Page 55 of The Missing Couple

She had been wrong. So so wrong.

How could a man she had known and trusted…one whose shoulder she had cried on…whom she had adored like an uncle be involved in this?

She fought back the shock and squared her shoulders. “Hello, Paul.”

Marshall County Sheriff’s Department

Blount Avenue, 8:45 p.m.

BILLIE HADN’T CALLED one of the agency attorneys. He had known the sheriff would have to release him sooner rather than later. He had nothing to hold Billie on unless trespassing or breaking and entering was being charged. Since that hadn’t happened, it was only a matter of time before he could walk.

The door opened once more and Billie waited while the sheriff made himself comfortable on the other side of the table. “Cohen tells me,” Malone said, “that you’re sticking to your story about knowingly trespassing and breaking and entering.”

“I wouldn’t think of telling you anything less than the truth.” Billie held his gaze until the other man flinched.

“Well, you proved the necklace—or at least one like it—belonged to your sister. Considering it would be a pretty big coincidence if it belonged to someone else and we’ve established that you don’t believe in coincidences, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt here and assuming the necklace you found belonged to Briana Willard.”

“Belongs,” Billie corrected. Malone looked confused. “Belonged is past tense. My sister is alive. We just have to find her before it’s too late.”

“If we’re lucky,” Malone agreed. “To that end, I’m holding Kerrick Rogers overnight. See if he’ll give us anything.”

“Did he call an attorney?” A smart man would. Billie hoped he wasn’t that smart.

Malone shrugged. “He would if I let him but I’m not.”

Billie laughed, couldn’t help himself. “You’re telling me you’re ignoring his legal right to counsel?”

“Nope.” Malone shook his head. “I just didn’t give him the chance to ask for one.” His gaze narrowed. “I’ve been doing this job a long time, Mr. Jagger. I can read people pretty good. Kerrick has something to tell me. He just hasn’t worked up the courage to do it yet. I’m giving him time to get right with himself without outside interference.”

Billie gave him a nod. “I’m sure you are aware that you can’t pull a tactic like that on me.”

“I’m aware all right.” He stretched his neck, right then left. “This is what I think, Mr. Hotshot PI. Kerrick has gotten himself involved with some bad people and he’s acting as a scout—I think they call them in the business.”

They might not be on the same page but they were certainly in the same chapter, so Billie waited for him to go on.

“I can’t be sure, of course. Maybe one of his friends dragged him into it. I don’t know that part yet but we’re rounding up Perry Hillard and Finn Grayson. We’ll put a little fear in them, see what they spill.”

“Does that mean I’m free to go?” Billie asked, weary of the waiting game.

“That’s what I came to tell you.” Malone pushed back his chair. “You are free to go. Your SUV is waiting outside. If we have more questions or if the Rogers family wants to pursue any sort of charges, I’ll be in touch.”

Billie had a feeling the Rogers family had no idea about any of this just yet. Not that he minded. He stood and followed the man from the room. In the corridor he asked, “Where’s Charly?”

Malone mulled over the question a moment. “Oh yeah. Deputy Lathan took her home just after seven.”

Worry nagged at Billie. “Thanks.”

He strode out of the station and hurried to his SUV. If Charly had been taken directly home, Billie didn’t trust her not to go off on her own. As he drove away, he called her cell.

Three rings and then voice mail.

“Damn it.”

He drove faster.

It took what felt like a lifetime to reach Deep Woods Trail. He made the turn and pulled up to her cabin, parked next to an SUV he recognized as belonging to Shelly…the assistant that helped Charly out from time to time.

He exited the vehicle, scanning the area around him for any sign of trouble. Whatever else had happened tonight, at least some of the players Billie was convinced were involved in Briana’s and Martin’s abductions had been given a wakeup call. They now knew with a full measure of certainty that he was here, and he intended to take them down just as soon as he found his sister and her husband.