Page 58 of What We May Be

She turned to Diego. “Where’s Beth Martin?”

“She had class at nine this morning. I diverted Jaylen on his way in to pick her up.”

Charlie glanced at her watch. “It’s nine thirty. They should be here by now. Call Jaylen and see what the delay is.”

Diego withdrew his cell and followed Abel into the bullpen, skirting by Trevor in the doorway.

Trevor stepped into the room as he pulled his wet hair into a knot. “Good lead?”

Charlie flipped over the phone records before he could see them. “Promising, though we’re going to need to keep you here a little longer.”

“Why?” he asked, though judging by his faded jeans, flip-flops, and HU gym shirt, he’d already planned for a day at the station. Or Annie had and packed his bag accordingly.

Diego appeared in the doorway, interrupting before she could answer. “Beth was a no-show at class. Jaylen got her address and went by her house.”

“And?”

“No one’s home. From a peek inside her windows, Jaylen said it looks like she left in a hurry. I told him to sit on it until we got there with a warrant.”

“I’ll call in the APB,” Charlie said. “Get started on that warrant.”

“Let me know when you have the warrant ready,” Marsh interjected. “Judge Abernathy was the JAG on base where I was stationed. I’ll get it expedited.”

“Will do,” Diego said.

“Thank you,” Charlie added.

“Sure thing,” he said with a wink as Sean handed his cup to Trevor and walked around the table to Marsh’s other side.

“You better get going,” he told him. “They’re reading the will at ten.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Of course.” Sean squeezed his shoulder. “You need anything, call me.”

Curiosity tickled Charlie’s senses again, but now wasn’t the time to ask or interfere. Marsh—and by extension Sean—had enough on their minds. As Sean walked Marsh out, Charlie grabbed her coffee and took a seat, beckoning Trevor to do the same.

He remained standing, glaring at his coffee cup. “This is empty.”

“Blame that one,” she said, gesturing to Sean, who was on his way back across the bullpen.

“Thief!” He growled playfully as Sean reentered the room. “What’s going on with Beth Martin?”

“You know her?” Sean asked around a smile.

“Personally, no, but I’ve passed her on campus from time to time. She teaches French. I do know she was on that list I made yesterday.” He tossed the empty cup at Sean, then claimed the seat next to Charlie. “Is she missing now? Is she a suspect?”

Sean pitched the cup into the trash can and lowered himself into the chair on the other side of Trevor. “Maybe let us do some more digging first.”

“Just tell me.”

Charlie took a deep breath and lowered the hammer. “We think Tracy might be involved.”

* * *

“Clear,” Jaylen called from one side of Beth Martin’s cottage.

“Clear,” Diego returned from the living room on the other side.

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