Page 38 of Rescuing Riley
Chapter Fourteen
Riley hadher lips mashed together as though she were thinking very hard.
Grinning, Josh slid a hand over the table. She looked adorable with her nose wrinkled. “What is it?” He reached for her, when she brought her fingers up to her mouth.
“Remember Taylor said that Liza was in a hurry because she was late to meet me?” She held a nail between her teeth. “We should check the hospitals.”
His stomach plummeted. They’d been so caught up in Taylor and mafia men that Josh hadn’t even thought about the possibility that Liza could be hurt.
“We’re one step ahead of you,” Dennison said. “We have our team checking with local law enforcement as well as hospitals in the city. We decided to take the step after speaking with Taylor Manning.”
Riley sagged in her chair. Josh sighed as his mind rioted on one thing. Maybe the two men who had shown up to see Liza the previous week were with the FBI too. Wallace had said that none of Moretti’s men had left Boston.
“Are any of your colleagues here from Boston?” Josh asked. “And how long have you guys been in town?”
Dennison regarded Josh. “We flew in earlier today. And we’re the only two agents here from Boston.”
There went that theory. Josh stared down at the wooden table before regarding Wallace. “Taylor mentioned to us that the men who had shown up at her office, asking for Liza, said they were friends of Liza’s.”
Wallace bobbed his head. “We know. Taylor told us. She also gave us their descriptions. We questioned others at Stitches, but no one could tell us anything, although we haven’t talked to Liza’s boss. He wasn’t there.”
Maybe Riley was wrong about Taylor hiding something.
“We have to check in with our team.” Wallace pulled out a business card. “Call me if you think of anything else or hear from Liza. In the meantime, are there any rooms available here for the night?”
Since it was midweek, there should’ve been some availability. “I’ll check.” Josh pushed to his feet.
Riley popped up too, when her phone rang.
Josh held his breath, hoping it was Liza.
“My brother,” she said. “Sorry, I have to take this.” She sashayed out of the restaurant and into the lobby.
Josh tapped on the table. “Hang tight. I’ll be right back.” He wound his way around empty tables, passing a couple of waiters who were setting up for the dinner crowd.
Once Josh reached the lobby, Charlie trotted up, wagging his tail. At the same time, Dad wheeled out from the office that was located around the corner from the front desk.
“Son, what’s going on?” Dad’s voice was so loud, it echoed in the small hallway where the office and restrooms were located.
Josh held up a finger, motioning for his dad to hold on. “Drake, can you set up the agents with two rooms?”
Drake nodded his bald head as he went to work, tapping on keys.
With his finger, Josh motioned to the office. “Come on, Dad.” He didn’t want anyone in the lobby to hear their conversation, and in the confines of the office, Dad wouldn’t have to shout for Josh to hear clearly.
Charlie followed Dad and Josh inside then hopped up on the loveseat that banked the side wall. The office was a modest size with the essential desk, chair, and filing cabinets. At times, the space was claustrophobic for Josh, especially after he closed the door.
Dad wheeled over and parked himself behind the desk where Josh usually sat. “Son, tell me everything.”
Josh began pacing, wearing a hole in the carpet across from Dad.
Josh didn’t want to burden his dad with what-ifs or speculate. Dad had been through enough with his ALS and the loss of Mom. He didn’t need to worry over Liza, who was like a daughter to him.
A knock sounded, then the door opened, and Riley poked her head in.
Man, she was a sight for sore eyes, even though she hadn’t been gone but five minutes. Josh waved her in and had the urge to wrap his arms around her, and inhale her fruity scent.
She gave Josh one of her groin-tightening smiles. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
