Careless Whisper

by Stacy Claflin

  Alex nodded. “When did you see the coyote?”

  “The first time was a few nights ago. I thought it was a loose pet, but when I told my husband what it looked like, he told me what it was.”

  Alex made a note on his tablet. “Have you seen it since?”

  A small face pressed against the screen door. The little boy stared at Alex’s badge.

  “I’ve seen several of them. One has some streaks across its back and another one is darker than the other two.”

  “Three? Do you have any pictures?”

  “A couple, and my doorbell cam got some video.” She showed him the pictures.

  He handed her his card. “Can you email or text those to me?”

  “Sure thing.” She smiled. “I can’t thank you enough for coming out. I’ve been terrified of letting the kids play out front. At least we have a fence in the back.”

  “No problem. I’m sure it’s unnerving. You can also call Fish and Wildlife if you see one. Chances are, they’ll be the ones to take over this case.”

  “I didn’t even think about them. I hope I’m not bothering you.”

  “Not at all.”

  The little kid was still looking at Alex.

  Alex waved.

  The boy ducked out of sight then reappeared.

  Lana glanced over and chuckled. “That’s Trevor. He’s obsessed with everything police related.”

  Alex knelt to his level and looked at him through the screen. “You like police?”

  He nodded.

  “Would you like to see my police car?” Alex gestured toward the street. “I could turn on the lights for a minute.”

  The little boy’s mouth dropped open. He nodded furiously.

  Lana laughed. “You don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Wow, thanks. Mind if I ask the other kids if they want to see, too?”

  “Not at all,” he repeated.

  A couple minutes later, Alex led Lana and five kids out to his cruiser. They climbed in the back and Lana snapped pictures. Then he turned on the lights—but not the sirens, much to Trevor’s disappointment—and the kids cheered.

  Trevor tugged on Alex’s pant leg. “Can I get a picture?”

  “You want a picture with me?”

  He nodded with a finger in his mouth.

  “That sounds great. Let’s stand in front of the car.” Alex posed with Trevor alone, then with all of the kids. He waved as they went back inside before speaking with two other neighbors who had called in concerns about the coyotes.

  By the time he returned to the station, his frustrations had melted away. Showing the kids the cruiser reminded him that there really was no job too small. He was still able to help with other missing children through his blog. It got so much traffic, that parents all over the country contacted him about featuring their children.

  As soon as he stepped inside, there was an excited energy in the air.

  Alex found Anderson. “What’s going on?”

  “Another ringleader was taken down.”

  “Where?”

  “This one in Venezuela.”

  “And he’s connected to the rest?”

  Anderson nodded. “The feds have been closing in on him for months. They caught him in the act within the hour.”

  “That’s great news. Do the agents think our case is related to the ring?”

  “They’re treating it as if it is. Seems likely given the number of abductions this small town has seen over the last half-decade.”

  Alex nodded, though he wasn’t as easily convinced. So many of the ring’s abductions had to do with Alex or Nick’s families. And these live burials were completely unrelated.

  So far.

  Chapter 12

  Ariana rubbed her temples and took a deep breath. The only good thing about leading this tutoring group was that she and Damon had an excuse to spend time together after school. Otherwise, it wasn’t worth the extra credit at all.

  Ninety percent of the kids didn’t care about the subject or their grades, and they goofed off or teased Ariana. Damon always gave them grief—when he saw. But the kids, the boys especially, had taken to poking fun of her when his back was turned. Most were older than her because she was in advanced classes and ahead of them academically.

  A balled-up piece of paper hit her in the back of her head.

  She spun around.

  All of the kids were staring at their papers. Immature jerks.

  Ariana marched over to Damon.

  “Is something wrong?” His eyes filled with concern.

  She shook her head. “I need to get some air. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  His brows drew together. “What happened?”

  “It doesn’t matter. Making a big deal about it will only make things worse.”

  “Who was it?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll be right back.”

  Damon started to say something.

  She cut him off. “It’s no big deal. I just need a minute.”

  His mouth formed a straight line. “If you’re sure.”

  “I am.” She squeezed his hand before making her way to the door.

  Snickering sounded from the same section the paper ball had come from. She spun around and glared at the boys.

  Damon followed her gaze, then his eyes narrowed at the jocks.

  Ari threw him a pleading look but knew he wouldn’t drop it. She loved him for it, but at the same time, making a big deal would only make it worse. He had his own bullies, so he should know that. But he also wouldn’t stay quiet when someone was picking on her.

  She trudged down the hall until she came to a drinking fountain. Her headache throbbed under her temples. She leaned against the wall and took a whiff of an essential oil mix her mom had given her. It actually did help to relieve some of the pressure.

  Too bad it couldn’t do anything about the kids who thought picking on her was a game.

  She took a few more deep breaths of the oil before putting the little bottle away and rehydrating. Now she was ready to face them. At least Damon was there as a buffer.

  This whole experience was enough to convince her never to become a teacher. Maybe in college she could focus on her love of science and pick a field that would allow her to get absorbed in her work and not have to deal with people.

