“Very.” He rubbed a hand over his chin.
“I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“For her. For you. For a lot of things.” She touched his cheek. “She lost out on a lot, but I’m glad you figured it out before it went any further.”
“Yeah. Me, too.”
“The experience has made you distrustful,” she said softly.
“I don’t know if distrustful is the right word. Careful might be a better description.”
“Hmm...”
“What’s that mean?”
Sophie shrugged and grimaced. She reached up to rub her shoulder and Luke frowned. “Are you okay?”
“Just sore.”
“Here. Let me help.” His hand replaced hers and he began a gentle massage of the tight muscles. “Your shoulders are like rocks.”
“I know. It’s the worry for Jordan, I’m sure.”
“That’s probably part of it, but the wreck didn’t help. Nor the break-in. You’re going to really feel this tomorrow.”
She glanced up at him with a smile. “I’ll survive.”
He found himself ensnared in her innocent gaze. When his eyes dropped to her lips and the desire to close the distance hit him, he pulled in a deep breath and stood. “I’d better let you get some sleep.”
A flush heated her cheeks and she nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
“If you hear noises and footsteps, it’s just David coming in from his shift.”
“Okay.”
“Unless you hear me yell and tell you differently.”
“Hopefully, that won’t happen.”
“Hopefully,” he echoed. She didn’t move, and Luke lifted a hand to touch her cheek. “I haven’t talked to anyone like that in a long time,” he said. “It was nice.”
“I thought so, too.”
Her pulse fluttered in her throat and he stepped back. “Good night, Sophie.”
“Night, Luke.”
She disappeared down the hall and he waited until the door shut with a soft snick before letting out the breath he’d been holding. “Whoa,” he said softly to the empty room. “What just happened?”
The silence had no answer for him, but one thing was for sure. It couldn’t happen again.
She was too young, too sweet, too innocent. He’d fallen for that before and look where that had gotten him.
No, from now on, he’d keep things strictly professional between them. Certainly no kissing—or even wanting to kiss her. That had come out of nowhere. And now he couldn’t stop thinking about it.
But he had to.
Because he was going to keep things strictly professional.
Because if he didn’t, his heart wouldn’t survive. And he didn’t have time for distractions no matter how pretty she was. He had a boss—and friend—to find. He just prayed he would find him alive.
FIVE
Sophie couldn’t help but think about the conversation with Luke from last night even while she hurried to get ready for work. Something had clicked between them and while she wouldn’t lie to herself and pretend she wasn’t interested in him, she couldn’t pursue anything either. Not that he would be welcome to her interest.
He’d already said he wouldn’t make the mistake of falling for someone so much younger than him. She almost had to smile at the irony. She’d had to grow up so fast, she never really thought about her age as a number. There’d been some days growing up she’d felt as ancient as dirt.
Her age notwithstanding, she just couldn’t get involved with anyone right now. Not when her father and brother needed and counted on her so much. So she could just stop thinking about it—and Luke. Her top priority was finding her boss—and Snapper. Because if she found one, the other had to be close by.
A knock on the door jolted her. “Yes?”
“I heard you moving around,” Luke said from the other side. “I thought I’d tell you to dress comfortable. We’re taking over the next shift in looking for Jordan. I’ll explain more in the car.”
“I’ll be out in just a few minutes.”
“I’ll have coffee and a bagel ready. That okay?”
“Perfect.”
She found her phone and voice texted Katie. How are you holding up?
Not well. He’s never gone this long without contacting me. He’s certainly never gone all night. I’m so scared, Sophie. The fact that the reply came so quick said Katie was sitting by her phone.
I know. I am, too. Hang in there, Katie, we’ll find him. We have to.
I’m trying hard to believe that and not listen to the little voice that knows all the statistics for missing people. I’m praying. It’s all I can do.
I’m adding my prayers to yours. Text or call if you need anything. Even if it’s to have a momentary breakdown. I’ll listen. And probably join you.
Thank you, Sophie. Just knowing you’re out there looking for him helps so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that everyone is going all out in trying to find him.
Absolutely. We love him, too.
Sophie tucked her phone away and drew in a steadying breath. She went into the kitchen to find Luke and the young man she assumed to be David, one of his roommates. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Luke said. He made the introductions.
Bruno lay stretched on a rug in the corner. He lifted his head and popped to his feet to amble over and give her hand a nudge, silently asking for some attention. She scratched his ears while she inhaled the smell of fresh-brewed coffee. Her mouth watered.
David drained his mug and stood. “Sorry to meet you and run, but I promised to cover part of a shift this morning. Pleasure to have you staying here, though.”
“Thank you. You’re very kind.”
“I’ll be home to crash later, though. I hope you find Jordan,” he said softly. “I’ll be keeping my eyes and ears open, too.”
He left, and Luke handed her a to-go cup of coffee and a bagel. “We don’t want to be late. So how’d you sleep?” he asked and motioned for Bruno to come. The dog loped over to the door and sat, tail thumping his eagerness to get the day started.
