Page 63 of Lost Lake
Hayden perked up. “I’ll fill the tank up with some coffee and get started right away. It’d help me make connections if I had a list of kids enrolled in the daycare.”
“No can do,” Gabe said. “We tried earlier to get one from the director. She refused, claiming client privacy. I’ll ask El to request a warrant, but don’t hold out hope. It’s not likely we have probable cause to get one. I’ll also ask the director if she knows anything about the van.”
Hayden stifled a yawn. “I’ll let you know the minute I find anything.”
Gabe bumped fists with his teammate and jogged out of the building, Jude hot on his heels. After they both settled in his truck, he pointed it toward the sheriff’s office located in Seaside Harbor, the county seat.
Jude glanced across the pickup cab at Gabe. “I’m shocked El agreed to your help so easily when she was adamant about you staying out of the investigation at first.”
Gabe could feel Jude’s focus on him, but he didn’t look at his buddy. He was fishing for information Gabe didn’t want to share.
“Something change that you want to tell me about?” Jude asked.
Gabe should know his teammate would keep pressing him until he answered. Persistence was one of the hallmark traits of every member of the team and why they’d succeeded on all of their investigations so far. Even so, he answered, “Not really.”
Jude shifted in the seat to face Gabe. “‘Not really,’ as in, something hasn’t changed or you don’t want to tell me about it?”
“Tell you about it.”
“But you will, right? I mean, we don’t keep secrets from teammates.”
Gabe groaned. “Sometimes you guys are as determined as the local gossips.”
“Weareinvestigators after all.” Jude chuckled. “But seriously, did you reach some sort of professional or personal truce?”
“Personal,” Gabe admitted, since he couldn’t lie. “You know we’ve got a thing for each other, right?”
Jude snorted. “Bro, the whole world knows.”
Gabe looked at him and rolled his eyes. “Anyway, we agreed to pursue it, but tabled it until after we locate Lucy and find Kenna’s killer.”
“Congrats, man.” He gave Gabe’s shoulder a playful punch. “That’s great news. I’m glad to see you both found a way to get past whatever was stopping you.”
“Trust me.” Gabe was shocked at the raw emotion in his own voice. “We didn’t put that aside. If we don’t figure it out, this could fail big time.”
“What’s your issue?”
No, Gabe wasn’t going there. Thankfully, the sheriff’s office was just ahead.
He glanced at Jude. “That’s a story for another day. Now we need to focus on that van and what it means to finding Lucy before time runs out.”
That put a silence in the cab for the duration of the drive. Gabe parked near El’s vehicle and didn’t wait for Jude. He slipped off his seatbelt and rushed up to the front door, where he texted El to notify her they’d arrived. Jude joined him. He should probably be thankful a third party was with them. Their conversations were less likely to drift to personal issues.
She came to the door. His heart lurched
Calm down. This is a business meeting. Nothing more.
“Perfect timing,” she said, pulling the door in and standing back. “My search returned nine vehicles, and you can help me narrow down the list.”
Gabe shared a quick look with her, but he couldn’t read her expression and he wouldn’t ask. “After you, Jude.”
“Whoa, who knew you could be polite at this time of day?” Jude laughed.
And they could count on him for comic relief, too. Gabe was in no mood for humor, but he appreciated his teammate’s help and forced out a laugh.
“C’mon,” she said to Gabe. “Get inside so I can make sure the door latches. Wouldn’t want to violate security protocol.”
He stepped past her, catching a whiff of her citrus-scented shampoo or lotion. She pulled the door closed with a reverberating click and followed the same process with the lobby door leading to their bullpen.