  Ariana headed back toward the classroom.

  Worried voices sounded from down the hall. One of them sounded like Emily.

  She picked up her pace.

  Emily and another girl were walking toward her. The other girl was crying.

  Ariana hurried over to them. “What’s the matter?”

  The other girl said something Ariana couldn’t make out.

  Ari threw Emily a pleading look.

  Emily put her arm around the other girl. “Tess can’t get ahold of her sister, and now her mom’s freaking out on her.”

  Tess wiped her eyes. “Stella didn’t make it home after school. She isn’t answering her phone or texting back. She turned off the locator. I got stuck with detention today, so we didn’t ride together. I haven’t even been home yet! Now Mom’s freaking out. Keeps talking about the other girls who were abducted. What if someone really did take her? And it’s my fault because I wasn’t there!”

  “Maybe she had to stay after school, too.”

  “No.” Tess sniffled. “She got off the bus where she was supposed to. Mom’s already talked to the transportation office and checked the security system. Stella’s gone!”

  “You can’t know that. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation.” Ari’s stomach knotted, knowing how often kids disappeared in town. And there was no denying it was happening again.

  “Like what? She always tells me if she’s going somewhere before she gets home.”

  Ariana frowned. “My dad’s a police officer. Let me see if he’s heard anything.”

  “What would he have heard?” Tess asked.

  “I don’t know, but he’s on the c
ase.”

  She pulled out her phone and sent him a text.

  He hadn’t heard anything about any other missing kids. Said something about coyotes.

  “Does he know anything?” Tess pleaded with her eyes.

  Ariana frowned. “Sorry, no. I can let you know if I find anything out.”

  Tess nodded. “Please do. I need to—” She pulled out her phone and grimaced. “That’s my mom. Probably going to yell at me some more.”

  “Answer it,” Emily said. “Maybe she found her.”

  Tess swallowed before accepting the call. “Hi, Mom.”

  Emily and Ariana exchanged nervous glances as silence filled the air.

  “No!” Tess pulled away from Emily and leaned against the wall. “No!”

  “What happened?” Emily demanded.

  Tears streamed down Tess’s face and she stuffed her phone into her bag. “Mom checked our doorbell cam. There’s a video of a masked man taping a note to the front door.”

  Ariana’s stomach knotted. “Oh, no!”

  Tess wiped her face. “I have to get home and see what the note says!”

  “Talk to my dad first.” Ariana pulled out her phone and called him. She cut him off as soon as he answered. “My friend Tess needs to talk to you, Dad. Someone in a mask just taped a note to their door—and they can’t reach her sister!”

  She handed the phone to Tess, who started relaying the details she knew.

  Ari glanced at the time. She’d already left Damon in the class too long with those jocks, so turned to Emily. “I need to get back to my tutoring group. Can you bring my phone to me in Mrs. Murdock’s classroom when Tess is done?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Thanks.” Ariana hurried back to the class.

  Damon stood at the whiteboard, going through the steps of a quadratic equation.

  None of the other kids so much as looked at her when she walked up to him. Not that she would’ve cared at this point.

  Another girl was missing. Another ransom note.

  Who would be next?

  Chapter 13

  Alex watched the pictures on Nick’s screensaver—a picture of them on a beach on their honeymoon, then one shortly after the baby was born, followed by one of his three older kids about five years earlier.

  He was trying to distract himself from the information he’d just handed off to Anderson. His partner. Who was working the case without him.

  The door opened. Nick came in, taking a deep breath.

  “Was it confirmed?”

  Nick nodded as he sat on the other side of the large mahogany desk. “The writing expert still needs to analyze the two notes, but it looks identical to me.”

  “I should be on the case!”

  “You should.”

  Alex sat taller. “You’re the captain. Put me back on.”

  Nick frowned. “I wish I could, but with Crawford here barking orders, my hands are tied.”

  “You do realize he has me following up on coyote complaints.”

  “I know. What’s he punishing you for?”

  Alex leaned closer. “He probably senses I’m on to him. He’s the mole, but it’s a matter of proving it. And that’s a lot easier said than done.”

  “The feds already suspect someone on the inside. Let them handle it, and try to enjoy the lighter load.”

  Alex scowled. “Seriously?”

  “You know I’d help if I could. I can ask Crawford what’s going on, but he isn’t going to tell me anything. I’m not part of his inner circle.”

  “Yet you managed to keep him from taking your office.”

  Nick tapped the desk. “He knew he was being ridiculous. Or at the very least, trying to see what he could get away with.”

  “That’s it!” Alex snapped his fingers.

  “What’s it?”

  “Crawford is seeing how far he can push me—seeing what he can get me to agree to. That’s exactly what’s going on. I’m going to push back.”

  “Are you sure you want to poke him now?”

  “It’s better than being demoted to cases that shouldn’t even involve our department.”

  “Once this case is over, he’ll be back at City Hall. But what you do is your call.”

