Into the Fading Twilight (Starlight Grove, #2) (109)

A throat clearing startled us apart. Wylder stood there, and I expected a smile or at least an amused look on his face. There wasn’t one. Instead, his expression was completely blank. “Have any of you talked to Piper since yesterday?”

Dread bloomed in my gut. “No.” My voice sounded removed from my body as Cora and Brae shook their heads.

Wylder’s skin paled even further. “She’s an hour late, and she’s not picking up her phone.”





CHAPTER FORTY-NINE


Kol




THE BOOT WAS DEVOID OF ITS USUAL DIN OF PATRONS. NO clatter of dishes or calls of “order up.” Because, yet again, the bar was closed to those looking for lunch. Instead, a handful of law enforcement had taken up residence and would likely remain for at least the next hour or so. And I was sure when Wylder reopened, every nosy Nellie in town would be darkening the Boot’s door.

I moved in next to Nova, curving my hand around hers and squeezing. “You hanging in there?”

She let out a long breath, but it didn’t tremble or struggle. It was as if she was centering herself. “I’m hanging in. Just worried about Piper.”

I was, too. More than worried. Just like I was fucking terrified for Nova. Because I’d realized something. Heidi Ingram had long, dark hair and fair skin. Piper Richardson had long, dark hair and fair skin. And they both resembled Nova.

Someone was playing copycat. Or someone was trying to replace her.

I felt eyes on me. On us. And my gaze moved on instinct. I found Pete’s surly gaze focused on Nova and me.

He’d thought he had a trump card, something he could hold over my head to get me suspended or fired. I hadn’t actually thought he’d try to use it, but he had. He’d gone to Sherri to report me for misconduct. Apparently, he’d said I was “fucking a witness.” To which, Sherri had responded, “Two grown adults typically have intercourse when they’re dating, Pete.”

She’d let him know that I’d already reported the relationship and that she was in the process of reassigning the case. For a moment, he’d thought he would get everything he wanted. But he’d had to come to terms with disappointment when he learned that Sherri was reassigning the case to Gretchen Harrison when she returned from maternity leave on Monday.

I was thrilled because Gretchen was a hell of an agent, and she wouldn’t let Pete take an inch. In the meantime, I’d simply have to put up with the douche’s petulant stares.

“Who shoved a stick up that one’s ass?” Fiona asked as she sidled up to us.

Nova stifled a chuckle. “He really doesn’t like Kol.”

Fiona raised a brow at that. “Want me to give him a coffee with some hot sauce mixed in? I call it the Archer special.”

My lips twitched as I patted her shoulder. “You’re a good egg, Fee.”

She beamed back at me. “High praise coming from you. But I see this one”—she nodded at Nova—“has you coming out of your strong-and-silent phase.”

Nova grinned up at me. “See, Boss? I’m a good influence.”

I scowled at both of them. “Don’t ruin my rep.”

Fiona laughed as Nova just shook her head.

Sometimes, people didn’t understand that laughter was needed even more during times of turmoil. Some thought it was inappropriate. But in reality, it was a release.

Movement caught my eye—Roger striding through the front door.

“I’ll be back,” I said before crossing to him.

Pete instantly did the same, and I had to bite back a snarl.

I didn’t have to ask; Roger instantly began speaking. “There’s no sign that Piper made it home last night. Still lives at home with her mom, and her mother never got a call. Bed wasn’t slept in. Car is missing. I’ve got a BOLO out on that.”

I nodded, even as my gut soured. “Went through Wylder’s security footage. His cameras show most of the parking lot. You see her get in her car and pull out, but that’s the end of it. No one was lingering back there. No one followed her.”

“Fuck,” Roger muttered, dragging a hand through his hair.

I understood the sentiment. Other than a new boyfriend the deputies were trying to track down, there were no leads. It was as if Piper and her vehicle had been abducted by aliens.

“We need to be looking around Three Creeks Canyon Trail,” Pete interjected. “Could already be a body out there.”

That same anger I’d felt before at his bloodthirstiness swelled. It was almost as if he wanted to find a body and not a living victim.

“You keep wishing her dead, and you and me are gonna have problems,” Roger snarled.

Pete opened his mouth, likely to say something that would get him punched, but I held up a hand to stop him. “It’s not a bad idea to take a look out there. Pete, why don’t you take two officers and comb the area? Let us know if you see signs of anything.”

He eyed me suspiciously. “You don’t want to tell me I’m a moron, too?”

“You’re not a moron, so not sure why I’d say that. You are an asshole, though.”

Pete’s cheeks reddened. “I can’t wait until your ass is fired,” he said, stalking off.

“Well, that day isn’t today,” I called after him.