Page 6 of Now Until Forever
Both puffed up a little.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t want to jeopardize your professional reputations by interfering in a police investigation. That could cast a shadow on the work you’ve done, and maybe even get you guys fired.” Carlos let that sink in for a second.
Goatee Guy tipped his head to the other. “Come on.”
They were probably going to look at the security cameras.
Eliana stood at the end of the row, fire in her eyes. Anger. Disappointment. But why would she care that he was in Chicago?
Carlos glanced at the body first, then went over, but he didn’t know where to start.
The director came to stand by her. “Officer, this is Hope Adams, one of our security guards. She found the body.”
Hope Adams? That had to be the reason she was wearing a wig—pretending to be someone other than who she was. For all that he thought of her, he’d never have said she was a liar. But here was the evidence, plain as day.
Eliana started to speak, but Halstood came over, cutting her off. “Already got a statement from the security guard.” Halstood motioned to Eliana with a nod. “You call it in?”
“Yes.”
When she didn’t continue, Carlos said, “We’re secure until they get here.”
After that, Carlos would be on crowd control or watching the perimeter. Ensuring only authorized personnel had access to the scene. Keeping out interlopers.
She was still staring at him. Hope Adams. These people didn’t even know she was one of the ones they should keep out.
The director turned to Halstood. “Can I speak with you?”
“Sure thang, boss lady.”
Carlos clenched his teeth while they walked away, then looked at Eliana.
Before he could speak, she jumped in. “Are you kidding me, Carlos? What are you doing here?” She glanced at his badge. “Wait. That’s not a Salt Lake uniform. You’re…Chicago PD?”
He wanted to shrug it off. “I transferred,Ms. Adams. What’s your excuse?”
She made a face. “I live in Chicago.” Folded her arms. “I work at the Shrine.”
Lest she think him being here wasonlyabout her, he said, “Luci is missing.”
Eliana rolled her eyes. “Luci is always missing. It’s her thing.”
“This time I think she’s actually missing.” Carlos always worried about his sister, but it was more than that. “Something is wrong, and I came here to find out what.”
She lifted her chin, but she just wasn’t that imposing. “You could’ve done that with a vacation.”
He stared her down. Her mom made him quake in his boots—literally. It was why he’d agreed to check on her while he was here. But even though Eliana matched him in height, he wasn’t going to back down. “It’s been months, and no leads. We knew it would take longer than two weeks to find her.”
“‘We’? Still taking orders from everyone else?”
He waved at the room around them like it was the symptom of a disease. “Still doing whatever you want?”
“It’s called ‘freedom,’ and you should try it sometime.”
“I’m not interested in lying just to get what I want.”
“No?” Her eyes flared. “You lie all the time.”
“Why are you picking a fight with me? I need to get back to work.”
