Again I began to inch my way toward Waylay.
“You know I don’t like it when you talk to me like my mom,” Duncan howled.
“You’re actin’ like you’re large and in charge. But who’s the one who tricked the kid into the car by pretending to be my sister? Who’s the one who got Naomi here?”
“Hey! I’m doin’ this for you, T. We could finally get the equipment to make those fake IDs you’re always runnin’ your mouth about. Or set up a black market organ donor farm.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Gross! Is that a real thing?”
“Don’t you yuck my yum, Hot Tina,” he said to me.
Oh, boy.
Tina backhanded him in the shoulder. “What did you just call her?”
I used the distraction to sneak closer to Waylay.
“Ow! I meant Not Tina,” Duncan insisted.
My niece chose that moment to heave herself forward, trying to tip the chair over, only succeeding in knocking into the table with the fat stacks of cash.
I raced forward, untangling dog leash and rope.
“One more move, and both of them get it,” Duncan warned, the gun trained on me as he stared at Waylay. “You got five seconds, kid, to start talking. Where’s the drive?”
Waylay’s eyes were wide and scared and pinned to me.
“Five…four…three…two…”
FORTY-SEVEN
MISSING
Knox
“What the hell did you do with Naomi?” Fi demanded, waving her lollipop in my face when I hit the bar floor.
I noticed Naomi’s parents were gone, and their table had been turned over.
“I talked to her. Nicely,” I said when her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Couldn’t have been that nice since all her tables are getting restless with empty drinks.”
I peered over Fi’s shoulder, doing what I always did, looking for Naomi. But Fi was right. She wasn’t there.
“If you chased her off in the middle of a shift—”
“I didn’t chase her off. We talked. It was good. We’re good. Did you check the bathroom?”
“Now, gee, why didn’t I think of that?” Fi said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Did you ask him what the hell he did with Naomi?” Max asked as she buzzed by.
Something cold settled in my gut. Ignoring my employees, I pushed through the doors into the kitchen. “Naomi in here?”
Milford looked up from the chicken he was grilling and tilted his head toward the door to the parking lot. “Went out a couple minutes ago to make a call. She looked upset. You say something mean to her again?”
I didn’t bother answering. Instead I went straight for the door and shoved it open. Fi was on my heels. The night air had a crisp bite to it that did nothing to thaw the icy fear inside me. There was no sign of Naomi.
“Fuck.” I did not have a good feeling about this.
“She’s probably just getting some fresh air since you broke her heart and then embarrassed her in front of half the town,” Fi guessed, scanning the lot with me. But she didn’t sound sure either.
“I don’t like this,” I muttered. “Naomi!” But there was no response.
“Naomi, Knox is sorry for being an ass!” Fi shouted into the night next to me.
Nothing.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I yanked it out.
Nash.
“What?”
“Just a heads-up. I’m on my way to Liza’s. She said Waylay’s gone. Took your dog out for a pee break, and neither one of them came back.”
The ice in my gut turned into an iceberg.
“How long ago?”
“About forty minutes. Liza went out looking for them. Thinks she saw tail lights heading for the road. Said she tried to call Naomi, but she’s not picking up her phone. I tried too and got voicemail. I’m sure it’s nothing, but I need you to tell Naomi.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
My heart was hitting like a damn bass drum.
“Naomi stepped out to make a call, and no one’s seen her since. I’m standing in the fucking parking lot, and she’s not here.”
“Goddammit.”
“I don’t like this,” I said, dragging a hand through my hair. “I’m gonna go look for them.”
“Do me a favor first and call Naomi’s parents. I’m gonna get Liza and have some of my guys do a sweep of the woods.”
“She’s not gonna be there,” I told him.
“Gotta start somewhere. Call you back,” Nash said.