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“We’ll find him,” Ian assured me. “We were taught that every security system has a hole. It’s our job to figure out where that void is and fill it.”
I stared at my brother and nodded. “I know. The problem is that we haven’t filled it. There’ve been no sightings around town, either.”
“Maybe he went back,” my brother offered.
“I’m starting to think that could be the case.” I ran my palms over my face and groaned. “I’d imagine he has to show up for his job. The last one listed was as a software analyst, and when I called the firm, they verified his employment as of three days ago.”
“Ah, the joys of remote work, a stalker’s delight.” Ian nodded and pushed himself off the couch. “I’m meeting Melanie for dinner. Is there anything else I can do? I fly out tomorrow to New Mexico for that job we took on. I have a team meeting me there in the afternoon.”
“No. I’m fine. Thanks for picking up the slack.”
He smiled and shook his head. “It’s what we do.”
“So are you and Melanie…?”
Ian’s mouth pulled into a smile. “Yeah. Things are going well so far.”
I was truly happy for my brother. I just hoped that Melanie wasn’t skewing his views on Sadie, and I couldn’t even fathom why they could be a thing.
I laughed. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“That doesn’t set the bar real high, does it?” Ian did a quick wave as Sadie came bounding down the hall, nearly colliding with him.
“Now that’s what I love to see,” I said, smiling at her.
“Guess what?” Her eyes sparkled in a way I hadn’t seen in a long time.
“What?”
I think I already knew.
“Carmella is officially booked. Her prison ID is 1707A1, and I don’t have to think about her for at least a few years.” Her grin was wider than I’d seen for weeks, and it made me wish I could produce the same response in her, but none of that mattered.
All that mattered was that Sadie felt better. She could finally breathe in a deep breath without worrying about Carmella around the corner. We just needed to ensure the same about Tim.
Ian gave Sadie a quick hug. “Congrats. We’ll get this other bastard, and you can start living your life again.”
Her cheeks blushed, and she glanced at me. “Thanks.”
Ian nodded and walked out the front door as Sadie dove into my arms for a hug.
The warmth filled my soul as I felt her body relax into mine.
“I can’t believe she’s finally gone, at least for a few years.” She looked up into my eyes. “I’ll just take what peace I can get.”
I nodded. “It’s all we can do.”
She took a step back. “I know this might sound crazy, but can we go celebrate?”
My chest tightened. “You mean out?”
Sadie giggled, and she knew that was my weakness. I loved her giggles and laughs. It was like a melody that wrapped around me and dropped me to my knees.
“Yeah. You know what? I was talking to my brother about Tim, and I don’t even think he’s in town.”
Her expression lit up even more. “You don’t?”
I shook my head. “I don’t, but I think we should still take precautions.”
