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“Someone came in the back way,” I said, my voice sounding strangely hollow.
“James. Come on.” She took my hand. “One of my friends from the department is here. Talk to him. So we can all work to find her faster, okay?”
I couldn’t find any words to respond, so I just nodded.
Somebody had taken Tina. If she was hurt…
No. I refused to go down that path. I’d find her. Because that was the only acceptable outcome.
I wasn’t losing her.
Fifty-Five
Maximus
“How many timesdo I have to answer the same questions?” My voice, sharp and edgy, had the officer in front of me putting his pen down.
His friendly smile was meant to put me at ease. It failed. All that too white, too broad smile did was piss me off.
“Mr. Ryson,” he said. “I know this must seem repetitive and—”
“I’ve been through this five times now. Twice with you, once with the officer on the scene, and twice with the sergeant you chased out of here.”
Lieutenant Dawson’s brows dropped. “I’m just trying to do my job, Mr. Ryson.”
I wanted to throttle him. I didn’t like cops. Dawson was a man I wouldn’t like, even if he didn’t carry a badge. The too-affable smarmy charm was something I’d dealt with before and in most situations, I’d boot his ass to the curb. There were people who chased clout in every damn occupational field. But Tina’s life was in danger, and the sooner I got past this asshole, the sooner I could do something about it.
“Explain to me how many times I have to go through what happened before it’senough, Lieutenant Dawson,” I said. “My patience is about gone. I’m exhausted. My girlfriend is missing. The last thing I need is to explain this to you—for the third fucking time.”
Deep lines furrowed his brow as he picked up his pen. When he spoke, it was with a cooler voice. “How long have you and Ms. Siegler been dating?”
“Just under a month and a half.” Hooking my ankle over my knee, I forced myself to remain still. I wanted to get up, pace, do something about all the energy inside.
“And your…relationship, it’s a good one? Healthy?”
His tone made me scowl. I want to punch him, but that would not get me out of this place faster. “Yes. But, as I just pointed out, we’ve only been together six weeks.”
He picked up his phone and checked something on the screen.
When he looked at me, the glint in his eye made me pitch forward.
“If you’re about to bring up stories alluding to my sex life, let me warn you now…don’t,” I said, clinging to the last shreds of my control. “Some people only fuck with the lights out. Some people get turned on by wearing furry animal costumes. I like bondage. It’s none of your business and doesn’t have shit to do with the fact that my girlfriend is missing—and I suggest you focus onthosefacts instead of digging around for details about my sex life.”
His cheeks went red, fine lines fanning out from his eyes. To give him credit, his voice was level as he said, “It’s my job to check every avenue, Mr. Ryson.”
“And what avenue could this one lead to?” Lifting a brow, I waited. “If you have actual questions, then ask them. Otherwise, stop fucking around and do your job.”
The door opened.
I recognized the tall woman who entered, although her name escaped me. Gianni was with her, as was the woman who’d introduced herself to me the night of the fire.
Seeing the fire marshal and the detective made my skin crawl.
“Detective Dawson, this case has been reassigned,” the tall woman said, offering a polite smile.
Gianni ignored him as she approached me, one hand coming to rest on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“No,” I bit off. “But I’ll manage. Please tell me I will not be here for another three hours, answering questions.”