Page 42 of Dead Man's Wish
“Were any of her belongings missing when you came in?”
I thought it over, playing back everything that happened and paying attention retrospectively.
“Her keys and purse are by the front door. They weren’t taken.”
“Phone?” His question was simple, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. I looked around the kitchen. Kel and Mari had matching expressions, waiting for me to respond, and I glanced to the hallway.
“No, I didn’t see it. It wasn’t in the office or bedroom either.”
“Is it on?”
“I-I didn’t even think to check.” I grabbed my phone from the counter, opening her contact and checking the location sharing feature. I stood up, almost knocking the barstool over in the process. Mari stepped forward, hopeful.
“Jaiden—” Bishop started cautiously. The blue dot pulsed, and Mari saw it too.
“It’s on and I’m going.” I hit the directions button and looked at Kel. He nodded, easily reading my silent question.
“Jaiden, listen, I can have a team ready in two hours.” He looked down at the map loading on my screen. “That’s across state lines. You know I have to go through the proper channels. It’ll take you three hours to get there.” He put his hand on my chest as I tried to step past him.
“It could take a lifetime and I’d still try. You have to go through proper channels; I just need to avoid getting arrested.” I broke through his weak restraint and headed for the front door. Mari and Kel were hot on my heels with no questions.
“And if it’s a trap?” Bishop called after us.
“And if it’s not?” I turned around, and he already had his phone out and was dialing. “Do I just leave her there, wondering if I’m going to show up? If she’s—” Emotion tightened my throat. “If she’sgonethen I’ll follow her there, too, and you won’t need to worry.”
“I need to collect evidence, investigate,” he pleaded with me. Holding the door open, Mari and Kel walked through before me. Blue lights lit up my front yard as people wandered the property with bags and cameras.
“Collect whatever you want. Call whoever you want. I’m getting my fucking wife back.” I stepped out, leaving him in the doorway, looking after us.
“Hey, let dispatch know to not engage. Yeah, license plates . . .” Bishop’s voice trailed off as I moved farther down the walkway. He’d do the right thing. I trusted that much.
“Are we doing this?” Mari asked behind me. I stopped at my bike, sliding on my helmet and buckling the strap.
“Damn right we are.”
They broke away to their car. I set my phone up in the holder and brought the motorcycle to life, revving the engine and letting softness take a backseat. Rage coursed through my veins. I had a chance now.
Redemption.
Hold on, Little Swallow.
Nineteen
Journal Entry
August 17, 2018
Brent Hale
I didn’t see Nicky today. Bexley rejected me. I found some trash in the street and disposed of it. When I came back, Nicky had snapped. It was too close and when I walked around the corner near my apartment, there were police cars and yellow tape. I stood at the corner behind a tree and watched. The officers had Nicky’s wrists in cuffs as they walked to the cruiser. Deranged shouting filled the air alongside the wail of an ambulance siren.
Nicky wouldn’t be my problem anymore.
This wasn’t the code we chose to abide by.
We didn’t act out toward each other.
We didn’t act carelessly and without a plan for cleanup.
