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“Of course not. One woman is more than enough for me.”
“That’s not what I meant. I came home and she’s not here. She didn’t leave a note, and she’s not answering her phone.”
Nakor sighed, and he heard the faint rustle of material.
“I’m on my way. I’ll check with Trogar on the way. I know she’s talked to Pippa a few times.”
Panic was starting to seep into his gut, but he continued making calls. No sign of her at the coffee shop or the book store or the thrift shop. Cody hadn’t heard from her and he was even desperate enough to call Jack. By the time Nakor swooped down a short time later, a red haze had crept over his vision.
“Charlotte stayed at the house just in case she went up there. Is her car still here?”
“Yes,” he growled, fighting for control.
Nakor clasped his shoulder in a hard, oddly comforting grip.
“We’ll find her, but maybe you should call the new sheriff.”
“Eric? How can he help?”
“I don’t know, but it’s his job.”
Willing to clutch at any straw, he called the Sheriff’s Office and Eric promised to come over immediately. Then Trogar arrived, sitting with him while Nakor took to the air to survey the town.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” he growled.
“Nope,” the big orc agreed, calmly whittling a piece of wood.
“You’d be more use out there searching.”
“I doubt it.” Trogar looked up long enough to give him a quick, sympathetic glance. “If she doesn’t show up soon, call my brother. He’s in security.”
Could someone have taken her? His stomach clenched so hard he felt sick.
Eric showed up a short time later, his hard, professional demeanor a far cry from the wild wolf he’d known as a teenager. He took down the information, then frowned.
“And no one’s reported seeing her?”
“No,” he snapped, fighting for control. “And you know how fast word spreads in this town.”
Still frowning, Eric walked down the hallway to the back door, looking out over the patio and garden beyond as Damian followed him, unable to remain still.
“No tracks.” Eric pointed out over the undisturbed snow. “Who’s been here since you returned?”
“You, Nakor, and Trogar. No one else.”
“That should be distinctive enough. Wait here.”
Damian stared through the front window as Eric walked to the sidewalk and back, then began to circle the house.
“What the hell is he doing?”
“Looking for tracks,” Trogar said calmly. “Your mantelpiece ornaments are not in order. Would you like me to correct them?”
“I don’t give a fuck!” he yelled, then started moving from room to room, trying to watch what Eric was doing from inside the house.
The sheriff made two circuits, then returned to the house, still frowning.
“I don’t think she left the house. The only tracks I can find are from the three of you. And they are of a uniform depth so no one was carrying her.”
