Help me to get through to her. Help her to want a relationship. If not with me, with someone else. She doesn’t deserve to be alone.
No. She couldn’t be with another guy. She belonged with him, didn’t she?
He couldn’t think about that now. Not when he had a job to do. He snapped the photos then slid the pictures into the envelope and put them back in the drawer. He pressed his mic to talk. “Erik, we need Pong in here to search for electronics.”
“Roger that.” His tone was beyond excited. Probably because he’d struck out at the beach house, and Erik loved showing off Pong’s skills.
Toni returned. “Nothing in there.”
“Let’s wait for Erik up front.” Clay led the way to the door and spotted Erik jogging up the drive with Pong running next to him. They both looked excited, but as a handler, Erik would tone the excitement down the minute they stepped into the house.
Clay and Toni moved back to give the dog room. Erik crossed the threshold, and Pong stopped to sit and peer up at him.
“How does this work?” Toni asked.
“Pong’s trained to detect TPPO and HPK,” Erik said. “TPPO’s short for triphenylphosphine oxide. It’s used to coat memory chips in electronic devices to keep them from overheating. HPK—hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone—is used in removable media, such as CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, and even floppy disks.”
“I’ve seen other sniffer dogs alert, but how does Pong do it?” Toni asked.
“He sits, and I ask him to show me. He points to the exact location, and I reward him with food.” Erik smiled. “He’s really something to see.”
“Let’s get to it, then,” Clay said, losing patience.
“Seek.” Erik ran his hand along the sofa.
Nose down, Pong hopped up and sniffed the cushions before jumping back to the floor. He poked his snout underneath. Erik continued forward, leading the dog through the rest of the room.
Erik shook his head. “Nothing here.”
They stepped down the hallway. Through each bedroom. The bathroom. No success.
Clay’s hope evaporated. “Only room left is the kitchen.”
Erik took Pong into the dingy space. The dog lunged toward a twelve-pack of water bottles sitting in the plastic wrap on the floor. Sharkey had ripped open the plastic, and several bottles were missing. Pong sat by the water and looked up at Erik.
“Show me,” Erik said.
Pong pointed his snout at the bottles. Erik squatted and started pulling out the bottles and looking at them. When he got to the fourth one, Pong jabbed his nose at it.
Eyes narrowed, Erik looked at the bottle. “It’s just water, boy.”
Pong shoved his nose hard at it.
“Let me take a look.” Clay grabbed the bottle and tipped it over, studying it. “Ah-ha. Sharkey’s smarter than we thought.”
Clay pulled the upper half of the bottle free from the bottom.
“Two bottles sandwiched together?” Toni stepped closer.
“Top part is sealed and holds liquid so it looks like an average bottle of water. But these are hidden behind the label.” Clay dumped out four micro SD cards into his hand, each one about the size of a pinkie nail.
“Memory cards from cell phones.” Erik bent down to give Pong a treat. “You did it, boy. You found it.”
Clay could barely contain his excitement over the find, but he still had work to do before they could call Trent. “We need Pong to finish the room and the outbuildings. Then I need you to copy whatever’s on these cards.”
Erik faced Pong. “Seek.”
He led him through the rest of the room, but Pong didn’t light on anything else. They searched the other buildings with the same results, so they headed for the SUV. Rain spit from the sky, but Clay didn’t care if he got wet. They’d made good progress and adrenaline left him pumped.
He paused to glance at Sharkey, still face down with Clay’s brothers standing over him. Good. The guy deserved it. And now they had the evidence they needed to help put him away. Unless Hibbard sent someone else, Toni was safe. Clay would be too. Not that he’d ever really worried about his own skin.
Erik put Pong in his crate in the back of the SUV and took his laptop to the passenger seat. Clay gave Erik the cards, and he slid one into an adapter before inserting it into a slot on his computer. His gaze was riveted to the screen glowing white in the darkness.
