Page 42 of Caged

I spent more time thinking about that, and other things he’d said, than working on Wendy’s case. Feeling guilty, I stayed up later than I should’ve to get my notes updated and organized.

When I finally stood and ordered myself to go to bed, the voice in my head sounded a lot like the youngest Sheppard.

I refused to think about what it might mean.

Chapter 18

Jay

We met with the team early Wednesday morning to share new updates. By that time, Wendy had been missing at least four days, and our chances of finding her dropped with every passing hour.

“I didn’t find anything new,” Maxwell said, staring at her whiteboard.

“I did.”

Maxwell turned towards me, her raised left eyebrow the only sign of her shock.

She wasn’t the only one who’d worked late into the night. And it wasn’t because I felt guilty knowing Maxwell kept working—I could hear the clock ticking down for Wendy.

“What, you think you’re the only one who works on cases at home?”

“I was under the impression you were too tired to workafter we left.”

I didn’t miss the snark in her voice. Sighing, I changed the subject. “My gut wouldn’t let me sleep so I researched the plaza and the empty suites.” I opened my laptop and signed in. I mistyped my password, and had to try again.

Her patience ran out. “Well, what’d you find?”

Christ, it’s not like I did it on purpose.

I opened my file. “Both tenants were bought out of their leases early by a shell corporation. I don’t have a name yet, but I’m guessing it’s Roman.”

“We don’t guess,” she said. “We research, we dig, we verify.”

Don’t roll you eyes. Don’t say anything you’ll regret.

“I know that, Maxwell. But I also know when to trust my gut. And my gut is telling me Roman is expanding his business into the surrounding spaces.”

She stood, rolling her shoulders back, trying to be taller than her five-foot-seven inch frame, crossed her arms over her chest, and stared at me.

I could see the thoughts swirling as micro expressions flashed across her face.

She finally said, “Tell me more.”

“Can I use your printer?” I asked.

“Of course. It’s available to anyone on the server,” she didn’t roll her eyes but her tone suggested she wanted to.

I sent the docs to the printer as I continued, “Roman owns other properties, a lot of them, but what if he wanted to use the Quick Wash to consolidate his gambling ring?”

She grabbed the papers from the printer. “Continue,” she said as she started reading.

“The Quick Wash plaza is a relatively new purchase and six months after buying it he bought his neighbors out of their leases.”

She glanced up.

“For the sake of my theory, let’s assume it’s him.”

She nodded. “Okay, go on.”

---