Page 42 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets

Or shorter. “So, that’s a dead end.”

“For now.”

“And the second thing?”

“Looks like they’re bringing Swift out of that coma in the morning. If you feel up to it, you want to question him?”

“Of course.”

He paused. “I only met Frank a few times. This isn’t a tiny town where everyone knows everyone, but it’s small enough that I know the majority, and I liked Frank. What was he working on? Do you know?”

“The drug ring, sir. He was trying to figure out who the head person was.” Well, that was true enough. She didn’t see the need in telling him Frank suspected a dirty cop—at least not yet.

“Sounds like he got too close to figuring that out.”

“Yes, sir.”

“CSU couldn’t find a personal laptop, and there wasn’t much on his work computer. His boss said if there was anything on a computer, it would be his personal one. You know where it might be?”

She frowned. He was following this case awfully close. “I don’t kn—Wait a minute. I saw it on that desk in Frank’s den when Bryce and I went looking for him. I even tried to access it, but it was password-protected.”

“I asked Heather and she said she didn’t know where it was. Said Frank must have had it on him when he disappeared.”

“No, that can’t be right. I’ll head over to his house and check.”

“Do that and let me know what you learn from Swift.”

“Will do.”

She hung up and turned to find Bryce watching her through the glass doors. When she returned to the den, she quietly filled him in. “I need to get that laptop. I’m also thinking of going to see Heather.”

“I’m not sure that’s such a great idea. You’ve got security here.”

She bit her lip. True. “All right, then I’m going to ask her to come over here and bring the laptop. She loves the kids. Maybe being around them will… I don’t know…help. Somehow. I can take the laptop in tomorrow on our way to see Swift.”

“It’s worth a shot.” He paused. “And I’d like to go with you in the morning to see Swift.”

Jade frowned. “Why?”

“Because maybe the fact that I kept him alive until the paramedics got there will make a difference in what he tells us.”

“Huh. Good point.”

“Then I can tag along with you?”

“What are you going to do if I say no?”

“Come anyway.”

“That’s what I figured.”

* * *

For the rest of the afternoon, Bryce alternated between watching his phone, checking the windows and playing with the kids—and watching Mia. He’d admit to doing the math in his head and wondering if she could be his. Every so often, he thought he saw a flash of…something…that reminded him of himself.

No, that was crazy. Jade would have told him.

Maybe he should just ask her.