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“Is this from Callie’s Tavern?”
I nodded. “The last video footage of Lily before she vanished. It shows her coming to the bar, having a few drinks with friends, and then she speaks with Owen Davis before she leaves. But he doesn’t follow her out, and he stays for another fifteen minutes. I haven’t noticed anyone else looking at her or watching her.”
“He doesn’t follow her out, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t see her after he left.”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “From what I can tell, their interactions weren’t tense or forced. She looked comfortable with him.”
“Just because she thinks she can trust him doesn’t mean she can. I’m assuming Callie doesn’t have a camera outside?”
“No.”
“Damn.” His frown deepened. “Have you had Fox take a look at this? See if he can make any enhancements that would help? Are there any cameras from the businesses surrounding the tavern that might have a good view of the parking lot?”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Xander is looking into it.”
August’s eyes snapped to me. “She’s been missing for three days, hasn’t she?” I nodded, and he cursed again. “The Ember Hollow PD don’t seem in a hurry, huh?”
A pang hit my chest. I was thinking the same thing. “I think they don’t want to alarm everyone. Xander is focusing hard on this Owen guy, but he’s not talking or giving any information we don’t already know. The department is trying to keep it low profile to keep from fueling rumors about who might be behind this.”
“Rumors?”
I gave him a pointed look. “This is guaranteed to bring up the Shadow Stalker. Just the mention of him could send the town into a spiral.”
August let out a huff of a sigh. “I understand not wanting to freak the town out, but they need to find her. Seems stupid not to do everything they can. If it is the Shadow Stalker…she has a ticking clock now…”
I knew that better than anyone. “There’s no evidence that something bad happened to her.”
“The fact that she vanished means the probability is that something bad happened to her.”
“That’s why I’m doing everything I can to figure out what happened to her.” My hands clenched into fists. I’d been working constantly since Lily vanished. I could hardly focus on anything else. I had a few ongoing cases that I’d had to put to the side or withdraw from completely.
August stiffened. “I know.” His face softened. “Tell you what, why don’t you go up to the house and get something to eat? Mom is making pancakes.”
My head was already shaking before he finished his sentence. “No, I still have work to do.”
I tried to turn back to my computer, but August grabbed my shoulder. “How about I look through it a few times? Sometimes all you need is a fresh set of eyes.”
“You have time?”
“Yup. I’m heading up security for an event on campus this morning, but I don’t have to be there for another hour.”
August was the brawn of our family. He was ex-military and it was because of him that Hearthstone existed. He was smart, had a mind for tactical planning, and he was strong as hell. The bread and butter of the business was providing security for the college and other events around the state. August led a team that he contracted out when he needed more help than what we could give him.
My gaze bounced between him and the computer screen. I assumed August needed time to prepare for his event, but if he was offering, I wasn’t going to refuse. If there was something I was missing… And he had a point. Maybe what I needed was another set of eyes on it.
And Mom’s pancakes sounded like heaven. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten anything.
Reluctantly, I pushed back my chair. “Okay, if you don’t mind. I think some coffee would do me good, too.”
August grinned as I stood and he replaced me in the chair. “It’s my pleasure, bro.” He grabbed his mug and raised it up toward me before he took a big gulp.
“Call me if you find anything.” I headed for the door.
“Will do.”
My feet felt like heavy weights as I plodded through the office building. I was about to push out through the back door, when my phone rang.
Letting out an exhausted sigh, I answered. “Ramsey.”