“Pretty well, all things considering,” Sophie said.
“Yeah.”
“Have you heard anything more about Jordan?”
“That was one of the things I was going to fill you in on. Zach called his parents last night when Jordan didn’t turn up. They’re on their way home. I think they land sometime within the hour.”
“Good, I’m glad they told them. And sad, too, because it means they felt they had to.”
“And that’s not all.”
“Okay.” Her gut tightened.
“They found his vehicle,” Luke said. He opened the door and a soft breeze blew across her face, letting her know it was going to be a warm day.
“Where?” Katie hadn’t said anything in their short text exchange so she must not know. “And when?”
“At the biking trail about five minutes before you walked in the kitchen.”
“Wait a minute. They found his car near the biking trail we searched yesterday? At the Vanderbilt Parkway?”
He glanced at his watch and frowned, silently urging her toward the vehicle. “That’s right. Officers found it on a routine check of the area. A check they were doing more often in hopes that Jordan would show up. Instead, they found his vehicle.”
Sophie planted herself in front of him and he stopped. “That wasn’t there yesterday,” she said. “We—and other officers—searched every square inch of that bike trail.”
“I know. It had to have been left there during the night. Danielle’s working on pulling surveillance footage.” He continued toward the SUV and Sophie hurried after him and Bruno.
Luke started the SUV and backed out of the short drive. “I don’t get it.
Why leave the vehicle there?”
“Lots of reasons.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, but there has to be something.”
They fell silent, and he drove for the next few minutes while they contemplated why Jordan would leave his vehicle there—but not call in to let anyone know where he was or what he was doing.
Finally, Luke sighed. “I don’t know. I can’t figure it out.” A pause. “You mind answering a couple of questions for me?”
“Of course not.”
“What was school like for you?”
She bit her lip and looked away. “That’s your question?”
“Is it weird?”
“A bit.”
“Humor me. I have a reason for asking.”
Sophie hesitated, and he thought she might refuse to answer before she gave a slight shrug. “School was a nightmare before the diagnosis. Mom and Dad had some knock-down, drag-out fights about my grades and Mom used to yell at me that I wasn’t trying and that I was stupid. Dad would yell at her for yelling at me and Trey would just cry.”
Luke drew in a harsh breath. “That’s awful. I had a feeling it was. Which leads me to my biggest question.”
“What?”
“How did you turn out so...?”
“So what?”
“Great. Grounded. Self-confident. I could go on, but you get the idea.”
A smile tilted her lips in spite of the memories. “My dad. He was my rock. My brother’s, too, although Trey had a harder time of it. I don’t think he’s ever really dealt with Mom’s desertion. He was always a quiet kid, but after Mom left, he really withdrew. It’s only lately that he’s starting to come into his own.” By joining the Marines, though? She still hadn’t talked to him about that. And truly, if she thought that’s what he really needed to do, she wouldn’t fight him on it, but he’d always dreamed of becoming an engineer and she didn’t want to see him throw that dream away. Then again, he could always study that while in the service. Maybe she just needed to admit she was having a hard time letting go.
“I’m sorry,” Luke said.
What? Oh. “Me, too. But Dad’s always been there for us. When I was first diagnosed with the learning disability, I was crushed, but Dad raised me to understand that I’m more than a label. He helped me come to know and believe that I have a purpose in life, that I have choices. And if I make the right choices, I can overcome and do pretty much anything I set my mind to.”
“I think I’d really like your dad.”
“You would. I’ll have to introduce you sometime.” She snapped her mouth shut. Now, what had made her say that? “I mean, if you—” She needed to zip her lips. He had no interest in meeting her father. Worry for Jordan was making her grasp at anything that might serve as a distraction. Was that where the attraction for Luke was stemming from? As a way to distract herself?
Maybe.
But she didn’t think so.
“I’d love to meet your dad sometime, Sophie.”
His soft response had her swallowing.
So...what did that mean?
Nothing. It meant nothing. He was being polite and kind and doing his best to keep things from being awkward. She appreciated that but reminded herself that she needed to keep her focus and not let Luke distract her.
At least not yet. She still had a brother to put through college and a father to take care of. And she needed to keep her attention on finding Jordan until he was safely home with Katie and all was right with the world again.
Please, God, let us find Jordan.
* * *
Luke had to admit he wasn’t sure what to think about Sophie anymore. She was smart and beautiful and had thrown his whole mental and emotional well-being into confusion. Generally, he stayed away from the idea of dating anyone who even seemed like they wanted to play head games with him—no matter what age, but especially younger women.
But he had a gut feeling that he wouldn’t have to worry about any of that kind of thing with Sophie. He was almost convinced that she didn’t know anything about playing head games, and if she did, she was above doing it.
He’d spent two years seeing Sophie on a daily basis. How had he been so blind to her true personality? How had he missed that she apparently had more layers than an onion? Because he’d made a snap judgment effectively limiting his ability to see past the exterior. The more he learned about Sophie, the more he wanted to know.
