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Her lips tightened as she pressed them together.
Jacquie pulled her blankets back and sat forward. Chase smothered a grin as he noticed she was still wearing her jeans in the hospital bed. No reason to continue to hide she was already dressed. “Listen, Laney. Sylvia has been hurt very badly. We need to make sure someone else out there isn't hurt too. What they did to her...” She shook her head. “No one should go through that.”
Tears filled Laney's eyes.
“Who are the others that went with her?” Chase's voice was soft as he worked his magic on her. It was very effective.
“Our other roommates, Tina and Courtney. They all went to Mexico together. A girl's trip. I wanted to go, but I couldn't get the time off work. No one has returned.” She started to cry. “They were supposed to have been back two days ago.”
Josh put a hand on her shoulder. “We'll do everything we can to find them, but you have to tell us everything you know.”
She gnawed on her lip again. “I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but I don't want them hurt either.”
Jacquie took a deep breath and threw Josh an apologetic look as she stood. “Listen, Laney. Some guy in a hoodie, late twenties, white, with gaunt features and big eyes, around 5'8 and 160 pounds sliced Sylvia open, gutted her like a fish, and left her to die on the bathroom floor of Rick's garage.”
“Why?” She rasped.
“We're not certain, but my guess is she was carrying a belly full of drugs. If your other two friends were with her and they're missing too, then you must help us find them. Forget getting them in trouble, we need to make sure they don't end up dead. Can you do that?”
Chase and Josh’s eyes were wide open with disbelief. Okay, maybe she was a little abrupt but they were running out of time. Josh threw her a scowl as he stepped toward the girl, while Chase leaned back against the wall, dipping his head.
“You know what this is, right?” Jacquie said to Josh. “Those women went to Mexico for drugs. They're mules, and someone wanted their dope back. No reason to mince words, we don’t have time for that.”
Josh winced as he glanced at the tears streaming down Laney’s face.
“I’ll tell you what I can,” she squeaked.
Josh touched her arm gently. “Is there someone you can stay with? It would be better if you didn't go back to your house alone.”
She nodded. “My sister.”
“Great.” He walked her out the door. “This is Ronnie. Give him your sister's contact information. Wait here for a second, then we'll go to the station together and I'll take your statement. Is it okay if we search your house?”
She nodded. “If it will help Tina and Courtney.” She pulled her keys out of her pocket and took her house key off the ring and handed it to him.
“We'll bring the key to your sister's house when we're done.” He nodded to Ronnie, then walked back into the room and shut the door behind him.
“Aiden,” Sylvia called in her sleep.
“Obviously Aiden is involved,” Jacquie said, gesturing toward Sylvia lying in her bed.
Chase kicked off the wall. “My brother is not a drug trafficker,” he insisted. “Something else is happening here.”
Jacquie turned toward him. “You never saw your brother clearly for who he was.”
Pain then regret flashed across Chase's face so quickly she wasn’t sure it had even been there. Her stomach twisted, uneasy—her words had been harsh. She pushed the uncomfortable feeling away. She was right, and he needed to hear it.
Josh stepped between them. ”Listen, at this point, all that matters is finding these two missing girls. Can you two put your differences aside and work together on this case or not?”
Jacquie swallowed a gasp. “Work together? He doesn't work for the sheriff's office?” She couldn't work with him. She wouldn’t!
“He's a much-needed consultant,” Josh said, his tone even, his stare hard. She knew that look, knew she was pushing things too far. She turned back to Chase and stared at him for a long moment. Still drop-dead gorgeous, still annoying and arrogant enough to set her teeth on edge. Could she put the past behind her and work with him? Did she have a choice?
“Considering Jacquie’s condition, I think it would be better if I worked this case alone,” Chase said, walking toward the door and dismissing her.
“I’m fine,” Jacquie snapped through gritted teeth. “I’ll work with him if I must. I'll do whatever it takes to solve this one.” She looked at Chase. “For Sylvia.” And to prove to him Aiden was behind everything.
Josh stared at them both for a long moment. “Good, I'm going to the department to take Laney's statement. Can you go to Sylvia's house and see what you can find?” He handed Chase the key.
