Page 16 of Caged

“Take a look at this.” He handed me a small slip with nothing but a street address. “No city, but if it’s in the area it shouldn’t be hard to narrow down.”

He was right. “Bag it.”

I moved on to the desk while he finished looking in the bin.

It didn’t surprise me to find out her laptop was password protected.

“I’d like to take Wendy’s laptop back to the office.” I left out the fact we’d have to hack into it before I could start my research. “This and her phone are the best options we have for finding her.” I’d scour her phone while Doug unlocked her laptop.

“What if she comes back?”

“Call us and we’ll return it to you immediately. I promise you, we’re not looking for anything other than clues to were she might be,” I reassured him.Or whom she’s with.

“Okay. Will I get a receipt like they do on TV?”

I held back my laugh. “Yes, would you like it on paper or electronically?”

“Paper is fine.”

Electronically was easier and faster, but for some reason people always wanted paper.

I grabbed the laptop and put it in a large plastic bag.

“Sheppard will write you a receipt for the phone and laptop?” I asked, handing him the bagged items.

“Can we go to the kitchen?” Jaden asked as he exited the room.

“Sure.”

“Is it okay if I use the restroom?” I asked as I snapped off my gloves and put them in my pocket.

“Of course, it’s just down the hall.”

Chapter 7

Jay

Itook advantage of the time alone with Darling to ask him a few conversational questions while I methodically filled out the receipt. Contrary to what Maxwell said, he seemed more comfortable talking to me without her.

“I’m sorry you have to go through this. How is Mrs. Darling holding up?” From the photos I’d seen in the living room, I guessed she was no longer in the picture. I wondered if he’d told her Wendy was missing; surely she’d be here if she knew.

“She thinks I’m over-reacting.” He played with his finger where his ring had been. “She left me for another guy a year ago.”

My gut twisted into a thousand knots.Cheating bitch. I forced my jaw to relax before saying, “I’m sorry to hear that.” I didn’t have to feign my empathy.

Maxwell returned from the bathroom, but instead of interrupting, she watched from the edge of the room. When I raised an eyebrow in question, she signaled for me to keep going.

“How did Wendy handle it?”

He laughed. “She said she’s fine, but you know what it means when a woman says she’s fine.”

I laughed with him. “Yeah, she’s anything but.”

“She admitted to not liking the guy her mother moved in with, which is why she lives with me.” I considered asking the man’s name, but didn’t want to sidetrack him. It’d be easy enough to find out.

“Do you think he’s dangerous?” I asked.

Maxwell and I watched carefully as he answered.

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