Chapter 30
thirty
Cole
She’s gone.
That motherfucker took her. He took my girl. Snatched her up—in broad daylight—with me less than a mile away, and every second she’s with him is a second too long.
I’m going out of my mind with worry, as I pace the length of the bull pen of the Moose Harbor police department, clutching at my hair like a madman.
The second the PI I’d hired to keep an eye on Jason Markham called to let me know he’d lost track of him, I dropped everything and bolted for the main building like my life depended on it.
The debilitating terror that seized me once I realized he’d made his move made it hard to breathe.
It was like reliving the worst moment of my life all over again, trying to get to the woman I love before the enemy could hurt her.
The woman I love.
Jesus Christ. Of all the times to come to that realization.
I need a clear head more than ever right now if I want to get to Charlie before her ex has time to seriously harm her.
I don’t have the mental capacity to open that can of worms, and I won’t be able to take a full breath, let alone think straight, until she’s back where she belongs.
Which is at my side, where I know she’s safe.
For a few moments following the call that sent my heart straight into my throat, I held a sliver of hope.
Just because that idiot PI lost sight of his target didn’t necessarily mean Jason had gotten to Charlie.
But when I stepped through the gaping front door of the main office, listening to the sound of Scooby’s frantic barking, my heart sank.
I hauled ass upstairs, bursting into the apartment, all but taking the door off its hinges. Ignoring the large dog running circles around me and yapping at my heels, I’d searched the rooms one by one, desperate to find even the smallest hint as to what might’ve happened.
When I came up empty and laid eyes on the meal still hot to the touch, I wanted to drop to my knees and scream my agony into the heavens. Only the knowledge that the first twenty-four hours are critical when it comes to locating kidnapping victims kept me from sinking into despair.
I dug my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed her number, cursing under my breath when I followed the ring tone all the way to her bedroom, where it lay charging on the nightstand.
Leaving her place, I went on to comb the surrounding property, hoping her dope of a dog may catch her scent, but it was a useless endeavor.
I checked the parking lot and every single one of the cabins.
Her car was still there, so I knew she hadn’t left for town.
In any case, she wouldn’t have abandoned our dinner to run an errand.
I questioned Dave and the handful of guests currently staying on the premises, but no one had seen or heard anything suspicious.
I checked in with Dee on the off chance that she’d needed her friend, and Charlie, being the absolute angel she is, hadn’t hesitated to drop everything to be there for her, but no such luck.
When I informed Dee of my suspicions, she promised to call the second she heard from Charlie, but I already knew she wouldn’t.
That was about the moment panic threatened to overtake me, but I pushed the useless emotion down.
Locking Scooby into the apartment, I drove straight down to the station, where I’m presently leaving permanent skid marks on the cheap vinyl floor and feeling like I want to claw myself out of my own skin.
The need to find her is so strong, I’m shaking with it as I bark at the chief of police, who’s staring at me like I’m a bomb two seconds away from blowing.
“What the fuck do you mean they can’t bring them in for questioning? One of these assholes knows where he is. He’s their goddamn president. He doesn’t do shit without his club knowing about it.”
“That may be so, but considering there was no sign of a forced entry nor a struggle, this early in the game, they have no choice but to treat this as just another missing person case.”
“No choice? Or is it just more convenient for them to look the other way?”
Chief Moseley gives me a tight smile that lets me know he understands my frustration, but the words leaving his mouth next suggest his compassion won’t stop him from giving it to me straight.
“You and I both know how these things work, son. These bigger departments are understaffed, their officers overworked, and they have bigger fish to fry than an adult female going AWOL for a couple of hours. For all they know, Charlotte decided to treat herself to a weekend at the spa.”
A bitter sound falls from my lips. “After she went through the trouble of cooking a homemade meal, leaving her front door unlocked, her pet and guests unattended, and her vehicle behind? Unlikely. This is bullshit,” I explode, pointing a finger at the older man.
“Charlie suspected the club’s been greasing the palms of the local police for decades, which is why they’ve gotten away with a lot more than they should’ve, considering the extensive rap sheets some of these guys racked up over the years.
I don’t know about you, Chief, but I don’t like the smell of corruption.
I have a feeling we won’t get a lot of support from that direction, even after whoever’s in charge decides enough time has passed to take this seriously.
So, fuck them. The question is, what are you going to do about it? ”
The older man doesn’t blink while we continue to stare each other down.
He’s the first to break eye contact, however, as he blows out a long breath before saying, “I like you, son. Been impressed with you ever since you handled that rodent-looking son of a bitch at Henry’s like it was the easiest thing you ever did.
I’ve been in this line of work for a very long time, and I’ve gotten quite good at reading people.
You don’t strike me as someone who panics easily.
I know the type of training and level of skill it takes to become a special agent, and from the sounds of it, you’re a damn good one.
I’ve done my research on you, you know? For purely selfish reasons,” he adds with a sheepish expression when I frown his way.
“I saw the way you looked at Charlie. The way you protected her. The fury in your eyes when that lowlife laid a hand on her. Had a feeling then that you might be sticking around a while, and I wanted to get a feel for the type of man you are. Let’s just say that after I did my homework, I was no less impressed.
If your gut tells you that lovely young lady is in danger, then I’m inclined to believe you.
” My sigh of relief is audible. “Lucky for you, my officers aren’t overworked,” he goes on.
“If anything, they’re bored out of their goddamn minds and itching for a chance to do something meaningful.
So, if you’re asking me what I’m going to do about this?
I’ll give you every single man, woman, and resource available, and I’ll willingly hand over the reins for a chance to see you in action.
You see,” he continues with a determined glint in his eye.
“My gut has rarely steered me wrong, and I wasn’t kidding when I said there’s a job waiting for you, should you decide your woman is worth staying for when this is all said and done. ”
I swallow the emotion his words incite and give the older man a grateful nod.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, sir, but there’s no point contemplating potential career moves if the person I’d consider uprooting my life for is not here to share it with.
Let’s just focus on locating the asshole responsible for her disappearance and find out what your officers are made of, shall we? ”
Chief Moseley rises from the chair he was sitting in and strides over to me. Laying a weathered hand on my shoulder, he waits for me to meet his hard eyes.
“We’ll find her, son. And when we do, and you decide to make this uneventful, yet charming town your home, you remember who’s helped you make the future you deserve possible and put me out of my misery, yeah?
I’ve been wanting to retire for three years now, but I refuse to leave this place in the hands of someone who’s not ready for the responsibility.
This department is young, with the exception of my ancient ass,” he tells me with a self-deprecating chuckle.
“None of these rookies are ready to take over. I need someone I can trust to keep these greenhorns safe and this place running smoothly.”
“One problem at a time, Chief. Let’s get Charlie back. Then we can worry about you riding off into the sunset.”
The older man laughs and slaps me on the back with more force than I thought him capable of.
“Let’s get to it then. I’m not getting any younger.”