Page 60 of The Last Grift
“You sound kind of sad it wasn’t you.” Gabe rose to his feet and crossed over to peer out the window. He turned to look backat Casey. “I’m impressed by all this logic, I really am, and I’ll go with it for now. But we still don’t know where Elton is.”
Casey hadn’t forgotten about Elton being missing, but he had gotten caught up in putting everything together. At least, he thought they’d figured out the big picture. The details would emerge soon enough.
“Who would be ballsy enough to just grab Elton? I can’t see him going without putting up a fight.”
They were both quiet for a second.
“Should we just call the sheriff and report Elton missing?” Gabriel asked. “He is elderly.”
“Don’t let him hear you call him that. Besides, they’ll likely point out that Elton is an adult and can do what he wants. And he is not vulnerable, he has all his faculties. Although I think it’s possible that Althea Mortine—she’s been the secretary at the TCSO since I was a kid—has her cap set for Elton. She might take us seriously.”
“She might takeyouseriously,” Gabriel said pointedly. “I’d rather not bring myself to the sheriff’s attention.”
“You mean, more than you already have?”
“Yeah, that.”
TWENTY-FOUR
GABRIEL
Friday
Gabe listenedand stared out the front window, hoping he’d spot Elton shuffling up the road with some wild explanation for disappearing, while Casey talked to the TCSO. Neither of them had realized how late it was, and Casey was talking to dispatch instead of his friend. But from Casey’s responses, the dispatcher was concerned too.
After a few more questions and repeating what Gabe supposed was his cell number, Casey ended the call and slid his phone back into the pocket of his coat.
“They’ll drive around the island and keep their eye out, but there’s no call to activate a Silver Alert.”
“No, I suppose not.”
Idly, Gabe picked up Elton’s phone off the table where Casey had set it down so he could call the TCSO. He poked at the screen, making it light up. The outgoing calls taunted him. Who was the unknown number?
“For that matter, what are these two incoming numbers?”Gabe asked, holding the phone out for Casey to see. “Maybe it isn’t who he called, but who called Elton? Of course, his disappearance could have nothing to do with phone calls at all.”
Casey snagged the phone out of his hand and stared down at the glowing screen.
“That number seems familiar.” Frowning, he jabbed a finger at the most recent incoming call.
“Whose is it?”
“Greta, my coworker. She’s in Thailand right now though.”
“Dude, it took you this long to recognize it?”
Casey glowered at Gabe and pulled his phone back out again. “Did she try to call me first and I missed it? Damn, she did. She left a message.” He pressed Play and put his phone on speaker.
“Hey, Casey. I’m going to make this quick. Abby and I are just about to board the plane home. We got an alert that one of the house alarms is going on and off, no idea how long. The cameras aren’t showing anything, so it could just be a false alarm. If you aren’t too busy, would you mind stopping by? Just leave a message on my voicemail and I’ll check it when we land in Tokyo.”
They stared at each other for a second. Gabe couldn’t read Lundin’s mind, but he obviously thought this was a big deal.
“Sorry, Greta, I just saw your message. It’s been a day,” Casey said after pressing the Call button. “We’ll—I’ll head over right now.” He shoved his phone away again.
“Don’t even think you’re heading wherever you’re heading without me.”
Bowie, who’d been lying on the carpet with his head on his paws, jumped up and stood next to him.
“Oh, you too?” Casey said to the dog. Bowie wagged his tail in response. “Well, your nose might be useful.”