But right now, he needed to keep his focus. What he wanted most was to find Jordan alive and well with some kind of rational explanation for his disappearing act.
Luke wheeled in to the parking area of the walking trail, dodging one of the park’s many landscaping trucks that was being ordered from the area. The man shut the tailgate and climbed into the cab of the truck. With a salute, he vacated the parking lot.
Finn and his dog, Abernathy, along with the Jameson brothers, Noah, Carter and Zach, had gathered in a huddle. Probably discussing the best course of action to take from this point. First thing would be to make sure the vehicle was secured, then decide if the crime scene unit needed to be called. If Jordan had driven the vehicle here himself, then all would end well.
If not, then...
They would fan out and let Finn and Abernathy take the lead searching the area for Jordan. The others had left their dogs in their respective vehicles so as not to be a distraction to Abernathy.
Luke debated about bringing Bruno. For now, he left him in the SUV. He and Sophie approached Noah, who stood next to the abandoned K-9 vehicle. The two officers who’d found it had already taped it off. Just in case. The visible declaration that this was a possible crime scene sent a wave of nausea through Luke.
Please don’t let this be for real. The thought blipped through his mind before he could snuff it. There had been a few crime scenes where he’d simply wanted to turn around and leave, call it a bad nightmare and forget about it. Unfortunately, he’d had to work every one of those. Just like he’d work this one. For Jordan.
Sophie stopped outside the perimeter of the yellow tape while Luke ducked under it.
K-9 officer Gavin Sutherland had Tommy, his bomb detection Springer spaniel, sniffing at the back of the SUV. Gavin looked up and Luke raised a brow. The other officer shrugged. “Didn’t figure it would hurt to be cautious the way things were playing out. No one believes Jordan killed himself, which means foul play is most likely involved in his disappearance.”
Gavin nodded to Sophie. “Someone tried to snatch her because she caught him planting that note in the folder. And now Jordan’s vehicle is found in plain sight exactly where Jordan was planning to go, but Jordan’s not with it?” He shook his head. “Tommy and I were here. I figured we might as well make sure there aren’t any explosives around.”
That was so like Gavin and his “better safe than sorry” motto that Luke didn’t even blink. “And?”
“We’re all good. It’s clear.” Gavin stepped aside with Tommy. Luke drew in a deep breath and slipped on a pair of gloves. At the driver’s side, he opened the door. He’d look for clues about Jordan’s possible whereabouts—and determine if the crime scene unit needed to be called.
Finn opened the passenger door and shot him a frown. “What’d you bring Sophie for? This isn’t exactly her beat.”
Luke met his friend’s gaze. “She was kidnapped yesterday. Then when I took her home, her place was trashed.”
Finn’s right brow rose. “I knew about the kidnapping, of course. Didn’t know about the break-in. That’s not a coincidence.”
“I don’t think so either. I figure she’s safer with me than on her own where someone can have another go at her.” Luke paused. “Besides, think about it. Other than Katie, Sophie probably spends the most time with Jordan. She handles his business calendar as well as some of his personal stuff. If she can give
us information we don’t have to bother Katie with, then I’m all for that.”
“You’ve convinced me.” Finn drew in a deep breath. “Let’s see what we can find.”
Together, they searched, looking for anything that would give them information about Jordan. All officers had been trained in forensic evidence handling, so searching the car wouldn’t be called into question should a court case result.
Which Luke prayed wouldn’t happen. His gut was screaming otherwise and ignoring it was taking a lot of willpower.
A glance over his shoulder sent determination through him. Jordan’s solemn brothers stayed back without being asked. They must have come to the same conclusion. Finding Jordan’s empty vehicle wasn’t good and, as much as they might wish otherwise, had the potential to be very, very bad.
If Jordan was a victim of a crime, they could have no part in the investigation or they would risk the evidence being thrown out should anything come of it. But they would watch and listen and try to help in every other way possible, offering suggestions and advice.
Carter said something, and Noah nodded while Zach frowned then pointed to Jordan’s vehicle. Carter and Noah headed for the trail, dogs trotting along beside them while Zach jutted his jaw and kept his eyes trained on the action around the vehicle. Luke figured the two brothers were going to keep searching for Jordan while Zach wanted to see what he and Finn uncovered.
Sophie stepped up to Zach and squeezed his forearm. He shot her a tight smile that faded quickly. A dart of jealousy flashed through Luke. Not at the interaction between the two. Sophie’s actions were those of a concerned friend, nothing more.
Instead, the jealousy—and slight bit of shame—came from the fact that she was Zach’s friend. Before yesterday, Luke wouldn’t have been able to say that she was anything more than a passing acquaintance. Someone he’d known on a professional basis. Although, if he was honest, he’d admit he found her attractive and had had a few wishful thoughts about her being closer to his age. But he wouldn’t have called her a friend. Before today.
“Luke?” Finn said. “What are you thinking?”
Luke blinked and focused. “It’s been wiped clean,” he said softly.
Justice Mission Page 6
