Page 85 of Mountain Freedom
“But—” Jackson started to speak, but I interrupted him.
“Mike’s not going to do anything today,” I said gently. “I know him. He may want to terrorize me, but I guarantee you he wants to succeed professionally more. His new job matters to him. He won’t blow off work to be here.”
Greg and Jackson exchanged glances. I saw Jackson give a tiny, almost imperceptible nod.
Then Greg cleared his throat. “Allison, we haven’t been able to locate Mike. We know he wasn’t home this weekend, and he hasn’t shown up there yet. He might still be here.”
I felt the first flutters of anxiety but refused to give them space. “He won’t do anything at my job. That would destroy his career.”
“Maybe you’re right.” Greg nodded. “But I don’t think we can count on that. Assuming this is him, he’s already crossed the lines into criminal behavior. That’s enough to destroy his career too.”
“Maybe,” I admitted.
“I’ve got a BOLO out for his car. I got the make, model, and license number from his mom. Hopefully we’ll locate him quickly and can wrap all this up.”
I felt myself go pale. “You called his mom?”
“Yep. She hasn’t been able to get in touch with him this weekend, either. And there’s more you should know,” he continued. “Mike’s desperate. His parents were furious when they heard what happened between you two. Put the blame entirely on him. Told him to make things right or risk losing his trust fund. Could be why he’s spiraled.”
“I can’t just blow off work,” I said helplessly, although the truth was I was starting to reconsider. This was Mike though. He was a creep, but I’d never seen even a hint of violence in him.
“I don’t like it,” Jackson said. The look in his eyes made me want to agree to stay with him. But I couldn’t.
“I’ll be fine,” I said, trying to reassure myself as much as him. “Beverly and Danny will be there. We’ll keep the back door locked all day. You can drop me off and pick me up.”
“Mike’s our number-one suspect at this point, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. With anyone,” Jackson warned.
“I know. But I can’t just run away and hide because of personal drama. If I do, everyone will gossip about it for ages.”
Jackson put his hand on mine. “I don’t want to lose you again.”
“You won’t,” I promised.
I only hoped I wasn’t telling him a lie.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jackson
“Can you stop that?”Greg asked mildly.
I looked up, startled, before realizing I was drumming my fingers on his desk. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright. I’m just trying to think here.”
“Same.” I got up and paced the room, trying to relax the knot of tension in my gut. I couldn’t force Allison to miss work. Well, Icould.But I knew she wouldn’t like it, and I didn’t want to be that guy.
“What are you thinking?” Greg leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head, spreading his elbows wide. It was a pose I’d seen many times before, the one he always took when he wanted to bounce ideas back and forth about a case. I was just glad he was letting me be in the loop on this one, even though technically speaking, I shouldn’t be anywhere near it.
He understood though. He’d been there.
I shook my head. “I feel like we’re missing something.”
“Same.”
I turned back and faced him. “I’m also thinking I should be at the clinic right now, making sure he can’t get near her.”
“She told you not to do that.”
