Page 54 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets

“Yeah. Frank’s. I still want to know what happened to that laptop.”

Now they were on the way with a police escort. Apparently, the captain wasn’t taking any more chances on someone getting to Jade. Which made Bryce wonder if Captain Colson was really a concerned boss? Or a man who wanted it to look like he was going all out for one of his own?

While Jade drove, Sasha stretched out in the back of the SUV with her nose on her paws, eyes shut. Bryce called Frank’s sister, Lisa, who answered on the second ring.

“It’s Bryce, Lisa. How are you holding up?”

“Well, to be honest, not all that great, but I’ve got Chad. He’s being my rock.”

Her husband, Chad, and Bryce had graduated high school together. “I’m glad,” he said.

“Frank was just here, you know. He spent last weekend with us, playing with the kids and just…being Frank.”

“I know. He told me.”

“And now he’s gone. I want the person who killed him caught and put in prison.” A sob rippled through the line, and Bryce closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Lisa, I wish I could do more.”

She sniffed and blew her nose. “Just make sure the police are staying on top of this.”

“They are, I promise. Especially Jade.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“Hey, could I ask you a quick question?”

“Of course.”

“Have you talked to Heather?”

“No, I haven’t.” A sigh. “I’ve been so wrapped up in…everything, we haven’t connected other than through voice mails. I need to call her again.”

“Okay, well, if you think of anything, anyone Frank might have talked to recently, will you call me or the police?”

“Of course. You don’t even have to ask that.”

“I know, but it helps me think I’m being proactive.”

A squeal in the background reached his ears. “George, don’t hit your sister! I’ve got to go,” Lisa said. “I promise to call if I think of anything.”

“Thanks, Lisa.”

When Jade pulled to a stop in front of their friend’s house, Bryce couldn’t stop the shudder that ripped through him. It hit him hard that Frank was gone forever and wouldn’t enter his home again.

Heather’s car was parked out front. Their police escort stopped behind them.

Jade led the way to the door, and it opened before they had a chance to ring the bell or knock. Heather stood there in a baggy long-sleeved T-shirt and paint-stained jeans. “Hi.”

“Hi,” he said. She looked awful. “Have you slept at all?” he asked.

She sniffed and let out a whispery laugh that held no humor. “Not really.”

Jade pulled Heather into a hug and simply held her for a moment before letting go. The three of them, followed by Sasha, walked into the house, and Heather gestured them to the couch while she took the wing-backed chair next to the fireplace. Sasha settled in front of Bryce’s feet.

“It’s hard to sleep,” Heather said. “Or eat. Or breathe.”

A tear tracked down Jade’s cheek and she swiped it away. “Where’s your mother?”