong. And now, all I wanted was to hear my son’s voice, to know he was okay.

Desperation set in as I dialed Auden’s number. Please let him pick up.

“Hey. What time are you coming over?”

“Auden…” My voice broke.

“What’s wrong?”

“Byron’s missing. He didn’t come home from school. He told Milton he was hanging out with a friend, but he doesn’t have any, and he’s not answering his phone. He turned off his location as well. I’m worried sick. This is not like him.”

“Take a deep breath for me.” Auden’s voice was steady and calm, and as always, his unruffled demeanor helped. “When did you discover him missing?”

“Minutes ago. I had a meeting at school that ran late.”

“What time was he supposed to be home?”

“Four.”

“So you discovered he was gone around six?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Hold on a sec.”

He said something to someone else, but I couldn’t make out the too-soft words.

“I’m on my way over right now. Hang in there, baby.”

Not even hearing that sweet term of endearment from him for the first time could dislodge the fear in my heart.

When Auden arrived, I flung open the door and fell into his arms, seeking comfort and solace. He held me tight, pressing a warm kiss against my lips. “We’ll find him, baby. Let’s not jump to conclusions yet.”

“Thank you.” I pulled away and let him inside. Milton watched us from the living room.

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