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"He didn't say. But it might be right before Shelby's wedding. I don't know if he wanted to go to her feeling healthy and strong and beg her to take him back, or if that date is completely unrelated to her." Evan paused. "I should have asked more questions, but we started talking about old times, and that seemed to make Jack relax, and it felt good to shoot the breeze about some of our better days."

"Did you talk about TJ?"

Evan shook his head. "We talked about the first time we met, the early days of the team, and then when the young ones started coming in, like you and Gary and TJ. Even though we didn't like all the changes, that's when we got good, that's when we were all operating at our highest level. We had a great seven years."

As Tyler nodded in agreement, she thought about those seven years. These men really had known each other well, but they hadn't stayed in touch as much as she would have thought.

"I didn't want it to end," Tyler murmured.

"Neither did I, but all things come to an end," Evan said. "Thankfully, I've found a new version of myself. And so have you." He stood up. "I have to get back to the barbecue. If I can help you look for Jack, let me know. I'm tied up today, but I have time this week."

"Thanks," Tyler said, getting to his feet.

"Why don't you come into the back and have some food?" Evan suggested. "No reason to rush off. You can catch up with TJ."

"Uh, sure," Tyler said as they followed Evan into the yard.

There was still a crowd at the buffet, while some people had settled in at several big round tables to eat, but there was no sign of TJ.

"I don't see him," Tyler murmured.

"I don't, either. Maybe he's using the restroom." She drew in a breath, wishing they could just go. They'd gotten what they'd come for, and having another conversation with TJ didn't seem like it would make this barbecue more fun. But she'd invited herself along, so she had to stick it out.

They got in line at the buffet, but it was slow moving, and they hadn't even made it to the plates and silverware when Tyler turned to her. "Do you want to go?"

A wash of relief ran through her. "Yes," she said. "If you want to."

He nodded. "Let's just say goodbye to Evan and Becca." They walked over to their hosts. "We're going to take off. We need to get back to the city," he said.

"I understand," Evan said. "Becca just told me that TJ left a few minutes ago. He wasn't feeling well. You should give him a call."

"I will," Tyler said. "Thanks again, Evan."

"Keep me posted. I want to help if I can."

"Will do."

She said her goodbyes and followed him to the car.

"Do you want to get something to eat?" Tyler asked, as he drove away from the house.

"Yes. I'm starving. I just didn't want to make small talk with a lot of strangers and a couple of men who don't like me very much."

"TJ barely knew of you. And Evan didn't say a word to you about the past."

"I know, but I'm sure he has feelings about my decisions back then. Anyway, I'm just happy to go. Do you think TJ left because we were there?" She thought Tyler would immediately deny it, but he didn't answer right away.

"I don't know," he said finally. "TJ definitely didn’t want to talk about Jack, which I can't blame him for, but I would have thought he'd want to catch up with me." He shot her a quick look. "But TJ isn't involved in Jack's disappearance, so don't go down that road again."

"I didn't say he was involved, but he was uncomfortable and angry when you brought Jack up and said we were looking for him. That's a fact, not my imagination."

"True, but let's focus on what Evan told us. We need to find the medical facility where Jack was being treated. Any ideas?"

"No, but I'm going to find out," she said with determination.

He gave her a knowing smile. "I had a feeling that would be your answer."

Chapter Twelve