Page 46 of Raven

She’s been missing for two days, the police are looking for her, and we have had search parties hunting for her. I don’t understand where she can be. We are so scared. We’re on our way back to the station now.”

“She’s either hiding,” I said darkly, “or someone made her disappear.”

“Who was the last person to see her? Why the fuck am I just now hearing this? Why didn’t you call me before now?” I shouted. I turned and saw a light on in the upstairs office. I walked toward that light as Troy talked.

“We were on duty. We thought she was home. We’ve been so busy with these fires that we had no idea she wasn’t here until Kelley called and asked if Beatrice was going to pick up Mike. Katherine was the last person to see her. They went somewhere together. The police talked to her. Katherine said she dropped her off at home two hours after she picked her up.

When I walked back into the station, and saw Katherine sitting at her desk, seemingly unaware of anything, my blood ran hot. “Why didn’t you answer when I shouted if anyone was here?”

She looked up, her smile tight and automatic. “Raven. I’m sorry I didn’t hear you. You’re back. It would seem your little girlfriend has taken off, and the town is going crazy hunting for her.”

I didn’t return the smile. “Where’s Beatrice?”

Her expression didn’t change. “I told Dan, Troy, and the police—I dropped her off at home two hours after I picked her up. I dropped her off at the entrance, and she just walked through the gate. Said she wasn’t feeling good and wanted to go home right away, and—”

“Cut the crap.” My voice echoed in the quiet office. I slammed my hand down on her desk. “Beatrice never made it home. She’s been missing for over thirty hours. Her phone’s off, her car hasn’t left her garage, and you were the last one seen with her.”

Katherine’s eyes narrowed, just barely. “I already told you what happened. I dropped her off at home. She said she might go shopping.

“Funny. Because her injury made it damn near impossible to drive. And the route you supposedly took? No traffic cameras picked her up. But you—” I stepped closer. “You were seen driving back alone.”

Her smile faltered, just a flicker.

“You think I did something to her?” she asked, her voice just a little too calm. “That’s what this is? You came here to blame me for Beatrice running off to have a little fun on her own.”

“I don’tthinkanything,” I said. “IknowBeatrice. She wouldn’t disappear without a word. She wouldn’t leave her brothers panicking. She sure as hell wouldn’t vanish after going out with you, someone shedidn’t even trust.”

Her lips twitched. “So what are you saying, Raven? That I hurt her? That I dragged her up to Croft Ridge and… what? Killed her and buried her?”

I didn’t blink. “I think something happened out there. And I think you know exactly what it was.”

Silence stretched.

She stood slowly, folding her arms. “You know, Raven… I always admired you. The soldier. The protector. So loyal.” She stepped around her desk. “But sometimes, you put your faith in the wrong people.”

“I would never put my faith in you.”

That got a reaction. A flash of something—anger, maybe. Or fear.

“You don’t have proof,” she said, voice low now. “You have suspicion. And gut instinct. That won’t hold up when you try to drag my name through the mud.”

“You think I care aboutproof?” I growled. “If she dies out there—if anything happens to her—you won’t have to worry about paperwork or lawyers. You’ll be praying I turn you over to the cops after I’m finished with you.”

For the first time, I saw it. The tiniest flicker of panic in her eyes.

I leaned in close. “Tell me where she is, Katherine. Now.”

Her jaw clenched. “I told you—I don’t know.”

And just like that, her mask slipped back on. Cold, and controlled.

But it was too late.

I’d seen it.

Katherine stormed out of the office five minutes later. Didn’t say a word.

I watched her go, my fists still clenched at my sides.

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