Page 25 of Lost Lake
Waiting to hear the worst possible news, he shoved his hands into his pockets and fought the urge to flee from having to hear it.
She slipped under the fluttering yellow tape and stopped close to him. “I got the email from your phone company. Your alibi holds.”
Good news, but… “What about the diver? What did he say?”
“They finished searching the immediate area and didn’t find anything else. He asked if I wanted him to expand the search.”
Gabe let out a slow breath like air leaking from a forgotten balloon. “Did you tell him to do it?”
“Yes. Our suspect could’ve used a boat. Other factors could’ve caused her to sink away from the shoe, so I had him extend it another five thousand square feet. He said it’ll take about five hours. I have too many other priorities to deal with to wait for them to finish.”
“Makes sense,” he said, though he wasn’t sure if he could leave while they were still searching the water for his sweet Lucy.
El glanced at her watch. “I’ve got about forty minutes until Sierra arrives. Enough time to search Kenna’s vehicle and the ravine.”
“Can I come with you?” He expected a no, but still foolishly hoped she wouldn’t say it.
“With your alibi checking out, for once, I can say yes.” She gave him a clipped smile. “Give me a minute to tell my deputy where we’re going. Then we can head out.”
He nodded, and she whirled around to march over to Deputy Ewing. His eyelids were drooping and his shoulders sagging. In a forceful, almost stern tone, she directed him to call if Sierra arrived while she was away or if anyone else discovered new information. Lastly, she reminded him no one was allowed on the crime scene without her permission.
She strode back to Gabe, her posture stiff, and her gaze intense. She might’ve shut him down, but she would do everything possible to find Lucy, not quitting until they had results. She had the same intensity that drove him. She would burn the world to save a kid. He suspected something in her past fueled that driving force. He badly wanted her to share the reason with him.
“I’ll drive,” was all she said, whipping past him toward her vehicle.
At about five ten, she was a good four inches shorter than him, but he nearly had to jog to keep up. He’d barely settled inthe passenger seat when she made a quick U-turn and whipped onto the highway.
He clicked his seatbelt. “Seems like you know where you’re going.”
“I mapped it out and reviewed satellite photographs after I left the inn.”
“Did you get any sleep at all?”
She shook her head.
“Me neither.”
“Then let’s hope we’re both alert enough to do our best work today.”
“A good reason to have two sets of eyes on things.” He glanced at her. “Have you ever worked a missing person case before?”
Pain slashed across her face, and she gripped the wheel tightly. “Once.”
“Was it a child?”
She nodded but didn’t continue.
“Seems like it didn’t turn out well.”
She ran a hand over her hair, smoothing the bun she wore daily, already cinched back like she was heading into battle. She claimed it, along with her serviceable suits with white button-downs, helped other guys forget she was a woman and treat her as an equal. Something that shouldn’t occur in law enforcement today, but still did.
“I was just a rookie.” Her flat, emotionless tone and rigid posture said something different. “I responded to a missing child report. A five-year-old taken from a public park. I was first on scene and followed department protocol. But…”
Her words drifted off, and she cleared her throat. “I made a critical misjudgment. I believed Victoria had simply wandered off, so I didn’t immediately escalate it to a potential abduction.By the time the truth became clear, it was too late. Victoria was never found.”
“Oh, man. That must’ve been rough.”
“Especially when her parents blamed me and demanded a case review. I was cleared of misconduct, but I…” Her voice choked, and she shook her head.
