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“Any word on who’s handling Bonnie’s investigation?” Frustration threaded through Cal’s voice, but it started a family conversation I didn’t really care about.
“Metro. Glitz doesn’t have the manpower or experience to handle it,” Jasper said, his gaze trained on Cal’s. I guessed he was looking for any hint of–hell I didn’t know what–only that he was studying his brother like he had him under a microscope. “But I’ve seen more than a few Feds crawling around Vegas this week.”
Since I didn’t care much about this part of the Ashby business, I pulled my phone out and texted Jameson.
Madison: How’s cop life? Busted any bad guys this week?
His reply came immediately, and I grinned.
Jameson: No bad guys, but a few public drunks and college kids fighting. Exciting, right?
I rolled my eyes and shoved a big hunk of corned beef in my mouth.
Madison: Sounds like you’re living the dream. Did you at least get to slide across the hood of your patrol car yet?
Jameson: Sadly, no reason to do it yet.
Madison: Bummer, I shot back with a sad face emoji.
Jameson: Right?
Talking to Jamie, even through text, was exactly what I needed after another week of no progress in finding Molly, Cal’s attempt at a kiss, and all the tension building around this big ass house.
Madison: Maybe next week?
Jameson: Fingers crossed, he replied with half a dozen fingers crossed emojis.
“What’s going on with you?” Sadie’s sharp tone cut through my thoughts, and my smile faded as I looked up. Oops. Sadie was talking to me.
I blinked innocently, but I had no idea what she was talking about. “Nothing. Why?”
“You’re quiet and clearly that phone is more interesting than family dinner.”
“The dinner is delicious,” I assured her. “But the rest of this,” I motioned around the table to all the family members gathered and sighed, “isn’t really my business. Is it?”
She gave a short, displeased nod at my words. “I suppose not, but that doesn’t answer my question. What’s going on with you, Madison?”
“Nothing,” I sighed. “I’m just worried about my sister, Molly. I miss her, and so far, there’s been no trace of her anywhere and now, with Mueller gone, my chances of finding her are practically nil.”
I glared at Kat. She didn’t even bat an eyelash at the fact that I was losing my shit and she had answers that she refused to give to me. Big surprise. It pissed me off, of course, but one of the things I’d learned in my time with the Ashby family is to choose your battles.
“So that’s what’s up with me.”
Sadie nodded and slid a look to Kat that made me believe she also knew whatever secret they were all keeping from me. What I couldn’t figure out, was why. I wasn’t stupid enough to believe I held any value to them beyond being another of their worker bees, so what was the point of lying to me?
“And that’s all?”
“What else would it be?”
I knew I was treading on thin ice, but what was the point in asking what was wrong with me if she didn’t actually give a damn.
“That’s why I’m asking.” Sadie said and took a bite.
“Finding Molly would solve my problem, Sadie. That’s my biggest worry, the only concern I have in this world. That’s it.”
I glared at Kat for a long time but she was unaffected, or just plain oblivious. At the end of the day, it didn’t matter. I was on my own.
“We’ll find her,” Sadie said, her voice strong and certain. “I promise.”
Yeah, I think she believed that. The problem was, Molly could be alive today, but that could change at any moment.
“She’s not your problem, Sadie. I know there are a lot of other things going on that you all need to address. Molly is my concern.”
“Molly is our concern as well,” Jasper assured me. His voice was full of frustration, though, as if he couldn’t believe I was worried about my sister. Didn’t I know there was a double murder investigation going on, his tone suggested, that would—very likely—bring all kinds of law enforcement agencies to their door?
He merely said, “But right now, we have more immediate concerns.”
“Yeah, I just said I understood that.”
I didn’t need them to explain to me that I wasn’t their priority, but I also didn’t need to burn bridges, so I grabbed a fork full of mashed potatoes and shoved it in my mouth with a smile. “No worries,” I said around the mouthful before turning my focus back to the food.
Eventually the meal was over—finally—and most of the family retired to Sadie’s parlor. Maisie left for work, leaving me with Ava Rose in the empty dining room. Without the familiar warmth of her father, the baby fussed until I rose from the table when the staff came to clear the dishes and bounced her in my arms while I paced the length of the dining room.
