Page 43 of Jobe

“Well, hello to you too,” she joked.

“Sorry, but I need to come pick you up and need to know where you are,” he explained.

“What’s wrong? Is it mom?” she asked worriedly.

“No babe, but I need to get you now.”

Realizing that he would tell her when the time was right, she said, “I’m just heading out of the DSS building.”

“Stay there and I’ll pick you up out front in about ten minutes.”

“Okay,” she agreed, the uncertainty evident in her voice, as he hung up.

Hurrying to the elevators, she took one down and then waited until she saw the Alvarez black SUV pulling up. Without giving him a chance to double park and open the door for her, she rushed over and hopped into the front seat.

Jobe pulled into traffic, glancing at her, silent but knowing she had a million questions. “I appreciate you cooperating. This needed to be done in person and not over the phone.”

Licking her lips nervously, she twisted her body so that she was facing him. Silently waiting, but not patiently.

“Got a call from Shane. A girl’s been found and they think it may be one of yours. You missing someone and didn’t tell me?”

She blinked slowly, digesting what he was saying.Picked up? Picked up for what? Is he talking about Teresa?

“Babe?”

Her eyes jerked back to his.

“Did you forget to tell me something? About one of your girls going missing?”

“Forget? I…I do have one of the girls who left, but sometimes they do that, Jobe. They don’t all stay, although most of them do and finish the program. But a few get some skills, some new clothes and walk out the door. I…and what do you mean forget?” she said, angrily. “I don’t report to you!”

His lips tightened into a thin line as he maneuvered them through the end-of-day traffic. “I’m trying to protect you, Mackenna. You have someone go rogue, I need to know that.”

“Why? That doesn’t involve you. Or Tony. Or the police. It just happens sometimes,” she retorted, pushing her hair back in frustration.

“When you’ve got yourself and your center in the sights of some gangs, then yes—it does involve us.”

She sat for a moment sulking, then realized how childish that was. Sighing heavily, she said, “Three days ago, I had set up an interview for Teresa Yanez. She had been with us for about two months. Fast learner, smart. She left us with a full breakfast in her, new business clothes on her, and she did not get to the interview.”

“Did you call the police?”

“No, because they won’t do anything,” she said in a huff. Seeing him cut his eyes over to her, she continued, “I tried that before, Jobe. These girls are over eighteen years old. They do not have to stay at the center or in the program. Most that do stay in are successful when they get out. Others leave and go back to the life.”

They sat in silence for a few more minutes when she looked around at the buildings. “Where are we going?”

He pulled to the back of a brick building and she saw the words over the doors.City Morgue. Her gaze snapped back to his as she silently begged for his denial.

Sucking in a huge breath as he parked, he turned to face her. “Doll, I’m sorry. You’re the only one who can make a positive identification right now.”

“Dead? She’s dead?”

Shane walked out of the building and seeing them both in the vehicle, he started for the passenger door. Jobe hopped out and rounded the SUV, assisting her out.

“I…I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered.

He pulled her close, tucking her into his side as he shook Shane’s hand and gave a head nod to Matt.

“Baby, I’ll be with you every moment. I swear if there were another way, I’d do it.”

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