  “I think it’s worth a try.” Alex rose and headed for the door.

  “Let me know if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, Nick.”

  “Sure. Genevieve wanted me to ask if your family wants to come over this weekend.”

  “This weekend?” The topic change threw him for a moment. “I’ll ask Zoey what we have going on. It would be great to hang out and just unwind without having to think about work.”

  “Cheers to that.”

  Alex closed the door behind him and looked around, feeling energy in the room. Maybe it was lingering from the news of the ringleader from Venezuela being taken down. Each time they took down a major player, it was a huge cause for celebration. Bit by bit, they were breaking down a horrific crime network.

  A group of officers were gathered around Crawford and one of the agents, but Alex couldn’t hear what she was saying.

  He grabbed his water bottle from his desk and headed for the water cooler, which was closer to the group. As he filled the bottle, Alex tried to hear what was being said. He only picked up a few words. Nothing useful.

  Once his water bottle was full, he lingered at the cooler until a few of his colleagues threw him questioning glances. The last thing he needed was to get the attention of Crawford and annoy him before having a chance to speak with him, so Alex trudged back to his desk and filled out the report on the coyotes, making it clear that Crawford sent him rather than passing the case onto the proper department.

  Then he picked up some new files on his desk. No big surprise—lame cases. There was no way he had been promoted to detective to get work like this. Especially when there were so many new officers on the force. This was either to get Alex off the kidnappings or because he was being punished for something he’d done wrong. And he knew that wasn’t it.

  Crawford wanted Alex off his back, so petty busywork was his answer.

  Alex rubbed his tense neck and checked the time. At least he’d be able to go home soon. The day had felt like a week, and he wanted nothing more than to see his wife and kids. He especially wanted to wrap his arms around Ariana because of the missing teens.

  No matter how much time pulled him farther away from when Ari had been abducted, the memories still felt every bit as harsh as when he’d been living that nightmare. But that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Those raw emotions pushed him to work his hardest for the people on the cases he handled. Pushed him to do his best. And that was likely why the chief had promoted him so quickly.

  And also why he wanted him off this case. Alex was good, and that made him a threat to the mole.

  He returned the files to the correct bin and gathered his things.

  Anderson came over. “Did you hear?”

  “How could I have? I wasn’t part of the meeting.” Alex rose and pulled his jacket from his chair.

  “You were trying to listen in.” Anderson chuckled. “At the cooler.”

  “Didn’t hear a thing.” Alex slid on his coat and grabbed his phone.

  “We have great news!”

  “What’s that?”

  “The second missing kid was found. Her parents paid—”

  “Is she alive?” Alex interrupted.

  “Yes. They paid the ransom, and the abductors sent the parents coordinates. They dug up the box exactly there.”

  Alex leaned against his desk. “They’re actually letting the girls go when they get the money?”

  “It’s a huge relief. We can handle the other two cases with so much more confidence now.”

  “But we’re still running out of time for the first girl. She’s already been gone—”

  “The sting operation is already underway. One of the agents is doing the drop off in a few hours. Some officers and
agents will be watching.”

  Alex’s stomach knotted. “Are they going to arrest them then? What about the third girl? If the kidnappers get spooked, they might refuse to give her location.”

  Anderson glanced to the side. “I’ve got to go. Crawford and Hanks are waving me over.”

  “By all means.” Alex turned away.

  “I don’t know why the chief cut you from the case. I tried—”

  “Don’t worry about it. Just find those two girls and put a stop to these kidnappers.”

  It took every ounce of his self-control not to look back at Crawford, but his expression would give away his true feelings before he had a chance to try and speak calmly with the man.

  Chapter 14

  Alex took turns pushing Laney and Zander in the swings while watching Zoey take pictures of Ariana, who was wearing a new dress that made her look like a glamorous gypsy. His heart swelled with pride while his stomach twisted—she looked more woman than girl.

  Zoey instructed her to move from underneath the Japanese maple tree with purplish leaves and step into the garden.

  His in-laws, who had nurtured the garden for years, would be disappointed at the state of it now. While it was still picture-worthy in Alex’s mind, it wasn’t the pristine piece of work it had been before Valerie and Kenji moved to Japan to help take care of his ailing father.

  Damon joined him and took over pushing Zander’s swing. “Is it true? About the kidnapped girl?”

  “Depends on what you heard.”

  He held up his phone’s screen, showing a headline from a news site.

  Kidnapped girl found buried alive.

  Alex’s stomach dropped. “The media got hold of the story?”

  “It is true.” Damon lowered his phone.

  Alex grabbed it from his hand and scrolled through the story, skimming the details. He swore.

  “The girl’s alive.” Damon scratched his head. “That’s good.”

  “For her, yes.”

  “Not for the others?”

  Alex shook his head as he looked through the article with a sharper eye. Nothing about the other two cases. That was good, but not great. The fact that this was getting coverage could easily make the abductors run for the hills before giving up Josie’s or Stella’s locations.