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“Right, luv,” the PA responded.
Jared slid his gaze to me. “Where to first?”
“Derek’s apartment,” I replied, rolling back my shoulders.
Jared teleported all three of us there. I searched the place but found nothing of interest. After speaking with the neighbours, I learned that Derek had been seen talking to someone in the alley between two of the stores yesterday evening.
Heading into one of the aforementioned stores, I questioned the manager, but he claimed to have seen nothing. The manager of the other store, however, was more helpful.
“Yes, he was out there last night,” she told me. “I couldn’t hear what was being said, but it seemed like he was arguing with his ex-boyfriend.”
I stilled. “Which one?”
“Coop,” she replied.
I nodded. “Thank you.” Outside the store, I looked from Sam to Jared. “I think we should speak to him.”
“He’ll be at the Command Centre,” said Jared.
Only Coop wasn’t there at all. And since the commander he worked for was off on an assignment with his squad, there’d been no one around to notice Coop’s absence.
Sam cricked her neck. “I think it’s time we paid him a visit.”
“I’ll get his apartment number from Fletcher—he’ll be able to look it up,” said Jared, whose eyes then went out of focus, so I assumed he was telepathically contacting the assistant.
I twisted my mouth. “So both Derek and Coop are missing. Think there’s a chance one targeted the other?”
“Well Derek allegedly cheated on Coop, so it’s possible that Coop wanted revenge,” mused Sam. “On the other hand, Derek doesn’t seem to be pleased that his attempts to win back Coop aren’t working. Derek could have lost his temper or something. That’s assuming there’s been foul play. We can’t know for sure yet.”
“How long has Coop been a resident here?” I asked.
It was Jared who replied, “About six years. Derek’s lived here for over a century.”
“And there have been no cases of—” I cut off as a horrid shrieking sound came from outside. Not from somewhere close by, but from in the near distance. “What the fuck was that?”
Sam frowned. “No clue.”
(Maya)
“This is the best news,” said Ava, linking her arm through mine as—having finished our lunch and required to go on yet another hunt—we walked past cafes and restaurants on our way to the main gate. “I know Ryder still needs time before he can fully commit to you on every level, Maya, but it’s major that he’s working toward being in an emotional place where he can do that.”
Smiling, Cassie nodded. “I knew he had it in him, I just wasn’t sure if he’d step up to the plate any time soon. I don’t mean that in an insensitive way, I know he has his reasons for struggling to commit. I can understand.” She looked at me. “I just felt that you and he would be good together, so it was sad to see him hold back.”
“I’m assuming he made this leap because you told him it was time to part ways,” guessed Imani. “You said at the pool that you would. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure you’d actually do it.”
“I did announce that I was done,” I told them. “That was when he turned into Mr. Sharer. He told me some things—none of which I’ll repeat, so don’t ask—that made me understand him better. More, he was clear that I don’t in any way remind him of the woman he lost. I needed to hear that.”
That was the most I’d reveal unless Ryder ever gave me the go ahead to say more—something I doubted he’d ever do. He’d agreed to be more open with me, but I couldn’t foresee him extending that courtesy to others. He was too private by nature.
“I’m so happy you guys are gonna take a chance,” said Keeley. “Although I’m happier that Sebastian agreed to give things a shot with me.”
We all stared at her, stunned.
Paige grabbed her arm. “He did? Seriously?”
Keeley nodded. “I went to see him last night and—”
“Um, Maya?”
Startled by the new voice, I blinked as I pivoted on the spot. “Oh. Arlo. Hi there.” I frowned at the sombre look he wore. “Is something wrong?”
He glanced at my squad members and then refocused on me. “Could we talk in private for a moment?”
I shrugged. “Sure.” I turned to the others. “I’ll just be a sec.”
“We’ll wait for you at the gate,” Cassie told me, casting Arlo a curious glance before walking away.
Once Arlo and I were alone, I asked, “So what’s wrong?”
“Nothing at all, as a matter of fact.” He lifted his chin, all smugness. “I just thought it would be fair to let you know that, well, Coop and I slept together.”
I pursed my lips. “I see.” And I was glad to hear it, because it worked out quite nicely that both Coop and I could now move forward with the people we truly wanted.