Clay wanted to nudge his brother. Urge him to move faster, but Erik was working as fast as he could, so Clay waited patiently next to Toni.
Erik looked up and let out a low whistle. “Pay dirt.”
“What is it?” Toni cried out. “What do you have?”
Erik shook his head in disgust and looked at Toni. “Hibbard. In videos with young girls in compromising positions.”
Toni’s face paled, and Clay stepped closer to her, his protective instincts kicking in. “How many videos?”
“Way too many to count.”
“Ballpark number,” Clay demanded.
Erik squinted at the screen. “This folder alone has twenty. There are eighteen folders.”
Clay gritted his teeth. “Hibbard will go away for a long time for this.”
Toni’s mouth tightened. “If we can find him.”
“We will.” Clay lifted his shoulders into a hard line, trying to transmit his confidence that the team could find Hibbard when the task force had struck out so many times.
And if they found the guy and arrested him, he and Toni would both be safe. Then the only questions left, the big questions, were where were the missing girls and Lisa, and after all this time, was she still alive?
20
Trent had kept everyone at Sharkey’s place for most of the night. The sun would rise in a few hours, and Clay yawned as he stepped into the beach house behind Toni, his brothers bringing up the rear. All he wanted right now was a hot shower and a giant cup of coffee.
His feet came to a stop. “You smell that?”
Toni looked back at him. “Someone’s baking.”
“Mom,” the brothers said in unison.
“What’s your mother doing here?” Toni asked. “Besides baking.”
Clay shook his head. “Guess there’s only one way to find out.”
They entered the living area, and Clay spotted his dad seated on the couch watching a cable news show.
“You’re finally home.” Clay’s mom stepped into the entryway and smiled at them as they started ripping the Velcro straps on their vests. “I can tell by your attire you were out playing cops and robbers just like when you were little boys.”
“We’re grown men, Mom,” Clay said. “When will you start treating us that way?”
She linked arms with him. “Maybe when you stop letting me take care of you so often.”
“We don’t—”
“Don’t even bother.” Aiden came over and kissed their mother’s cheek. “No point in denying it. We let her cook for us all the time and do even more.”
“What he said.” Drake planted a quick kiss on her cheek too, and the remaining brothers followed suit as they passed by to go to their rooms and stow their gear.
Clay looked at his mother. “What are you doing here? I mean, I’m always happy to see you, but you should’ve let me know you were coming. Maybe I could’ve saved you the trip.”
“There was no stopping her,” his dad said from the couch.
“Oh, you.” His mom waved a hand at his back. “I’m here because I knew the kitchen would be a mess.”
“It’s not, is it?” Toni removed her vest and tugged the tails of her shirt down. “I’ve been trying to keep it clean.”
His mother smiled. “I could tell someone besides the boys was taking care of things.”
Clay rolled his eyes. “There you go again with the boys comment.”
“I’m embarrassing you in front of your young lady.”
Clay groaned. “She’s not my young lady. She’s an FBI agent and part of the team.”
&n
bsp; She looked at Toni. “I know that, and I’m so in awe of you. Let’s sit down and have a long discussion about what that involves over a cup of coffee, if you’re up to it.”
“Sure,” Toni said and sounded truly willing and not like she was putting up with his mom, earning Toni huge brownie points in his book.
“We have to stow our gear and do some research,” Clay said, trying not to sound irritated.
A timer buzzed from the kitchen.
“Perfect timing. The cinnamon rolls are done. I’ll brew a fresh pot of coffee to go with it and serve you all.”
“None for me.” Toni patted her stomach. “I already had one of your wonderful monster cookies after dinner.”
His mother stared at Toni. “That was last night. We’re starting a whole new day here.”
“Mom’s cinnamon rolls are out of this world,” Clay said.
Toni tilted her head. “Maybe a small one.”
Clay eyed his mother. “Now, why else are you here?”
“I heard about everything that’s been happening, and I thought you all could use some good home cooking instead of takeout.”
