Grayson pressed the gas again, much more gently this time, and headed out from the garage.
Growing up with Reece had taught Jamey to recognize emotions the way other big sisters might have learned their little brothers’ favorite cartoon characters. So when she woke before her alarm, she recognized the tightness in her chest and the queasiness in her stomach all too well.
She was uneasy.
She threw on one of Liam’s sweatshirts and slippers and headed to the kitchen on light feet. Gretel was still asleep on the couch, so Jamey kept her movements as quiet as she could as she prepped coffee.
It had just started brewing when her phone started ringing. Jamey quickly silenced it, glancing at the caller ID.
Liam. Thirty minutes earlier than he had been supposed to check in.
Shit.
She stepped back into the bedroom, closing the door and putting the phone to her ear. “Babe, what’s going on?” she said softly.
“The empaths aren’t here.”
She swore softly. “You’re sure?”
“Ten empaths all together are not going to be subtle,” he said grimly. “Any chance they just all overslept?”
“They’re more likely to have shown up early. Empaths hate worrying or inconveniencing others.” Jamey blew out a breath. “Maybe they’re waiting at the wrong place?”
“I’m heading to the terminal for the Alaska state ferry,” he said. “If they’re not there, I’ll check other docks.”
“Okay, but be careful,” Jamey said. “I’ll do some digging here.”
She stared at her phone for a minute after Liam hung up. Then she called Officer Stensby’s number.
The line rang and rang in Jamey’s ear. “Pick up already, you little shit,” she muttered, her eyes narrowed.
Finally, the line clicked on. “Detective St. James,” said that lighter, tenor version of Grayson’s drawl. “To what do I owe this unexpected—and early—pleasure?”
“You know exactly what.”
“I’m afraid I don’t.” Alex sounded both sleepy and honest. “I’ve heard what AMI says about us, but respectfully, ma’am, you’ve got an empath brother. You know we can’t actually read minds.”
“Where are they?”
There was a pause. “You mean Reece?” Alex finally said, sounding genuinely confused.
“Obviously that’s not— Actually, yes, I would very much like to know where the hell my brother is.”
In her ear, Alex yawned. “He went out.”
“Bullshit,” Jamey said. “Reece is never up this early.”
“We were surprised too, though in hindsight, we probably shouldn’t’ve been.” In the background, she heard his footsteps now. Crossing a hardwood floor, from the sound of it.
“We,” she repeated meaningfully.
“Yes,we,” Alex said, more slowly. “As in myself and the lovely Ms. Falcon.” He paused. “Who else do you think is here?”
Jamey frowned. Alex could be full of shit, of course, but he sure wasn’t acting like someone who’d lured away ten of his fellow empaths the night before.
But if the empaths hadn’t gone with Reece, Cora and Alex—
“Reece was with you until this morning, though?” Jamey said as her thoughts began to race. “And Cora is still with you now?”
