“They were in the tenth grade when Lauren went missing. She simply vanished one day on her way home from school. Cori had stayed home that day sick, so Lauren was walking by herself, something that no one worried about. After all, this is Coyote Ridge. Bad things don’t happen here.” Governor Greenwood hung his head. “Until they did.”
Yep. The worst-case scenario, as Reese had expected.
“Despite efforts by her friends, family, and the police, Lauren was never found. They had a couple of leads early on, but nothing ever came of it. After a while, the police stopped looking as is the way with many missing person cases. The trail goes cold, the file gets tucked away in a drawer because they have to devote their resources elsewhere.”
“You’d like us to find her?” Brantley asked, his tone hesitant as though he knew he couldn’t promise anything.
Governor Greenwood turned around, leaned against the railing. “Of course I would. Her and all the other people who’ve gone missing. It’s what everyone who’s experienced that sort of loss wants, right? Someone to open that cold case, to delve in and find the child, sister, brother, mother, friend they lost.”
“Governor Greenwood—”
The man held up his hand, halting Brantley. “It’s not feasible, I get it. However, I can tell you, those people won’t ever be found if someone’s not actively looking for them. Someone who doesn’t have to follow the rigorous rules and regulations put on them by an overtaxed law enforcement agency. You did it, right? Kate was your single focus and you worked diligently to bring her home.”
“Sir—”
Governor Greenwood glanced at Reese, then back to Brantley. “Don’t get me wrong, I know they won’t all have a happy ending. Unfortunately. However, I do believe I owe it to the residents of this great state to give them a chance at finding their loved ones.”
Confused, Reese continued to stare at the man, trying to understand what he was requesting of Brantley. Based on the way Travis and Curtis remained silent, they knew where this was headed. The only two out of the loop were him and Brantley.
“What I’d like is for you to lead a special task force dedicated to locating missing people. Past, present, future. You would report directly to me, and from a legal standpoint, I can offer you and your team immunity and means, although, when it comes to your actions, you’d be answering to me, of course.”
Reese knew there wasn’t a halfway when it came to immunity and means. The governor was stating he would ensure there were no legal repercussions for their actions used in obtaining a desired result. In this case, locating a missing person.
“What about funding?” Brantley asked, as though he was seriously considering this.
“You’ll have a budget funded by the state.”
Brantley chuckled. “With all due respect, Governor—”
“As a silent member of your task force,” Travis inserted, “I can provide additional financial resources.”
“So you want us to come to you when we need money?” Brantley laughed.
Travis’s expression remained firm. “No. You’ll have an account. Manage it as you will.”
Brantley glanced over at Reese for the first time. “What do you think about this?”
“Me?” Reese looked at Travis. “I already have a job.”
“If it’s any consolation, I’ve been meanin’ to fire you.”
Reese smiled, hearing the teasing note in Travis’s voice. At least he hoped the guy was joking.
“There you have it,” Brantley told him. “You’re free for the taking. What do you say?”
“Y’all are serious?” Reese wasn’t sure he understood. “A rogue task force funded by the state and cushioned by a millionaire?”
“Millionaire.” Travis snorted. “You hear that, Pop? He left off a few zeros.”
Reese wasn’t even going to touch that one.
“You wouldn’t be rogue,” Governor Greenwood clarified. “More like … off the books.”
Because there was a difference.
“What do you say, boys?” Curtis asked, his question directed at the two of them.
“We get to put together our own team?” Brantley asked Governor Greenwood.
“Absolutely.”
“Meaning I don’t have to include Dante?”
Reese was now more curious about Dante. He’d been introduced the one time at the barn because the guy had been helping JJ, but they hadn’t had a chance to talk. However, it was clear there was some animosity on Brantley’s part, and he was eager to get the story.
Later.
“Like I said,” Governor Greenwood said, “your team, your decision. I assume you’ll utilize whatever resources necessary to accomplish your task.”
“No politics? No hoop-jumping?” Brantley asked.
“None.”
“You came up with this idea on your own?” Reese asked, curious as to what had prompted such a plan.
“Actually, no.” Governor Greenwood’s gaze darted to Curtis. “As much as I’d like to lay claim to it, I received a phone call. Several, actually. We all know the Walkers have a tremendous amount of pull. Needless to say, the seed was planted, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it. It makes sense on many fronts.”