“Drake and Erik have cooked.”
“So burgers and tacos then?”
“Yes.”
“You need something far more nutritious. I’ll make your favorite kale and quinoa salad and homemade bread. But first breakfast. It won’t be for a few hours, but what do you want?”
“Aren’t cinnamon rolls breakfast?” Toni asked.
“Just a middle of the night snack for these guys.” His mom grinned.
“Whatever you want to make is great.”
She looked at Toni. “Do you have a favorite breakfast?”
Toni seemed like she didn’t want to answer but nodded. “My dad used to make chocolate chip pancakes for me on special occasions. I haven’t had those in eons.”
“Then chocolate chip pancakes it is.”
“I don’t want you to have to go to the store for anything.”
“Don’t worry,” his dad said. “I’ll be going if there’s anything she forgot, but based on the amount of food I loaded in the car, she’s got one of everything already.”
She laughed and stepped over to plant a kiss on his head.
“Now would be the time to escape,” Clay said to Toni.
They shared a laugh as they walked to their rooms to offload their gear. He’d expected to find Brendan and Drake in his room, but he was surprised Aiden was sitting on one of the four bunks, his belongings next to him. “I see Mom or Dad moved you out of the master.”
“Must be our inimitable mother.” Aiden chuckled. “She already has the bedding stripped and washing.”
Clay shoved his vest into his gear bag. “She really is the best mom ever, but there are times you don’t need to have your mom around. I hope she doesn’t pull this with paying clients.”
“She won’t.” Drake kicked off his boots.
“How can you be so sure?”
“She’s here because of Toni.” Drake moved toward the door.
Clay looked at his brother. “What?”
Drake rolled his eyes. “For such a smart guy, you can be so dense at times.”
“What do you mean?”
“This thing you have for Toni. It’s been obvious since day one. Mom wouldn’t have missed it.”
Clay opened his mouth to deny it but couldn’t. He wasn’t the best at hiding his feelings. “So what?”
“So Mom’s here to make sure you don’t blow it.” Brendan leaned back on a lower bunk. “She may have one grandchild on the way and Karlie soon to officially be hers, but she wants more.”
“Trust me, I know.” Aiden shook his head. “She bugged me all the time until Harper and I set a date for the wedding.”
“Well, then she’ll be disappointed in me.” Clay dug clean clothes out of his tote bag for the shower he hoped to take after scarfing down numerous cinnamon rolls. “Not that it’s anyone’s business, but Toni’s not in a good place to start a relationship right now.”
“I’m sure you can change that.” Drake slid off the bed. “I don’t know about you guys, but I plan to be first in line for whatever Mom made.”
He headed out the door and the others followed, each of them retrieving their computers, as did Clay. He brought up the rear so he could think about how to get his parents to leave without offending them. Once his mom had her mind set on something, it was nearly impossible to change it. Nearly, but not totally. Clay just had to think of the right thing to say about Toni, and maybe his mom would go home.
He looked at the doors to see if Kelsey or Blake were awake and spotted light shining under Blake’s door. Clay knocked.
“Come in,” Blake called out.
Clay found Blake seated on one of the bottom bunks, his iPad on his lap.
“You might’ve heard my mom and dad arrive,” Clay said. “She’s made her famous cinnamon rolls for a snack. Thought I’d see if you want to join us.”
Blake’s expression waffled for a moment. “Sounds good, but I gained a few pounds with Emory during her pregnancy and still haven’t lost them.”
“I heard that can be a problem.”
“I just need to work out more, but once you have a kid, time for yourself pretty much disappears. Not complaining. Just stating a fact.” He closed his iPad case. “So how’d Trent react to the delayed call for Sharkey’s place?”
“As well as you’d expect.”
Blake grinned. “He was beyond mad then.”
“Yep.” Clay laughed. “Not that it was a laughing matter at the time. He threatened to haul me in for obstructing an investigation.”
