Chapter 34
I ram the truck into park and eject from the seat. Truck is hot on my heels. I’ve got a phone in one hand, and my eyes on pivot, sweeping over the small town, looking for Camile.
“Marshall, this is Beast.”
“How are things going?’
“Fucked.”
He waits. I exhale. “Look, I need to step down?—”
“Whoa. Back the fuck up.”
I tug my baseball cap off and swipe my forearm over my face. “I’m turning things over to Evan, you might want to send in a replacement.”
He makes a growling sound. “What didn’t you hear about me saying back the fuck up. Start at the beginning.”
My chest is burning, my gut is in a pretzel. “Fuck.”
Truck strides over, mostly covering up his limp. “Don’t let him quit!”
“See,” Marshall says. “Now what’s going on?”
“A woman.”
There’s a snort on the other end. “Say no more.”
I can’t even get my damned throat to work, my mouth is so dry. “She’s in the wind, and I’ve got to get to the bottom of whatever shit she’s tangled up in.”
He’s chuckling.
“Not funny.”
“Didn’t say it was. Just remembering what a mess I was when I met Danee. Now, let’s sort this. You do what you gotta do. I’ll send some back up. How’s the case going?”
“Slow as fucking molasses. But we probably have a lead on one of her travel companions. Unfortunately, he’s in a coma.”
Marshall grunts. “Well, he’s going to be hard to get intel from. That’s unfortunate. I’m confident you guys will find another trail. I know these things take time.”
“I don’t like it,” I mutter as I jerk my hat back onto my head.
“Look, I know your team is solid. They’ll keep pushing forward. Chase your woman. Clear your head up, and we’ll get back on track after.”
I’m speechless. “Are you sure? I don’t take this shit lightly. I made a commitment.”
“I know you don’t. That’s why you got the job.”
I grip the phone and hang my head. “Thanks, Marshall. I’ll report in STAT.”
He says his goodbye and disconnects. Truck and Justice are looking at me.
I’m not happy.
What is the woman thinking? “Goddammit. Does she have a death wish?”
Truck steps in front of me. “Let me talk to Tom. One fight was enough for today.”
I glare at him for a second but know he’s right. Truck can handle her boss’s messenger. Then he needs to get on the road to the hospital so he can work on MZ’s case since Evan’s going to be flying.
My case. Our case. The work I’m supposed to be concentrating on.
I feel like screaming.
Belle watches me warily as I pace by. I grumble, “I need to talk to Camile.”
The entire FamFind team looks shell shocked. Or scared I’m going to snap. Entirely possible. It’s already happened once today.
I stalk around the work area. Camile’s not behind the trucks. Nor inside the box truck that didn’t get burned.
After that, I walk the street. Up and down. Asking people if they’ve seen her. With each passing second, my worry triples.
Justice meets me in the middle of the earthquake-damaged road. He looks as tense as I am. That’s rare for the man. He’s a badass operator, but the former SEAL has the uncanny ability of looking like he’s taking a stroll in the park. No matter what shit goes down.
He motions over his shoulder. “I checked with a couple of the teams. No one has seen her.” He squints into the sun as he looks toward the far end of town. “We know she doesn’t have a car, how would she get out of here? It’s a long walk on foot, and I don’t think she’d take a chance of walking with the rebel activity.”
What I’m about to say really makes my vision go dark. “She could have caught a ride with one of the rescue teams as they rolled out.”
He’s quick to reply, “That’s better than the alternative.”
I grunt. “You’re right. Still pissed as fuck. I can’t believe she’d take off. What if someone grabbed her and we’re missing something?”
“I’m certain we would have seen a sign of struggle at Truck’s place. He would have heard something.”
As he mentions the man, I catch a glimpse of Truck walking toward us.
“Brother, you doing okay?” he asks as if we didn’t just come to blows.
I shake my head. “I’m not. Truthfully, I’m…”
He nods. “You don’t have to explain. I know I’m responsible. I’m sorry as hell.”
Justice hums as he looks over at the FamFind work area. “You know what, guys… hold on a second.”
Then he strides over to Belle. They go back and forth talking for a minute.
She’s pissed. Every few seconds, she glances my way. Her hands go to her hips.
He crosses his arms and tilts his head.
Then his coms gear connects and their conversation springs to life inside my head thanks to my bone conduction speaker.
“How did you know?” It’s Belle’s voice, and she’s snapping at him.
Justice says, “You wouldn’t look at me.”
She huffs. From the distance, I can see her arguing with herself about something.
“Belle,” Justice says gently. “Her life could be in danger.”
“I know!”
I’m striding toward them as Justice speaks to her in a low tone. “We only want to help Camile.”
Evan grabs my arm. “Let him finish.”
I take one more stride, then stop, clenching my fists by my sides. We both listen as their conversation continues—Justice’s mic is open.
“Okay, okay.” Belle makes a rough sound. “But I want you to know I promised I’d cover for her. The only reason I’m telling you is that I’m genuinely worried for her.”
Justice shifts between his feet, tightening his folded arms. “Tell me everything.”
“There’s not much to tell. Lucas isn’t going to be happy.” She glances my way again, with regret in her gaze.
I’m struck by the fact that she called me Lucas. Camile told her my name… what does that mean?
Justice says, “I’ll handle Beast, just help us help your friend.”
“She came to the house while you were out, she was outside the window. Camile didn’t say where she was going… only that she didn’t want you guys involved.”