Page 81 of Forbidden Secrets
“No, what’s going on?”
“Neither of them are answering their phones.Donna drives a blue van.You see it in Mel’s driveway?”
He didn’t need to check.“No van.Melanie’s car is gone too.”
“Damn.I’m on my way back from Sacramento.I’ll be home in twenty minutes.”
“Why the alarm, Paul?”
“Got a call from the animal shelter where Donna volunteers,” Paul said.“She didn’t show up for her shift this morning and she’s not answering her phone.I thought Mel might’ve heard from her, but calls to both of them go straight to message.”
The unease ratcheted up, tugging at Gage’s gut, and experience told him to listen.
He put the phone on speaker so he could swipe through screens.Fuck.He’d missed a call from Melanie when he’d been working out.She’d left a text.
He read it quickly and swore under his breath.“Melanie texted she’s on her way to the Lockwood Mill to help Donna,” Gage told Paul.
“Lockwood Mill?Why is Donna there?And help her with what?”
“She doesn’t say.I don’t like this.They’ve got no business going out to that mill, especially when there’s a storm brewing.I’m calling Sawyer.I might be jumping the gun, but I don’t care.You’re worried about Donna.And with the threats Melanie’s been getting, I’m not taking any chances.”
“I’m heading home to see if Donna left a note,” Paul said, strain evident in his voice.
“Good.I’ll stay in touch,” Gage told him.
He tried Melanie’s number again.It went straight to voicemail.
Phone on speaker as it rang Sawyer’s cell, Gage moved swiftly through the house.He grabbed his Glock from the safe, clipping it to his waistband, and snagged a pair of handcuffs.
“Something’s going on with Melanie and her mom,” Gage said the minute Sawyer picked up.He laid out the situation as he knew it.He didn’t have to convince Sawyer of the urgency.
“I’ll call a team together to go up to the mill.That place is derelict—those women shouldn’t be anywhere near it,” Sawyer said, his words clipped.“But there’s something else.Chase Bradford was picked up last night.DUI.We held him in a cell overnight to sober up.Guy was a fucking mess.Wouldn’t stop mouthing off.”
“What about?”
“Beth Guerrero was the arresting officer.She reports he railed against a whole list of people who’d ruined his life.You topped the list.Called you the ‘FBI fuck-hole.’”
Gage rubbed a hand over his jaw.“Did he mention Melanie?”
“Beth said he ranted about ‘bitches’ screwing him over.Could’ve meant Mel, his ex, or even Beth.”
Gage tossed Pancake a biscuit and grabbed his keys.“He get out?”
“Yeah, this morning.Released on his own recognizance.His old man took him home.”
“We need to know where he is,” Gage ground out.He didn’t know how Bradford could be involved with whatever Melanie was up to, but he didn’t trust the bastard.
“I’ll call the bank, see if he’s at work,” Sawyer said.“If he’s not, I’ll send a unit out to check his house.I’ll breathe easier once we’ve got eyes on him.”
“You think he’s gone off the deep end and done something stupid?”Gage questioned.
“Don’t know.He’s a loose cannon, and I don’t like that now we’ve got two women who’ve gone off-grid.I have Mel’s number and I’ll authorize a cell tower ping.I want to know where she’s at, and I’m not wasting time on a warrant.”
“I’ll have Paul send you Donna’s number.Ping hers too.”
“Will do.I’ll call back as soon as I get something.”
Gage ended the call.He was anxious to get on the road.His head jerked up when Shane’s pickup pulled into his driveway.He headed outside, locking the door behind him.
