Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(56)

“What the hell is this BS that Ashley is missing?” Her father’s voice boomed out of the phone, no speakerphone needed. “I left her in your care. How can she be missing from a military academy? They barely let cadets off the grounds.”

She was afraid. She wanted to see me.

The truth hurt, so Deb settled for the facts.

“She was on her way back to the Academy. The police found the car she borrowed abandoned at a bus station.”

“Well, they damn well better find her, too.” Her father sounded every inch the general. “Tell me what happened!”

Deb forced her voice to remain steady. She recognized his rage and didn’t want to push it. She might be called the Admiral, but, because of his volatile temper, he was often referred to as The Bastard General, among other, less polite things. The name fit.

She gave her father the facts, just the facts, including the discovery of Britney’s body.

“This girl played some stupid game with the same kids as Ashley and now she’s dead?” he barked. “What the hell is going on over there?”

Deb held the phone away from her ear. “Gabe suspects all four members of Ashley’s team are missing.”

“Who’s Gabe? He the Homicide detective?”

How did she explain Gabe? What he’d meant to her efforts. Without him, the police would still think Ashley had run away. She chanced a glance his way. His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white. He met her gaze, offering with his eyes to step in. She shook her head and shifted away from him, staring out the passenger-side window.

“He’s someone . . . helping me with the investigation.”

“I caught that hesitation. You two shacking up or something?”

She wished. The thought whizzed through her head and she cleared her throat. “No.”

“Good. I don’t need you screwing around while your sister’s missing. You find her. You hear me?” Disdain laced every word.

“I’m doing the best I can, Father.”

“Yeah, well, we both know that your best isn’t always good enough.”

The pain came too swift, like a dagger buried deep. She didn’t need the reminder. Memories of the soldier crying out to her to bring the helicopter back peppered her mind. His name. Tate Tinsley. He’d had a mother, a father, two sisters, and a brother. A wife and three kids.

She couldn’t speak, just gripped the phone tighter.

Gabe reached across the seat and grabbed her free hand. He threaded his fingers through hers and squeezed. Half of her wanted to pull away and curl up in a tiny ball. The other half wanted to hand him the phone.

She resisted both.

“The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has a detective on the case.” She struggled with each word. “They’re working with the Colorado Springs Police Department. They’re doing everything they can.”

“They could always do more. I’m stuck in Afghanistan, Deborah. Can’t get leave.”

Code for something big was going on—more important than his family.

“You keep your mind on your business. Stay after them. Stay in their face. And don’t screw up again.”

Her father ended the call.

Deb lowered the phone from her ear, the cell slipping from her shaking hand.

She looked over at Gabe, then down at their entwined hands. He squeezed hers tight, and she let him. She just prayed he didn’t ask her to explain.




Even out the corner of his eye, Gabe could see her taking her father’s words inside. He would love to reach through the phone and pound some sense into the SOB. The guy seemed to relish cutting Deb down—and somehow Gabe knew it wasn’t because the General was worried about Ashley.

Gnawing on how to comfort her, Gabe turned the corner and headed the SUV back to his place. What could he say? “Your father—”

“Don’t,” Deb said quietly. “Don’t say anything.” She stared down at her hands and didn’t say a word. “He is what he is.”

“You know he’s wrong.”

“Is he?” Deb leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. “It’s my fault she’s out there. She’s my responsibility and no one else’s.”

“We’re going to find her.” Even to himself the words sounded too pat. They were far from locating Ashley.

They both knew it. And neither wanted to admit it.

She tilted her head to the side and opened bloodshot eyes. The bruise had worsened, but that wasn’t what worried Gabe. Fatigue and something more frightening marred her expression. She looked . . . defeated.

“I want to believe you, but sometimes things just don’t work out. Sometimes the good guys don’t win. Britney Saunders didn’t win. Those missing kids, none of them won.”

He couldn’t argue with her. He took the last turn onto his street.

He slammed on the brakes and let out a loud curse.

Deb jerked up. “What’s going on?”

Flashing lights and squad cars surrounded his house and the back of Sammy’s Bar. Cops milled around everywhere.

“It’s obviously not good.” Gabe pulled his vehicle into one of the few empty spots. He twisted in his seat to face Deb. “Look, I don’t know what happened here, but you don’t have to stay. Why don’t you take the SUV home?”