Chapter 7 #3
“She’s okay, but her meds are missing from her backpack pocket.”
Piper frowned. “How is that possible? She always has them there.”
“Maybe they fell out?” Sully asked.
“Ollie and I had that conversation. And we both searched her room. They’re definitely not in there.”
“Then we need to search the rest of the house,” Piper said. She stood and the others joined in. Elena didn’t hold out much hope but figured it wouldn’t hurt to look.
Twenty minutes later, they all gave up. “They’re not in this house,” Sully said. “The only thing we found here is that housekeeping does an amazing job. No dirt in the corners or under the furniture.”
“We walked to the gym,” Piper said. “Maybe they’re there.”
“Ollie put out a theory that I don’t want to consider, but we might have to,” Elena said.
She met Maya’s gaze first and saw the dawning realization.
“She thinks someone took them,” Maya said.
“It crossed her mind. Mine too, honestly.”
Maya pulled her phone from her pocket. “I’ll call the pharmacy and make sure they have what she needs in stock.”
“Put the meds in your name,” Sully said. “Just as a precaution. Don’t use Ollie’s name.”
“Got it.”
While Maya dialed, Piper shot Sully a raised brow. “We’re responsible for her. I say we get her into town to the nearest medical facility.”
“Just give Maya a minute. I think it’s safer to keep her here if at all possible.”
Piper’s jaw tightened, but she gave a small shrug and nodded.
Elena walked outside and sat on the porch.
She placed her forehead in her hands and thought about what she believed.
Was Ollie just careless with her meds and didn’t want to admit it?
Or had someone actually taken them from her backpack while it was in the locker?
And if so, who? And why? And how would they know they were there?
She needed to see the security footage and get the names of those who had gone in and out of the gym while Ollie and her backpack were there.
The door behind her opened, and she didn’t have to turn to know Sully was there. He sat beside her. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. My brain is just spinning.”
“Join the club.”
“What do you think happened to Ollie’s meds? You think she lost them?”
“I don’t know. My gut reaction is no way. That’s not the girl I’ve come to know.” He shrugged. “But I’ve only known her a few months, so . . .”
“Yeah.”
“What do you think?”
“I think I don’t want to think what I’m thinking.”
“You believe someone took them.”
She mimicked his earlier shrug. “I’m leaning that way, yeah. I know Ollie is only fourteen, but she doesn’t strike me as irresponsible. I can’t see her losing or misplacing her lifesaving meds.”
“I agree. But . . . who?”
She nodded in the direction of the security office. “I was going to go look at the footage. Want to come?”
“Sure, but as soon as Maya says Ollie’s meds are ready, someone is going to have to get them.”
“I’ll do it. I need to run into town to get a few things anyway.” She bit her lip. “And this discussion about security footage has me thinking.”
“About what?”
“I want to go by the post office. I think I saw my sister there. Maybe I can check their footage.”
He let out a low breath. “I don’t blame you for wanting to do that, but I also don’t think it’s safe for you to. Remember what just happened earlier? Someone tried to snatch you off your horse.”
“But were they after me? Maybe they thought I was someone else? Although, Lindy Grace was acting very odd.”
“I noticed.”
“But still. It might have just been a crime of opportunity.” She cast him a sideways look, taking in his strong features.
He truly was a handsome man even though he needed a haircut.
Or maybe he just liked the slightly shaggy, windblown look.
She had a feeling she wouldn’t care how he wore his hair, she’d still find him too attractive for her own good.
“Any serial killers on the loose out here?”
He gave a surprised snort. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“Could be he wanted the horse or what I was carrying in the saddlebag. Or both. My weapon, if he saw it. I don’t know.”
“All of those are legit possibilities. Unless we find the person, we’ll never know.”
“In the meantime, though, I’m game for going into town. I’ll ask Maya to have David or someone watch the security footage from the gym door camera and make a list of who was there the same time Ollie and Piper were.”
Sully nodded and started to say something, when the door opened.
Maya stepped out. “Ollie’s meds will be ready in about thirty minutes.
I recommend spreading them out once you have them.
Let Ollie keep most of them, but have Piper keep a few and, Sully, you should probably keep a few as well.
Since your SUV is out of commission, why don’t you take Gideon’s sedan? ”
“Thanks. The Bureau will deliver another vehicle if I ask, but right now, I don’t want to.”
“Understood.”
Elena studied her friend. “You think someone took Ollie’s meds too?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to think that, of course, but I’m not willing to bet Ollie’s life on it.”