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“Aiden,” Sylvia muttered again.
Jacquie turned toward the curtain between the two beds. “She just started calling for him. In my book that's proof he's involved somehow.”
“Any chance it was Aiden in the hoodie at the gas station?”
She shook her head. “I didn't see the man’s face clearly, but I saw it well enough to know I didn’t recognize him. But that doesn’t mean he’s not involved.”
“Who's not involved?” Chase breezed in through the door.
The sound of his voice sent a blip skipping through her heart. She ignored it. Her body could respond to the man all it wanted, but that didn't mean she had to do anything about it. Only an idiot would go down that road again. The best thing she could do would be to stay as far away from Chase as she can.
“Aiden,” she said, meeting his gaze head-on. “Sylvia won't stop calling for him.”
His eyebrows rose in surprise as he contemplated the curtain. Finally, he turned to Josh. “I looked at the surveillance footage—”
“Excuse me.” A young woman with short-cropped bleach-blond hair and a stud earring glinting in her nose, poked her head into the room. “I’m here to see Sylvia. Is this the right room?”
Josh stepped toward her. “Yes, are you a friend of hers?”
“I’m her roommate. I just heard what happened. It's terrible.” She moved tentatively into the room. “Is it okay for me to see her?”
“Of course.” Josh held out his hand. “I’m Josh Halloway, sheriff of Granite Falls. I was planning to pay you a visit this afternoon. Would you mind answering a couple questions for me while you're here?”
She bit her lip and took a small step backward. “Sure, but I don't know how I can help you.”
“Can you tell us anything about what happened to her?” He gestured toward the curtain.
She gave a slight shake of her head. “I don't think so. I haven’t seen her in a week.” She clutched her purse to her middle as her gaze slid around the room from one person to another until it finally landed on Chase. “Do you know Aiden?”
“Brother,” he responded.
“I thought so. You two look a lot alike.” Her voice was thin and wispy.
“When was the last time you saw Aiden?” Jacquie hoped for confirmation that she was right and that Chase's brother was up to his eyeballs in this mess.
“Last week, right before Sylvia and the others left.”
“Others?” The surprise in Chase's voice matched what Jacquie felt. “What others?”
The young woman took a quick step back, realizing her error. “I really should go.”
“Wait.” Josh moved toward her, reaching for her arm but not touching her. “What others?”
She turned back to him, fear clear on her face.
Jacquie bit her tongue to keep from taking the lead. It wasn't her place, but it sure was hard to hold back. Chase stepped toward the privacy curtain and pulled it open so they could all see Sylvia lying in the bed, hooked up to several tubes and monitors.
The girl's eyes widened and her hand fluttered to her mouth. “Oh!”
“What's your name?” Jacquie's voice was soft. “I’m Jacquie Halloway. Sylvia and I go way back. We were best friends in high school.”
The woman turned to her. “Laney.” Her gaze fell on Sylvia again. “Is she going to be all right?”
“We think so. She's been calling out for Aiden but he hasn't been by to see her, and we're worried about him. Are you sure you don't know where he is?”
She nodded her head. “I’m sure.”
“You said Sylvia left with the others? Who do you mean?” Josh circled back to what they all wanted to know.
