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“No, I haven’t seen her since.” I will myself back into the form of a stone statue. A statue that won’t squirm on the chair and give away I’m hiding something. Give away I’m lying.
The corners of his mouth turn up. It’s not a friendly smile. It’s a shiver-inducing smile. A smile that makes my stomach churn, my heart creep into my throat. “Is that so?”
Fuckers, does he know something?
My eyes widen slightly, and I work to wipe away the surprise on my face.
Chief Wilson leans forward another inch, not easily fooled. I can feel the heat pour off him, the flames flickering from hell. “My daughter is missing.” His eyes soften with pain and grief, stunning me.
The shock only lasts a fraction of a second. Then his smile widens, torment and torture glinting in his eyes, replacing the pain. I make the mistake of looking at them too closely. As if they hold the answer for how to take him down. But all I see reflecting from the dark, bottomless pupils is fear. Violet’s fear and my own fear of the man.
The office door opens, startling me. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Like I hadn’t been expecting Chief Wilson to show up.
“What’s going on?” Troy asks, his tone one-stop short of snapping at the man.
The chief’s smile doesn’t fade as he straightens to face his new foe. “I was just inquiring if your assistant has seen my wife and daughter since their disappearance.”
I reach down for Bailey and stroke her, my attention still on the two men.
“What? You think she kidnapped them and hid them in her desk drawer?” A wry smile shifts on Troy’s face, and his tone adds a silent, You really are an idiot.
Chief Wilson’s retorting sneer is enough to cause even the most hardened criminal to take a step back. “What about you? When was the last time you saw my wife?”
“That would be the same time I told the last officer who asked me that question. I haven’t seen your family for several weeks.” Troy’s brow creases into a concerned frown. “Your wife has been missing for over a week, and you’re telling me you still don’t have a clue where she is?”
If the chief had been any other man, one who didn’t repeatedly abuse his wife, I’d have expected to see at least a smidgen of worry and pain flicker on his face when Troy mentions Violet. But not even a hint of those emotions crosses Chief Wilson’s expression.
His nostrils flare. His face reddens. He’s angry. Angry she bested him. Angry he still hasn’t figured out where she’s hiding. “We’re investigating leads, which is why I’d appreciate it if your assistant would cooperate with my questions.”
“I have,” I tell him. “I’ve told both you and the officer who came to my house the same thing. I haven’t seen her since July Fourth. I was at the park near Troy’s house when I saw her. An officer approached her while we were talking, and she left with him. She seemed nervous. Like he had…like he’d been stalking her.” Because the chief of police had sent the officer to keep an eye on her. “Maybe you should be questioning him.”
“Which officer?” he asks, even though he surely already knows.
“I don’t know his name, but if you want, I can go to the station and identify him.” Preferably in front of witnesses.
“Alright. I’ll arrange for you to come in to do that.”
How I manage not to roll my eyes at his insincere comment is beyond me.
Troy crosses his arms, his Marine stance adding to his threatening posture. “Do you have any more questions for us? Or is that it?”
My heart whomp-whomp-whomps in my chest, preparing for another showdown between the two men. This was the reason I broke up with Troy—so he didn’t inadvertently put Violet at a greater risk.
And now that I know the fallout from their last confrontation—the loss of the Bell Automotives sponsorship—I’m scared of what will happen if there’s more conflict between them. Especially if news of it goes public. It could put the festival in jeopardy and hurt the individuals it was supposed to help.
“No, that’s everything.” Chief Wilson glares at Troy, his hand going to his holster, but he doesn’t say anything more.
Fortunately, Troy chooses to also remain silent and keeps his hands off the chief this time.
As soon as the door clicks shut behind Chief Wilson, my breathing comes in fast and shallow. Oh, God. What if he gets a search warrant for my house? What if Violet and I missed a clue of her whereabouts lying around? Or Sophie might fuss if they’re in that space for too long while the police comb through my house?
“Hey, Jess.” Troy says something else, but I have a hard time registering what he’s saying. My thoughts and body are turning numb, and I feel like I’m being yanked beneath the surface. My lungs are filling with fear and despair, and I can’t kick my legs hard enough to break free.
I hear a faint whimper through the numbness, and Bailey jumps her paws onto my lap and licks my hand. It’s enough to snap me out of whatever spell I’m under. But it’s not enough to stop my rapid breaths.
Troy crouches in front of me. “You’re hyperventilating, Jess. Cup your hands against your mouth and breathe into them like you would a paper bag.”
This time his words make sense, and I do as he suggests.
