AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let’s go back to SPD,” Rigby said. “It will keep us closer to the action.”
“I think I should go check out the campground Eads and his buddies were staying at this weekend,” I told Lio.
“Already made the call to Sheriff Gunderson,” Rigby said.
Lio slid his hand into mine. “I need you here with me.”
“Then that’s where I’ll be.”
SPD was bustling. It seemed like every officer was on hand and ready to assist. Alyssa and Lio thanked those who spoke directly to them as we made our way to Rigby’s office. We discussed our options, but there weren’t many.
“I’d like to make a plea directly to the public,” Lio said. Holding press conferences was something he did weekly, but rarely were they his suggestion.
“I’ll set it up,” Rigby said, then exited her office.
It surprised no one that the commissioner got everything ready in under thirty minutes. I’d never been prouder of Lio as he and Alyssa stood at the podium.
“Tonight, I not only stand before you as your police chief, but as a father.” Lio’s voice cracked, and he paused to regain his composure. “Someone came into my home this evening and abducted our fourteen-year-old son.” Alyssa held up an eight by ten of Alex’s latest school picture. God, he would be so pissed when he found out. No one took a good school picture. Lio relayed what little they knew while staring directly into the cameras. “If anyone has seen our son or has any information about who might have him, we’re begging you to call.” He rattled off the phone number and stepped aside so Alyssa could speak. She ran through Alex’s height, weight, and what he was wearing when he was taken.
“Please help us,” she said.
They ended the press conference without taking questions from reporters, and we returned to Rigby’s office to do the worst thing in the world: wait. We weren’t there long before someone knocked sharply on Rigby’s door. She bade them to enter, and a dark-haired officer informed her Dylan Eads was at the precinct and wanted to speak to Rigby, Lio, and Alyssa.
“Did he show up voluntarily, or was he brought in?” Rigby asked.
“Voluntarily,” he replied.
“Keep your cool, Lio,” Alyssa urged as we headed to the interview room where Eads waited.
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” he replied, which might have been more believable if he wasn’t cracking his knuckles.
Eads had come alone and looked like a complete wreck. His hands went up in surrender the moment we entered the room. “I did accept money from Savant to alter the outcomes of investigations and prosecutions, but I didn’t do this,” Eads said, shaking his head vigorously. “I didn’t take your son,” he said to Alyssa before looking at Lio. “And I didn’t shoot at you.”
As much as I hated it, I believed him, and that was scary as hell. If not Eads, then who was behind the attacks?
“I’ll do anything to help,” Eads said, his eyes pleading for them to believe him.
I saw the moment Lio recognized the truth too. His shoulders slumped, and I placed my hand on his lower back. “We will find Alex.” Lio turned, met my gaze, and nodded.
“Do you think Savant could have hired someone to shoot at Lio and take his son?” Rigby asked.
“It’s possible, but he never mentioned anything like that to me.” Eads’s eyes widened. “I could record our phone calls and find out.”
Rigby nodded jerkily. “It’s worth a shot. Come with me.”
She led Eads out of the room, and it felt like the air got sucked out with her. Alyssa groaned and buried her face in her hands. Russ leaned in and spoke quietly to her. I rubbed my hand up and down Lio’s back, trying to find the right words to say. My phone rang, scaring the shit out of me and everyone else, judging by their alarmed expressions. I checked the caller ID and was surprised to see Amber Abbott’s name. I hadn’t spoken to Jeremy’s ex-wife in four or five years and had forgotten I had her number. My first instinct was to send the call to voicemail, but it had to be an emergency if she was calling. I’d vowed to be a better friend to Jeremy, so I pointed to my phone and then the hallway.
“Hello, Amber,” I said when I closed the door behind me. “Is everything okay?”
“Hell no, it’s not,” she snarled. “You tell Jeremy he has twenty-four hours to get in touch with my attorney, or I’m going to make sure his revoked visitation rights become permanent.”
“Whoa,” I said. “What are you talking about?”
“He missed his court appearance today, and I’ve had enough of his crap, Abe. Twenty-four hours.”
“I’m sorry, but why are you calling me?” I asked.
She snorted. “Because you’re helping Jeremy hide from his responsibilities.”
