Page 23 of Keeping Collette

She hated asking the question, but it was one that needed to be asked. Her sister’s life depended on it.

“I don’t think so,” Hound affirmed. “I’ve read the reports, and the way those people were killed with precision cuts. I’m not sure they have that in them. I’ll concede with the beatings the victims received, it would fit how Mal and Jim operate. From memory they were always toward each other. They’re more likely to shoot and ask questions later. But–”

“Well, they clearly have no issue pulling guns on each other,” Deal said dryly. He pressed play, and the footage continued.

Collette watched Hound instead of the screen. She’d lived it, she didn’t need to see it again. As Jim had walked away, the look he’d given both her and Deal had been one of disinterest, even if he had lingered on her for a second. If he’d seen Courtney, surely there would’ve been a bit of a spark of recognition, as she and her sister did look alike.

Had he hurt Courtney?

Had he assaulted her? It could explain why she’d disappeared from there. Maybe she lost her phone. Or Mal had taken it and smashed it. Perhaps she’d gotten herself somewhere safe and was recovering, too scared to leave because of what might happen if she did.

Collette clung to those thoughts, not wanting to think that her sister had been another victim to the killer that lurked around that area. Nor the other thought that she was in some far-flung country being forced to do horrid things.

Hound didn’t flinch as he heard his brother and cousin yelling. Or the fact that they’d pointed weapons at each other. His eyes were fixed on the screen. She chanced a glance at Deal and found him watching his teammate and friend as well.

As if aware of their scrutiny, Hound shifted his attention away from the screen to them. He quirked an eyebrow. “Something you want to say?”

Collette shook her head. “No, I’m just sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

“That you’re seeing your family like this. It can’t be easy, especially after all this time.”

Was she making the situation worse? She didn’t know, but she wanted to let Hound know that just because he shared blood with the men on the screen and she’d only met him a couple of times, she could tell they were very different people.

“I admit it was a shock seeing them after all this time, especially Jim, as we were close as kids. But then he hit puberty and changed. Lived the classic, clichéd life—got mixed up with the wrong crowd. He hasn’t been my brother for a long time. As for Mal,” he snorted. “He was a shithead as a kid, so it doesn’t surprise me he turned out the way he did.”

Hound was saying all the right things, but Collette couldn’t help but think deep down, he missed his family, even one as dysfunctional as his own.

“I think we should get Cass to do a deep dive into them. I’m sure there’s chatter about them on the dark web. Or the forums that Cass involves herself with,” Fox said, his voice a little calmer now, as if being back around his friends was what he needed.

“I’ll see her after and let her know what I know—which isn’t much,” Hound said.

“The question is, were either of them involved with Courtney’s disappearance? Or know the people involved?” Deal stated.

“We’re no closer to finding any trace of her than we were yesterday.” Collette slumped in her chair, defeat sitting square on her shoulders.

The faint hope she’d had minutes ago that Courtney was hiding somewhere recovering, faded.

It had been a false hope anyway.

Chapter Twelve

“I don’t think you should be alone tonight.” Deal stood outside Collette’s front door as she inserted the key into the lock.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” she groused back.

“Not saying that you do, but today’s been a lot. For everyone.”

Even he was still getting his head around the fact that Mal and Jim were related to Hound. Everyone on the team was aware that Hound didn’t have a close relationship with his family. That it was a subject he didn’t like to talk about, which they respected. All of them had shared information on their families only when they wanted to.

“Fine. We can order some takeout.” Collette crossed the threshold before he had a chance to halt her progress.

There was probably no need to clear her apartment of any danger, but ingrained habits were hard to break.

Once inside, he scanned the small living area and kitchen combo. “Is the bathroom down there?” He pointed to the small hallway.

“Yep. First door on the left.” Collette dumped her purse on her kitchen counter.