Page 22 of Creed

“Yeah, I know. I tried to put ‘em off, but the detective was pretty adamant about getting his hands on our surveillance footage.”

“You take care of it?”

“I told ‘em they’d need a warrant. Not that it’ll matter. I’ve already had Shep wipe it clean.”

“Good. I’ll do what I can to make sure they don’t get that fucking warrant.”

Preacher and I had made connections over the years. Judges, politicians, and some of the richest men in the state were in our pockets. He’d have to call in some big favors, but if anyone could put an end to that warrant, it would be him. He paused for a moment before asking, “So, you think the girl reported it?”

“My gut says no. She was young, too young, and was somewhere she had no business being. But I’m about to head over to her place and see what I can find out.”

“Good. Let me know what she has to say.”

“Will do.”

I ended the call, and after telling Skid where I was headed, I made my way back out to my bike. I left the Vault with Maddox’s face still burned into the back of my mind. The man had the look of someone who’d made a career out of rubbing people the wrong way. I didn’t trust him, and I certainly didn’t like him.

And knowing he was connected to Devin only made me dislike him even more. But right now, I didn’t have time to think about my distaste for Detective Maddox. Right now, I needed to focus on the girl. I needed to find out what she’d told the police and why she’d gone to them instead of me.

It took me a minute to remember the address. I’d only been there the one time, but luckily, it was enough. It wasn’t in the best neighborhood, but I’d seen worse. Her apartment complex wasn’t the best. It was one of those older brick buildings that looked like it hadn’t been cared for since the '80s, and the numbers on the front were barely hanging on.

I walked up to the door and knocked twice. After a moment, it creaked open, and the roommate appeared. She stood behind the door with one hand braced against it like she wasn’t sure whether to shut it in my face or let me in. “Umm, hey.”

“Hey. You remember me?”

“Yeah, you were the one who brought Gabby home that night.” Her eyes narrowed. “Is that why you’re here?”

“It is.” I gave her a moment, hoping she’d see that I wasn’t a threat, before asking, “Mind if I come in?”

She hesitated for a second longer, then opened the door. “Okay, but I’ve gotta leave for work in a few minutes.”

“This won’t take long.”

“Okay.”

The apartment was small and cluttered. There were a couple of takeout boxes on the counter and various clothes and blankets tossed over the back of the couch. The girl looked to be in herearly twenties but acted older. She was cute but tough. It was an odd mix. It was clear she’d been through things.

“Is she home?”

“Gabby?” She shook her head. “No, I haven’t seen her since Monday.”

That was two days ago. “Any idea where she might be?”

“No.”

“And you aren’t worried about her?”

“Yes and no.” She sat on the arm of the sofa and crossed her arms. “It’s not like this is the first time she’s gone off on me. Sometimes, it’s just for the night and sometimes longer. She meets some guy, lets him fill her head with all kinds of BS, and then he ghosts her. She comes back like nothing happened.”

“So, I take it you haven’t filed a missing person’s report?”

“Why? She always turns back up at some point.”

“And you don’t think she’s with family or something?”

“Oh, God, no. She hasn’t talked to any of them in over two years. They were always fighting over something, and she got out as soon as she got the chance.” Her brows furrowed. “What’s this all about? Why are you so interested in Gabby?”

“The cops came to the club today about Gabby and those two guys who tried to take her.” She immediately gasped, “No shit?”