Chapter Eight #2
Those words from her mother meant everything to her.
As she headed to the shower, she was filled with gratitude to have her mom back in her life—and her children’s lives—after long years of estrangement following her parents’ divorce.
Sam had been firmly on Team Dad, but she’d later learned there were two sides to every story and that no one knew what went on inside a marriage besides the two people in it.
Now that she understood more about her mother’s perspective, she had a deeper appreciation for what she’d endured at the end of the marriage, and that had led to reconciliation.
She raced through the shower, put her wet hair up in a clip and prepared for a long day by getting dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, sweater and running shoes.
This time of year, the mornings were chilly, and the afternoons were warm, not that she cared about any of that as she made a mental list of things she wanted to do when she got to HQ.
As soon as possible, she wanted to see Dr. Anthony Trulo, the department psychiatrist, to get his take on incel culture. The FBI would be briefing them, and Jesse Best would be there to help, too. Knowing the marshals would be assisting made her feel slightly better.
But nothing could dissolve the hard knot of fear in her stomach that would be there until Ethan was found safe.
She had unlocked the drawer in the bedside table where she kept her service weapon and cuffs when Nick came into the bedroom, dressed in jeans and a Dewey Beach sweatshirt.
“Ready when you are.”
“Thank you for coming with me. I know you had to jump through some hoops.”
“Not as many as usual on a Sunday. Besides, I always want to be wherever you are, especially at a time like this.”
She took hold of the hand he held out to her as they left their suite and went downstairs to meet the agents who waited for them in the foyer.
With their regular teams off duty until the morning, they were met by agents Sam didn’t know, but Nick did.
He greeted them by name and thanked them for arranging transport.
“Right this way, Mr. President, ma’am.”
“It’s weird to be going somewhere without Brant or Vernon,” Sam said when they were in the back seat of The Beast on the way to HQ.
“I know. I was thinking the same thing.”
“What’re you missing today to come with me?”
“A couple of meetings that Gretchen will take for me. Nothing to worry about.”
“I’m sure it’s far more complicated for you to call out of work, even on a weekend, than you’re making it sound.”
“Our nephew is missing. I’m where I need to be.”
Sam closed her eyes against an instant flood of tears. “I feel like I’m spinning in a thousand directions as the fear multiplies with every minute that goes by with no news.”
“I know, babe. It’s horrible to not know where he is.”
Sam’s phone rang with a call from the landline at Celia’s. “Hey.”
“Have you heard anything?” Tracy asked tearfully.
“Nothing new, but I’m on my way to HQ now. I’ll let you know of any developments the minute they happen.”
“I’m going out of my mind, Sam. Where is he?”
“I don’t know, but we’re bringing in all the best people to look for him.”
“I’m glad you’re still on the case even though they told you not to be.”
“I’ll be right here for as long as it takes to bring him home. I promise.”
“Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I’ll be back to you as soon as I have anything to tell you.”
“Okay.”
“Hang in there, Trace.”
“Hanging by a thread.”
They said their goodbyes for now, and Sam closed her phone quietly as tears rolled down her face.
She’d said what her sister needed to hear, but the truth was she had no idea whether anything they were doing would lead to Ethan’s safe return.
At the moment, she felt like they were throwing things at the wall to see what would stick rather than doing something strategic to find the three missing kids.
Her phone rang again, this time from a number she didn’t recognize. “Holland.”
“This is Joaquin Cambra, Tomas’s father, wondering if there’s any news. We haven’t heard anything in a few hours.”
“There’s nothing new, but I’m on my way to MPD headquarters to get an update from Patrol and the officers who’ve been out looking for them tonight. If I hear anything new, I’ll be right back to you.”
“We don’t know what to do. It’s… We’re sick with worry.”
“I’m so sorry. I wish I had more news for you. Hopefully soon.”
“Thank you for taking my call. We appreciate what everyone is doing to find them.”
“We’re bringing in federal agents this morning to assist.”
“Oh God… That makes it sound so dire, which it is, but…”
“I understand, but the more help we have, the better. I’ll be back to you as soon as I have anything to report.”
“Thank you.”
Sam closed her phone and held back the urgent need to scream her head off with frustration and fear. She hated feeling out of control of anything, and this situation was so far outside her control…
Her phone rang again, with a call from Gonzo. It was a good thing she hadn’t tried to sleep. She hadn’t given the murder at the hotel a single thought in hours. “Hey, what’s up?”
“We’re finishing up the canvass, speaking to every guest and employee. We’re still waiting for the warrant to enter the victim’s room, but I’m sending everyone home to get a few hours of sleep. Freddie texted that he’ll be here shortly to take over.”
“I’m getting a call from Dispatch. Hang on.” She accepted the new call, hoping she wasn’t cutting off Gonzo. “Holland.”
“Lieutenant, we’ve received a call from a woman, Trisha Carver, in Spokane, Washington.
She’s been trying to reach her husband for hours and has been unable to get through.
He was staying at the Vacation Inn and Suites on 10th Avenue Northwest. She said no one at the hotel will tell her if he’s in his room or what’s going on. What would you like us to do?”
“Can you please give her information to Sergeant Gonzales? He’s working the scene at the hotel.”
“Will do. Thank you.”
Sam returned to the call with Gonzo. “Your vic’s wife is looking for him. Dispatch is sending you her name and number.”
“Fabulous,” he said in a grim tone.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Maybe she can give us permission to enter the room.”
“Wait for the warrant.”
“Yeah, okay. I’m exhausted and not firing on all cylinders. Anything new with Ethan?”
“Not yet. We’re briefing with the FBI and Marshals at eight.”
“I’m praying for him and your family.”
“Thanks, Gonzo.”