Page 83 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“No,” Julia said as she reached the car. “Grant may be able to tell you. I’m on my way.”

“See you when you get here, Juju.”

Julia ended the call and tossed the phone into her cupholder before she climbed into the driver’s seat and fired the engine. She whipped the small SUV around and headed toward town, her stomach fluttering.

Rain began to spatter her windshield as she slid into a parking space outside of the police station. She slid from the car and raced inside before the deluge began. Phones rang and a few other officers bustled around the station as she skirted a few desks, heading for the conference room where she knew she’d find Alicia with her map.

Her sister glanced up as she smoothed the paper across the wooden table Grant sat at with his back toward the door.

Julia smiled at Kyle who leaned against the doorjamb as she slipped past him and slid a hand onto Grant’s shoulder.

He snapped his gaze to her, seeming surprised to see her.

She squeezed his shoulder. “Hi.”

His features pinched as he grabbed hold of her hand, his grip tight.

“You’re just in time,” Alicia said. “We’re just getting started. When did you last see her?”

“This morning,” Grant said, his voice struggling to remain steady.

“And she left to go for a hike?”

“No, yes. I don’t know.” Grant shook his head as Alicia furrowed her brow, flicking her gaze to Julia.

Julia rubbed his shoulder. “It’s okay. Just take your time and tell us as much as you can.”

Grant slid his eyes closed as his fingers shifted to slide through hers. She patted his hand, wrapping it between hers. “Sierra left this morning, but she didn’t say where she was going. She just…left. She was upset. Lydia went with her.”

“What was she upset about?” Ethan asked.

“Does that matter?” Grant asked as he flicked his gaze to the man.

“It might,” Alicia said. “But if you don’t want to tell us–”

“Fine,” he said with a shake of his head. “She was upset because Julia and I had a fight, and Julia left. Lydia just happened to be stopping by and when Sierra ran out, she said she’d go with her.”

Alicia flicked her gaze to her sister. Julia offered her a slight nod, and Alicia returned her attention to Grant. “What time was this?”

“Ahhhh…”

“A little after eleven,” Julia said, the argument roiling through her mind. She imagined Sierra’s upset over her storming out. It was their first real argument. One she’d certainly never expected to have with her fake husband, but it had happened. And it had likely stunned them all.

“Okay, and then…” Alicia prompted.

“I started to get worried when the storm was coming in. We hadn’t heard from Sierra, and she wasn’t home. I tried calling her but she didn’t answer.”

“Could she just be avoiding everyone if she was upset? Is that something she’d do?” Ethan asked.

Grant heaved a sigh. “She may be avoiding my calls, yes. I’m not sure she’d avoid Julia’s.”

Ethan lifted his eyes to Julia who shook her head. “I tried twice, no answer.”

Alicia poked a finger at Kyle. “What about you? Would she answer her brother?”

“I seriously doubt that, but it’s worth a try,” Julia said.

“Mom’s calls?”