Page 54 of Lost Truth
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Cady grew antsy and looked around the group to judge their moods. She wasn’t used to this much discussion and planning. Once a story was assigned to her, she was her own boss for the most part. Sure, her editor reviewed her articles and suggested changes most of the time. Even when she didn’t agree with the changes, her editor was very reasonable, and they could talk them out until they reached a compromise.
But this? All the rules law enforcement had to consider? Then waiting on forensics. The sitting. The hoping. She was a doer, and if writing a story, she would’ve rushed right out and interviewed these people. Or if they were unavailable right away, she would’ve looked for other sources who might give her the information she needed.
She wasn’t one to not speak up when she had an opinion, even if others wouldn’t like what she had to say. “This forensic business is great, but it feels like we’re wasting time waiting for it and not acting. This is our only lead, so what can we do until we have the forensics results?”
“Agreed.” Hayden faced Mina. “Do we have your permission to search the boat on the beach?”
She nodded. “But after my deputies and forensics processed the place, I don’t expect you’ll find anything. If you do by some off chance locate something, make sure I’m the first person to know about it.”
Hayden looked away as if he wouldn’t promise.
“The team still has plans to tail Wade Collins tomorrow night,” Reece said.
He cast Reece a thankful look, likely for the change in subject, though Mina didn’t take her eyes off him.
“But to Cady’s point,” Reece continued. “None of us wants to sit around and wait on the Veritas Center, so we should be keeping a covert eye not only on Collins but Palmer too.”
“To be perfectly technical, that’s sitting around too.” Jude laughed.
Hayden rolled his eyes. “But it’s actively sitting around. I call dibs on the first shift with Palmer, and you know there’s no way I’ll miss tailing Collins when he makes his boat run.”
“I’ll go with you on both,” Cady said and waited for him to disagree.
“Sure thing.” He sounded casual, but his hands clenched on the table.
Didn’t he want her with him? Maybe he was simply concerned for her safety, but maybe he didn’t want to be alone with her.
“Dude, not a one of us thought you’d miss out on that excitement.” Gabe chuckled. “I call second dibs on Collins, but watching these guys? Boring. I’ll pass if you don’t need my help.”
Nolan looked at Gabe. “I can prepare a schedule. See if we need you or not. I’ll email the details to everyone.”
“Just a reminder.” Mina made eye contact with everyone at the table. “We coordinate on everything, and none of you are to take any action. Let my team handle it.”
Cady wished she could take a picture of the team members’ faces. Mina was doing her job, and apparently doing it well, but their disappointment took center stage. Gabe’s expression also held a bit of rebellion as he lifted his chin and pointed it at her. He was the wildcard in the group. No question about it. If anyone went rogue and struck out on his own, it would probably be Gabe.
“Other than calling dibs on stakeout times, how do we start?” Cady asked. “I mean, we have to first find the guys.”
The team turned to look at Reece.
“Okay, fine.” She grinned. “Good old Betty Lou can handle that for you.”
Reece put her fingers to her ear and mouth as if on the phone. “Oh, Mr. Palmer. I’m so glad I reached you. This is Betty Lou from the neighborhood watch. We’ve had a rash of break-ins in the neighborhood. I’m in charge of calling everyone to find out if they’ve had a break-in or any evidence of an attempted break-in. Are you at home and can you check your front door for any damage?”
“Good old Betty Lou sure can come in handy.” Gabe chuckled. “Now all she needs is Palmer’s phone number.”
“I’ve got it in the reports I filed for the mayor’s investigation.” Abby opened her laptop, and within moments, jotted something on a piece of paper and slid it to Reece. “Here you go, Betty Lou. Palmer’s cell phone. Best of luck in tracking him down.”
Abby and Reece shared a chuckle. Over time, Cady had seen these fine investigators use humor to cover up the awful situations they were involved in. She wasn’t sure she could laugh quite as easily with such dire consequences on the line, but she suspected they’d learned it when they witnessed horrific things in their former law enforcement jobs.
Horrific things like the trafficking of defenseless women they encountered in the cave.
Was there anything worse than taking a human being against her will and selling her to the highest bidder? Or forcing someone to participate in slave labor? Or more horrific, to participate in prostitution? Something Cady didn’t want to think about.
But shehadto think about it. She had to think about these men who could be so cruel and even responsible for her father’s death. If they were the men she sought, she would make sure they paid in every way allowed by the law.
Cady fidgeted in the passenger seat of Hayden’s vehicle and couldn’t seem to settle. She’d been jumpy since Hayden took her to their well-stocked equipment room and armory. He’d said they could use the downtime to search the abandoned boat while Reece tracked Palmer’s location, and he wouldn’t proceed without the right gear.
