Page 79 of Surly Sheriff
Time for me to move on.
It was fun while it lasted, but as the saying goes … all good things come to an end. Please, don’t follow me. Or look for me. You won’t find me. And truthfully, neither should you try.
Raegan.
With an angry sweep of his arm, he sent the notepad and rings and keys and cellphone to the floor.
And let out an inhuman roar.
*
Three days later, he pulled up outside a used car lot in Lincoln. According to the local police department responding to the missing person’s report he had filed, they spotted a green Pontiac Firebird in the showroom.
His chest pinched when his searching gaze settled on the familiar vehicle gleaming emerald bright in the sunlight filtering through the expansive windows.
He entered the showroom, and within seconds a salesman appeared before him. Beau flashed his badge. “Deputy Stirling.” He pointed to Esmeralda. “What can you tell me about the Pontiac?”
The man’s face fell. “Knew the deal was too good to be true. Was it stolen?”
Beau shook his head, fighting to remain calm. Everything in him wanted to grab the man by his shoulders and shakethe information out of him. “Not stolen, but part of a missing person’s case.”
“Missing person?” The man — Lance, according to his name tag — narrowed his eyes. “That son of a bitch had the gall to report the pretty ladymissing?”
Disconcerted by the vehemence in the man’s voice, it took a beat for Beau to reply. And, of course, his professionalism evaporated. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Lance took a step back.
Beau lifted his hand and rubbed his jaw. “Sorry. It’s been a day.” Or three. He pulled out one of the photos he’d printed from his shirt pocket. “Is this her?”
“That’s her.”
“Then please, tell me about the” — he swallowed — “pretty lady who sold you the vehicle.”
“It was three days ago, just before closing. Noticed her the moment she pulled in here. I mean, it’s not every day a classic—”
Beau growled.
The man took another step back. “She wanted to sell the Pontiac. Had the title to prove ownership. I offered her fifteen K. She agreed but insisted on cash. I gave her the money. She signed the papers and walked out.”
“That it?”
“Yes, Deputy.”
“What did you mean by the ‘son of a bitch’ comment?”
“Well, the lady was clearly upset. Her eyes were red, puffy. Like she’d been crying. And skittish. She was very skittish. I asked her what’s the matter, and she mumbled something about her beau and needing to get away. I figured an abusive boyfriend.”
Her beau? “Anything else? Did she say where she was headed?”
Lance shook his head, but then his features brightened. “She was on foot and turned right once she reached the sidewalk. There’s a motel just up the street. Maybe she went there?”
Beau headed straight for the motel. It was barely one notch up from seedy. He shuddered, thinking of Rae spending even one night in the place.
“Yes. I remember her,” the young woman said, hauling out the register. “I was on duty when she arrived. She stayed here … oh, two, three nights ago.” The receptionist ran her finger down a page. “Ah. Here it is. Rae Williams.”
“I need to see the room.”
“She’s not there. As I said, she only stayed one night.”
