Page 52 of Beautifully Broken Pieces
“I’m sorry. I’ve been a dick lately. Been frustrated about a few things, but that doesn’t give me the right to take it out on my co-workers.”
Ashlee’s entire frame relaxed. “It’s all right. We all have bad days.” She eased into my office, clasping her hands in front of her. “Is there anything you want to talk about? I mean, just as friends,” she said, blushing.
I thought about confessing to Ashlee that I had a tenant who I was insanely attracted to, possibly falling for, who was driving me up the wall, but I decided against it. “No, that’s all right, nothing you need to worry about.”
She pushed her hair behind an ear. “Okay, but if you ever need to talk, I’m here.”
“Thank you, Ashlee. That means a lot.” I straightened a pile of papers on my desk. “Now, who’s here to see me?”
“Right.” Ashlee jolted slightly as if just remembering why she had come to my office. “Barry Stevens is here.” She bit her bottom lip. “Do you think Caitlin sent him?”
I groaned. God, I hoped not. If Caitlin had told her father that I had used and then dumped her, this would be one uncomfortable conversation. “Go ahead and show him in. And ask him if he’d like anything to drink.”
“Will do,” she said, scurrying to the door.
“Thanks, Ashlee. You’re a big help.”
She turned, and an even deeper blush stained her cheeks. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you think so.”
I took the next few moments to steel my spine for the possible onslaught to come and straightened the cluttered nightmare of my desk. A quick rap sounded at the door. “Come in.”
“Deputy Chief, Mr. Stevens for you,” Ashlee said in a more professional tone.
“Thank you.” I turned my gaze to Barry, who looked exhausted. “Mr. Stevens, please have a seat. Can Ashlee get you anything to drink?”
He took a seat opposite me. “No, no. She was already kind enough to ask. And please, call me Barry.”
I nodded at Ashlee, and she turned to leave. “All right, Barry. What can I do for you?”
The man, somewhere in his sixties, wrung his hands. “Caitlin’s missing.”
My shoulders straightened, and I leaned forward in my seat. “How long has it been since you saw her?”
“About four days now. She’s usually real good about calling her mama and checking in, even if she doesn’t come out to the farm as much anymore, but we haven’t heard from her in over three days.”
I grabbed a notepad and pen and began to scribble notes as I nodded at Barry to continue. “I thought she might’ve taken off for a few days to lick her wounds. See, I heard what she did at the bakery, going off on you and your lady friend.” His cheeks pinked slightly. “I’m real sorry about that, by the way.”
“No apology necessary. When emotions are involved, we can all say and do things we don’t mean.”
“That’s kind of you to say.” He rubbed a palm over a stubbled cheek. “Well, at first I thought she’d taken off because she was embarrassed-like, but my wife finally got ahold of Bridgette, and Bridgette hasn’t heard from her in days neither. Now, Caitlin might not call her mama and me, but you know her and Bridge. Attached at the hip, those two. Something’s wrong, Walker. I can feel it my bones.”
I didn’t have a good feeling either. Caitlin was more likely to cause trouble than go quietly into the night. “Barry, we’re going to get right on this. I’ll get the word out to all patrol units in the county to be on the lookout for her and her vehicle. Do you have a key to her apartment?”
“Yessir. I brought it with me.” Barry’s hand shook as he handed me the brass key, and I felt a tightness in my chest as I took it. Caitlin and I might’ve had a rocky ending, but she was a good daughter.
I stood. “I’ll send some officers over to her apartment now to take a look around. We’ll do everything in our power to find her as quickly as possible.”
Barry rose, as well, reaching out a hand to shake. “Thank you. I appreciate you taking this seriously.”
“Of course. I’ll keep you updated.” I shook his hand and handed him a business card. “Here’s my card. It has my cell number on the back. Call me if you hear anything.”
He nodded and made his way to the door. As soon as it was closed, I sank back into my seat. This was not good. I quickly put out an APB on Caitlin and her car and then sent Greg and another officer over to her apartment in hopes they’d find something that would point us in the right direction.
My cell buzzed, and I glanced at the screen. “Hey, Little J.”
“Walker.” Jensen’s voice sounded worried.
“What’s up?”
