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I push out a heavy breath before relaxing into the chair. “She gets to come home?”
“Not exactly. You told us to retrieve her and make sure she’s safe.” The reminder makes my anger at them resurface. Even knowing I’m the one who made the original decision. “We’re less concerned about an immediate threat, but to be on the safe side, it would be best to take you to her.”
I lean forward eagerly and place my clasped hands on the desk. “Tell me when and where. I’ll be there.”
Ember smirks knowingly before continuing.
“Thought you’d say that. Meet me here,” they say and slide a paper across the desktop. “In three days at five thirty. End of the workday means more people to disappear into.”
I hear the words, but I’m fixed on the address in my hands. This is my chance to go to her. By the time I look up, they are gone.
The rest of the day passes uneventfully after Ember’s departure, and everything continues as normal until my phone rings.
“Hello?”
“Jay. This is Detective Bacon.”
I sigh inwardly. There’s nothing they can tell me that I don’t already know. Ember was here only hours ago. And I’m definitely not going to share any of that with the police. I’ve told them everything they need to know. The rest of it is unnecessary.
“I have an update on your friend’s case.” Silence comes over the phone, and I guess she’s expecting some kind of response. “Unfortunately, we are going to have to close this case. I know it’s disappointing, but we don’t have the resources to keep this going.”
I should protest, but I don’t have the energy anymore. I guess the detective interprets my silence as a shock because she continues.
“If it makes you feel any better, there is one officer who won’t let go for some reason.”
Well, that is new.
“Do you know what he wants?” I ask tentatively.
“He’s in a different task force and thinks your friend’s disappearance is somehow connected to his case. So he’s pushing for every lead he can. Don’t be surprised if he reaches out to you or shows up on your doorstep.” The pause coming through the phone means nothing good for sure. “But keep your phone on you. An eye out. That’s all.”
“Okay, thanks for the warning?”
“Yeah, sure. No problem.” Then the line goes dead.
I get the call a few days later, only hours before I’m supposed to meet Ember.
“This is Jay.”
“Hi, Jay. I’m Officer Reyes with HPD. I know officially your friend’s case is closed, but I was hoping to talk with you about Juliana’s disappearance.”
The way he says her name makes me pay attention. It’s so casual. As if he knows her personally, but there is no way he could.
“I was hoping to meet with you today. Maybe at a coffee shop or something. Wherever works for you really,” he says.
His eagerness strikes me as odd, but I don’t really want to drag the charade on anymore. I know it looks odd if I suddenly stop being invested. My only option is to play along.
“Sure, I’m at the club, but there’s a cafe nearby where we can go.”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
I hang up and go find Rosie to hold down the fort for me. “I’m going out. I have a thing.”
“A thing?” She quirks her eyebrow at me.
“Yeah.” She is clearly not letting go of this until I give her more. “There’s a cop who’s still asking questions about Julia. I’m meeting him for coffee to get him to go away.”
“I’m coming with you.”