“He won’t,” Blake said. “When I was sheriff, I often tangled with Gage and his operators. Trent has, too, so he’s used to it. When he calms down, he’ll be thankful the guy’s off the streets.”
“That and Pong sniffed out several micro SD cards Trent’s team would’ve missed.”
“And I’m sure you got a look at them before Trent arrived.”
“Videos of Hibbard in bed with young girls.”
Blake shook his head. “That’ll help nail the guy, but man, having to watch them will be awful. I saw my share of videos like that on the job.”
Clay had too, and he wasn’t looking forward to it. “Any way you can find out if Sharkey rolled over on Hibbard?”
“Doubtful.”
“It’s also doubtful that he did roll over, but it would be good to know if Trent is looking for Hibbard too.”
Blake glanced at his watch. “I’ll give him a call during office hours and see what I can find out, but no promises.”
“Thanks.” Clay patted his belly. “Time to fatten up.”
“Eat some for me, too.”
Laughing, Clay closed the door and started down the hall.
Instead of his mother butting out, he found her seated with Toni at the table, munching on the cinnamon rolls and talking about Toni’s job exactly like she’d promised. And by promised, he meant threatened.
“We need to get to work now, Mom,” Clay said, trying his very best to keep his irritation at bay.
Surprisingly, she got right up. “I’ll grab the pot and fill mugs, then join your dad.”
Right. Sit in the family room within hearing distance so she didn’t miss a thing.
“I uploaded the videos to our server,” Erik said.
Clay set his machine on the table, grabbed a plate, and loaded it with two gooey rolls. “Let’s go ahead and eat before looking at the files.”
“Agreed.” Aiden chomped off a large bite of the cinnamon roll, and Clay followed suit.
“How are they?” Clay’s mom poured him a cup of coffee.
“Perfect as usual,” Clay said between bites.
She smiled, her face soft with the love that made him forget his frustration.
Toni swallowed her bite and picked up her mug. “Your rolls are really good, Mrs. Byrd.”
“Surely I told you to call me Pegg
y, but if I didn’t, please do.” His mother ran a hand over her hair. “I’m getting a bit scatterbrained with age.”
“Just a bit?” Their dad laughed.
She smiled and shook her head. “Okay, maybe more than a bit.”
She started to pour coffee for Erik but he put his hand over his cup. “I’m still wired from the op and Pong’s searches.”
Drake jabbed a finger at Erik’s plate. “But I see you’re not worried about the sugar making you hyper, considering you’re on your third roll. Not that I’m counting or anything.”
“Just trying to keep up with you, bro.” Erik grinned and took another bite.
His mom set down the pot and stopped behind Clay and kissed his head. “Must be some hard stuff you’re planning to view if you’re waiting for me to leave the room.”
She grabbed a small plate of rolls and went into the family room. He wasn’t sorry to see her go. Here he was, a former ICE agent, and his mother was kissing his head in front of a co-worker. Okay, fine more than a co-worker.
Toni leaned over to him. “I like how your mom cares for you all. My mom was like that too. I’d like to think if she’d lived that she would’ve been the same way.”
Toni’s sadness got to him, and he took her hand and held it on the table, not caring what anyone thought. But of course his mother picked that moment to come back to the kitchen for something.
“Um-hm,” she said and smiled broadly.
He wouldn’t touch that with the proverbial ten-foot pole. “Toni, why don’t you start with the most current folder, and I’ll take the next one in line. We might recognize something from our investigation.”
Clay put in his earbuds, made sure his screen was down so his mom couldn’t see, and opened the first video. He paused the file to take a screenshot of the girl’s face for their records and then named it with the date and time it had been recorded and told the others to do the same thing. Then he continued through the video looking for leads on location. The bed had the same decorative post, so he took a screenshot of that too and moved on. Once finished, he followed the same procedure for the other files. They had only a few more to go when the girl in the video, her eyes scrunched closed, tears on her cheeks, looked familiar.
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