Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(43)

23





Walker





“What?” I barked in answer to the knock on my door.

Ashlee hesitantly poked her head in. “S-s-sorry, Walker, but someone is here to see you.”

I grimaced and pinched the bridge of my nose. I was an asshole. And a grumpy one at that. It had been three days since Taylor had nearly bitten my head off and stormed away. I had been sleeping for shit since then. I hadn’t once seen her around town or at my parents’ house. My mom said that she didn’t think she’d even been by to go swimming, and Jensen said she’d been polite but mostly silent while at work.

I was worried about her. And I was fucking pissed. And then I’d swing back to worried again. Something was wrong. The more I thought about that scene on the road, the more I realized that Taylor hadn’t even been close to okay that day. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her hands had been shaking the way a victim’s did when they were in shock.

Once I’d realized that something was off, I went by the guest cabin. No answer. I called, left messages, texted. Not a word. When I finally threatened to let myself in with the extra key I had, I got a single text back: I’m fine. Just need some alone time. Please respect that. If you can’t, I’ll find someplace else to live.

That had pissed me right the hell off. She knew she had the trump card and had no qualms about using it. So, I’d left her alone. And much to everyone around me’s chagrin, I’d become a prickly curmudgeon in the process.

Ashlee uneasily cleared her throat, and I was brought back to the present moment.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been a dick lately. Been frustrated about a few things, but that doesn’t give me the right to take it out on my co-workers.”

Ashlee’s entire frame relaxed. “It’s all right. We all have bad days.” She eased into my office, clasping her hands in front of her. “Is there anything you want to talk about? I mean, just as friends,” she said, blushing.

I thought about confessing to Ashlee that I had a tenant who I was insanely attracted to, possibly falling for, who was driving me up the wall, but I decided against it. “No, that’s all right, nothing you need to worry about.”

She pushed her hair behind an ear. “Okay, but if you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

“Thank you, Ashlee. That means a lot.” I straightened a pile of papers on my desk. “Now, who’s here to see me?”

“Right.” Ashlee jolted slightly as if just remembering why she had come to my office. “Barry Stevens is here.” She bit her bottom lip. “Do you think Caitlin sent him?”

I groaned. God, I hoped not. If Caitlin had told her father that I had used and then dumped her, this would be one uncomfortable conversation. “Go ahead and show him in. And ask him if he’d like anything to drink.”

“Will do,” she said, scurrying to the door.

“Thanks, Ashlee. You’re a big help.”

She turned, and an even deeper blush stained her cheeks. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you think so.”

I took the next few moments to steel my spine for the possible onslaught to come and straightened the cluttered nightmare of my desk. A quick rap sounded at the door. “Come in.”

“Deputy Chief, Mr. Stevens for you,” Ashlee said in a more professional tone.

“Thank you.” I turned my gaze to Barry, who looked exhausted. “Mr. Stevens, please have a seat. Can Ashlee get you anything to drink?”

He took a seat opposite me. “No, no. She was already kind enough to ask. And please, call me Barry.”

I nodded at Ashlee, and she turned to leave. “All right, Barry. What can I do for you?”

The man, somewhere in his sixties, wrung his hands. “Caitlin’s missing.”

My shoulders straightened, and I leaned forward in my seat. “How long has it been since you saw her?”

“About four days now. She’s usually real good about calling her mama and checking in, even if she doesn’t come out to the farm as much anymore, but we haven’t heard from her in over three days.”

I grabbed a notepad and pen and began to scribble notes as I nodded at Barry to continue. “I thought she might’ve taken off for a few days to lick her wounds. See, I heard what she did at the bakery, going off on you and your lady friend.” His cheeks pinked slightly. “I’m real sorry about that, by the way.”

“No apology necessary. When emotions are involved, we can all say and do things we don’t mean.”

“That’s kind of you to say.” He rubbed a palm over a stubbled cheek. “Well, at first I thought she’d taken off because she was embarrassed-like, but my wife finally got ahold of Bridgette, and Bridgette hasn’t heard from her in days neither. Now, Caitlin might not call her mama and me, but you know her and Bridge. Attached at the hip, those two. Something’s wrong, Walker. I can feel it my bones.”

I didn’t have a good feeling either. Caitlin was more likely to cause trouble than go quietly into the night. “Barry, we’re going to get right on this. I’ll get the word out to all patrol units in the county to be on the lookout for her and her vehicle. Do you have a key to her apartment?”

“Yessir. I brought it with me.” Barry’s hand shook as he handed me the brass key, and I felt a tightness in my chest as I took it. Caitlin and I might’ve had a rocky ending, but she was a good daughter.