Page 65 of Protecting his Heart

“We will. We have resources we didn’t have before,” Evan said, tightening his hold. “Let’s get dressed, and we can head over to Brett. We might be able to help more there.”

By the time they walked into Sec HQ, the place was a hive of people. Evan hadn’t expected so many people to be around at four in the morning, but it was busier than Windsor’s streets during a royal event.

“Brett, do we know anything yet?”

Brett glanced over and shook his head. “We can’t find any sight of her on CCTV so far. There is more to look through, but the last we see of her is when she finished school and her father picked her up and took her home. We don’t have evidence of them entering their home, but the cameras can see them turning onto their road. This was at three-thirty this afternoon.”

Owen looked at Evan. “Did Edward mention if they went out last night at all?”

“No. Let me call him back.”

Brett held up his hand. “I think it might be better if you visit him. You can see the house and see if there are any signs of entry anywhere.”

“We’re not forensic experts, Brett,” Owen said.

“I know. That’s why you’ll be taking Roger with you. He is.” Brett gestured to a tall, lanky guy who had blue overalls on and looked more like a medical examiner than a forensic expert.

Evan and Owen shook his hand. “Nice to meet you,” Evan said.

“I wish it was under better circumstances,” Roger said.

“Head over to Dr Wallis’s house and see what you can find. Keep me updated.” Brett moved away, effectively dismissing them.

“All right, then.” Owen headed for the door, and Evan and Roger followed, the latter grabbing a large bag, which Evan assumed contained the equipment he needed to do his job.

They said little on the quick journey, and when they finally pulled up to the house, Evan was surprised that no one else was present. He would’ve thought the police would already be there. When he voiced his thought, Roger said, “Brett requested the police stay back until I’ve done my investigation. Too many cooks, and all that.”

“Understandable, I suppose,” Evan murmured.

They headed to the door, and Evan knocked. Edward flung it open, and seeing the hope fall from his expression tore Evan apart.

“Evan,” he said.

“Edward. Can we come in?”

Edward seemed to come back to himself and gestured for them to enter. “Yes, sorry. Would anyone like anything to drink?”

“No, we’re good, thanks.”

They followed him into a living room, where a woman said on a sofa with a blanket around her shoulders. She went to stand, but Evan stayed her.

“Please, sit. We have a few questions to ask if that’s okay?”

Edward settled beside what Evan assumed was Anika’s mother. “Of course. This is Rebecca, Anika’s mother.”

“First, I’m sorry to be here under these circumstances,” Roger said, “but I’m a forensic scientist. Would you allow me to look at your daughter’s room, please?”

Rebecca nodded and wiped her face. “Of course. I’ll take you.” She stood, pulling the blanket tighter around her body, and they disappeared.

Evan refocused on Edward, who wrung his hands in his lap, staring at the coffee table. “Edward, can you walk us through when you last saw Anika?”

He blinked at them, sniffed and nodded. “Yes. Um… We had dinner at six-thirty. Just me and Anika. We watched a movie after doing the dishes, and then she headed to bed. That was about ten o’clock. Usual time for a school night.”

“Did she seem her usual self?” Owen said. “No arguments or upsets she mentioned?”

Edward shook his head. “When I picked her up from school, she was happy and laughing with her friends. She usually walks home when she’s not at my house, but I like picking her up because it gives me more time with her. She says she doesn’t mind.” He glanced at them. “Do you think she does and is putting on a brave face for me?”

Evan could understand the man focusing on random information instead of the details they needed, but he couldn’tstop himself from reassuring him. “If she’s anything like you’ve mentioned, I’m sure she would tell you if there was a problem.”

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