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“Yeah.” She ended the call. This was the most god-awful birthday of her life.

Okay, focus, Vee.

If the worst happened and she didn’t survive this, she hated the possibility of her last words to Eric being a lie, but it was the only way to ensure he didn’t grow suspicious too soon.

As much as she wanted to figure this out on her own, she wasn’t a fool. Whatever she did, there was a chance she might not make it—that Eve might not make it—but she intended to ensure they both had the best opportunity possible. For that, she needed Bent.

She walked out of her room, at the same time putting a call through to him.

Halfway down the stairs she heard his phone ring, and it wasn’t just via her phone either.

Bent was here.

She followed the sound to the kitchen. He’d just reached for his cell on the island when she appeared at the door. She ended the call.

“Morning.” He lifted his mug. “Coffee’s ready.”

“Morning.” She crossed the room, poured herself a mugful, thankful that steam still rose from the dark liquid. She had to stay cool, convince him she was good to go for what had to be done. “How long have you been here?”

He leaned against the counter. “I was on the phone so late, getting final reports from my team, I ended up crashing on your couch. I hope you don’t mind.”

He was well aware she didn’t mind. “We both know you had no intention of leaving.” She sipped her coffee.

“What can I say? Protecting the citizens of this county is my job.”

“Any news from the team?” She opted not to mention talking to Eric. It wasn’t like he’d given her an update. She hadn’t given him time.

“Nothing on Eve’s location.” He set his mug aside. “No reports about suspicious activity or sightings. What we do have is a missing deputy.”

Dread welled inside her. “When was the last time he was heard from?”

“Just before dark last night. He was using his private vehicle, and we haven’t found it. His fiancée hasn’t heard from him. All attempts to reach him have gone unanswered.”

“Damn.” Vera forced down more of the coffee. She needed the caffeine. When she’d finished it off, she placed her cup in the sink. “That could mean the grandson has access to a radio—assuming he is the reason the deputy is missing and that the deputy was carrying a radio.” She turned to look Bent in the eyes. “If that’s the case, he will know every move we make unless the team goes to a private channel.”

This news complicated things.

“The deputy did have a radio, and I have already directed the team to go to a private channel,” Bent confirmed.

Of course he had. He was a good sheriff. Bent was no rookie and definitely no fool.

“By the way,” he said, his eyes searching hers for whatever she was leaving out, “happy birthday.”

She waved off the birthday crap. Time to come clean. “I heard from Palmer Solomon a few minutes ago.”

A frown furrowed Bent’s face. “How?”

“When I visited him, I gave him my cell number. He promised to let me know if he heard from his grandson.”

Keeping whatever he felt about the news to himself, Bent asked, “What did he have to say?”

Vera was grateful he chose not to rant at her about what she’d done. “Patrick told him—or so the story goes—that he was on a hillsidesurrounded by pastures and woods. And goats.” She huffed a breath. “That could be anywhere in the damned county. But he wants me there—alone—at nine a.m.”

“And you’re only sharing this with me because you can’t figure out the location yourself.”

She could deny the charge, but why bother. “Probably.”

He stared at the floor a moment, then, “Anything else about the location?”