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"Prison, Dane? Really?" Tommy bit out. He took a sip of his coffee to keep him from saying more.
"I know. I know, okay? But it's not my fault. You've gotta trust me man." Dane's voice broke at the last part, but he pushed on. "I really need to talk to Sofia, and she's not answering my calls."
Tommy figured that had something to do with Sofia's tendency to leave her phone in her purse instead of keeping it on her like most people these days. And it wasn't like she'd call back an unknown number if Dad hadn't left a voicemail.
Good.
"Sorry, Dane, but you should've let Sofia go a long time ago," Tommy replied defensively, immediately protective of his sister. He felt a pang of guilt for not having checked in with her more since she arrived in town. His feelings for Grace may have distracted him, but that didn't excuse his lack of attention towards Sofia's well-being.
"Look, man, I just need to know where Sofia is. Please," Dane begged, desperation clear in his voice. "I can explain everything."
Tommy hesitated, realizing Dane had no idea Sofia was in Snow Hill. He decided to keep that knowledge to himself.
But as he opened his mouth to respond, another call for service broke through on his radio, cutting him off.
"Sorry, Dane, I'm at work, and I have to go," Tommy said curtly before disconnecting the call.
He couldn't afford to get wrapped up in whatever Dane had gotten himself into. With a heavy heart, he headed off to his next assignment, his mind consumed with worry for Sofia.
* * *
Tommy exitedthe police station that night, his mind heavy with thoughts of Sofia and whatever was going on with her ex. He'd told Grace a little bit about his instincts where it concerned his sister and whatever had really brought her to town, and he'd asked her to let him know if their newfound friendship ever led to juicy gossip about it.
His girl had promised that if it was something he needed to know, she'd tell him. But if it wasn't... he'd have to ask Sofia about it himself. It was a fine plan... except Sofia was dodgy every time he tried to get info from her, and he was starting to worry she intentionally made it so there was always someone with them when they were together, acting as a buffer.
She was sneaky like that.
He had to admit, he admired Grace for not wanting to violate Sofia's trust if she chose to tell her the truth. Grace might not know much about forming deep bonds with people, but apparently, she was a natural. He would've preferred that she'd volunteered to be his little undercover spy, but whatever.
Morals and values were good, too.
Tommy's steps faltered as he zipped his coat up to fight the icy chill.
His girl.
That was how he'd just thought of Grace... and yet... was she really his?
"Hey!" Jack called from behind him.
Tommy turned and nodded at his friend, and Jack hurried to catch up. Tommy's somber mood must've caught Jack off guard when he reached his side, however, because Jack lifted a brow and studied him intently.
Maybe Grace was onto something about not having many close friends. Especially friends who were cops and could read people like a children's book with three words per page. He wasn't in the mood to word-vomit about his troubles.
"You okay?" Jack asked.
"Yep."
Jack nodded, ignoring the lie they both knew it was. "Do you have plans with Grace, or do you wanna have a beer with me and Nick? Robin and Abby are having a spa night at my house and it's no boys allowed."
"Does the not-yet-born boy count?" Tommy quipped.
Jack rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone, likely texting Nick.
As they walked toward the pub, Jack commented on how the air smelled like snow was coming.
"Yeah, well, the teenager who works at the ornament shop hoped we'd get some kind of post-apocalyptic storm this year."
Nick walked up just in time to hear that part, joining them as they walked past the inn and toward the pub at the end of the square. "Snow Hill wouldn't know what to do with itself if one of these storms actually got as bad as they say it will," Nick said, shaking his head with amusement.
