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“I guess moral obligations mean nothing,” grumbled Mallory.
“Saved her?” Jac inquired, his face etched with worry.
“Apparently, he intervened between his sister and her abusive spouse during a particularly violent episode. Audra left her husband for good after that,” Sharlee explained. “Her brother became her rock, of sorts, even though he was currently being medically discharged. He was ultimately diagnosed as suffering from PTSD and Bipolar.”
Kaden continued. “He was discharged from the Army, but not medically at first. Later it looks like a traumatic experience during deployment led to his PTSD, which came nearly four years after his second hitch. He took the natural out after eight years, right before his sister moved in with him and their mother. For the last six years, it looks like she’s devoted much of her adult life to caring for him. Their mother left right after Audra’s failed marriage. Evidently, they couldn’t get services, and he tried to kill his mother in a PTSD episode during a manic phase.”
Garrett sucked in a hard breath. “Fuck, that man went through hell, and the military missed the diagnosis?”
“I don’t know if he told them. He just didn’t reenlist,” said Kaden.
Sharlee continued. “His mother likely left because it was dangerous. That is probably why she left him, he was an adult, so with no legal obligation and no services, she just didn’t know what to do. Our Oakley diagnosed his Bipolar and, ultimately, PTSD. She got his disability with the military, and social security qualified him for disability due to Bipolar, but it took him going to a facility to get it all finalized.”
“Oakley likely saved this man’s future happiness. It sounds like the siblings have a strong bond,” Callie remarked, her arms folded across her chest.
“Too strong,” Sharlee muttered, her eyes narrowing as she delved deeper into Audra’s backstory. “Her co-dependency on her brother became unhealthy. When Oakley began treating him, Audra saw it as a threat. Audra believes Oakley took her brother away from her. It’s in Oakley’s notes.”
“Enough to kidnap her?” Ryker asked, his jaw clenching as he considered the implications.
“Maybe,” Sharlee replied, her voice filled with determination. “But we need more information. We need to find out if Audra had any contact with Oakley before she disappeared.”
“Let’s get on it,” Jac said, his tone firm and resolute. “We need to find Oakley, and if this is our best lead, we’re going after it.”
“Where can we find the brother?” asked Monroe. “He is our best lead.”
As the team began investigating Audra and her involvement in Oakley’s disappearance, they knew they were entering dangerous territory. But with each new piece of information, they grew more determined to bring Oakley home–and to make those responsible pay for their actions. And they believed it very likely was Audra.
Kaden threw a picture of an assisted living place and an address on the overhead monitor. “I found him.”
Carter stood and leaned over to kiss Becky. “I’m going. If I’m not back before Jac and Sharlee go home, you know what to do.”
Becky rolled her eyes, and Carter leaned close to whisper something in her ear. Becky blushed and nodded. Carter nodded back and dropped another heated kiss on her forehead.
Mark grabbed his gear and headed out with Carter. “Stay home, Jessica,” he yelled at the screen with her face on it.
The video call ended, and all the women’s faces vanished.
Things were hopping, and Ryker couldn’t help but feed on the energy. He had to believe they would find her very soon.
