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“I know.”

TJ swore softly. “You got any idea where he’d head?”

“Not yet.”

“Think. Bus station. Cheap motel. Anywhere crowded enough to disappear but public enough to feel safer with Savannah.”

Miles’ eyes narrowed. “Bus station.”

“Could be.”

“Mrs. Hemsworth said he asked about buses, but that was weeks ago.”

“That’d do it.”

Miles rested one hand on the counter. “How long before this stops being something we can keep quiet?”

TJ let out a hard breath. “Not long if someone from CPS can’t confirm he’s there when they check in on paperwork. Longer if nobody notices quicker. But if he’s left town with her and this turns into an official child welfare concern, we lose control of it.”

That fit what Miles already knew. “I’ll find him first.”

“You’d better.”

“Yeah.”

“Keep me posted. And Miles?”

“Yeah?”

“Do not corner him.”

Miles looked down at the note again. “Wasn’t planning to.”

He ended the call and stared at the note for another minute when his phone rang. Seeing it was Cody, he knew TJ had spoken to his partner.

“What’s happened?”

Miles gave him the short version then sighed heavily.

Cody went quiet, then said, “He ran.”

“Yeah.”

“And with Savannah because there’s no chance he’s leaving without her.”

“Yeah.”

“Jesus.” Cody dragged a breath. “Okay. Alright. Don’t push him. If he thinks this is someone trying to take her, he’ll go through you.”

“I know.”

Cody was quiet another second. “He’s not thinking clear right now.”

“No.”

“That doesn’t make him stupid.”

Miles looked toward the window. “No.”