Page 50 of Deadly Scandals

But Agent Meeks didn’t need the details.

“Sir, that’s an excellent question. I knew Petty Officer Martinez from the Cruz investigation. And since this department has now closed the Thompson investigation and classified Paul’s death as a suicide, there is no conflict of interest.”

He bit his lower lip. “Fine, but don’t get involved with the law enforcement. And use this time to bond with Mia. Call back and report in later today. I hope his daughter is found.”

“Will do, sir. And thank you.” I excused myself from the room.

My heart wrenched. I couldn’t even fathom the pain Mitch was going through right now. I had been so young when my sister vanished. But over the years, I began to understand the devastation in my mom’s eyes. I had to be there for Mitch.

I had to help him find Sienna.

I placed another call to Mitch, but he again didn’t answer. I needed to talk to him, but I assumed he was busy with investigators.

Mia found me in the hallway. She placed her hand on my shoulder, and I didn’t push it away.

“I called Grant. He’s dropping off Julián at Pat and Annie’s place.”

Julián. Grant and Mia’s son. A child that at one time I had been certain was Joaquín’s child. Something was still so off between Joaquín and Mia. Maybe I would finally get to the bottom of their twisted family dynamic. But that wasn’t my focus right now. My goal was to find Sienna.

“Sounds good. But we’re taking my car.”

She gave me a genuine smile, and we walked out of the building like we were partners, which we were.

I figured Mitch would call me when he was able to, so I sent him another text.

Me: Mia and Grant are coming with me. Any updates? Call me when you get a chance.

I sent the text. Mia climbed into my car, and off we went to pick up her husband. Mia luckily didn’t pepper me with questions. As I drove, my mind started racing.

What on earth had happened to Sienna? I had been with her yesterday. If only I had stayed, this wouldn’t have happened.

This was all my fault. I couldn’t help but blame myself even though I had only left Disneyland on work orders. Maybe if I hadn’t gone with Mitch to Las Vegas, he wouldn’t have taken his kids to Disneyland. I could tell that he’d appreciated me being there with them. I had left him alone, outnumbered by his kids. And the worst thing possible had happened. If only I had been there, sweet Sienna would probably have been safe.

Guilt amped up inside me. I pictured Sienna in her Ariel costume. She was so beautiful and innocent.

Sometimes, I wondered whether or not I was cut out to be a mother. I often questioned if I had a maternal bone in my body. But I had actually had a good time with Mitch and his kids. And now, I was missing a little girl who I barely even knew.

We finally arrived at Grant and Mia’s house. Grant was standing outside with a stern look on his face.

Grant came over to my window. “You can park in the driveway. I’m driving.”

Oh no. I wanted to drive, but I didn’t want to fight with him. “No, that’s cool. We can take my car.”

He shook his head. “Nope. Last time we took your car. Remember?”

I chill washed over me. I did remember. We took my car up the coast to rescue Mia from her brother. And I had nagged and interrogated him the entire way.

“Fine.” I pulled into his driveway. Mia and I left my car and walked over to Grant’s truck. I climbed into the back of the cab, and Mia slid in next to Grant. He gave her a quick kiss, and she squeezed his leg.

I had to admit that even I believed these two were completely in love. It must be nice to have someone who completely loved you unconditionally.

Grant accelerated.

I looked out the window. “I don’t even know what happened. I can’t get ahold of Mitch.”

Grant turned to look at me. “I talked to him. He’s a wreck.”

Grant already talked to him? I’d been blowing up Mitch’s phone since I got his text. But I wasn’t mad. That made sense. Mitch and Grant were best friends, especially ever since Joaquín had gone to prison.