Page 60 of Hidden (Lost and Found 1)

“No. Just a habit.”

“Which is what?”

Gaines thought a moment. “Checking my watch.”

“Because?” Luna prodded.

“Because I always seem to have to be somewhere,” Gaines replied.

“Everyonehas to be someplace,” Chi-Chi responded in her melodious voice.

Gaines nodded toward the two women. “Ladies?”

Luna ordered a dry rosé, Chi-Chi asked for a stinger, and Cullen settled on an IPA beer. Gaines then answered the waitress. “I’ll have a manhattan with Maker’s Mark, please.”

“Comin’ right up.” The waitress had a very strong Southern accent. The wordrightsounded like “raaht.”

When she returned with their drinks, she began to recite the half dozen specials of the day.

Gaines faked a shiver. “I’m going to need some help deciding.”

“Depends on what you are in the mood for. The catfish is excellent.”

“I’m thinking more of a meat dish.”

“Then the lamb. Definitely the lamb,” Cullen offered.

“Luna? Got any suggestions?” Gaines asked.

She put her fingers against her temples and closed her eyes. “I’m thinking beef!” Everyone laughed.

“You’re thinking correctly. The short ribs sounded great,” Gaines added.

The waitress was called away before they gave their orders and disappeared into the kitchen.

“This is a cool place.” Gaines looked around, then frowned.

“What is it?” Luna asked.

He pulled out his phone. “Possible AMBER alert.”

“Here?” Luna sounded surprised.

“No. New York State.”

“Why are they notifying you?” Luna asked.

“They alert all the field offices because they don’t know what direction the missing person may be headed. Then they send updates as they get them.”

Luna frowned. She felt that something wasn’t right.

His phone buzzed again. He read the text and paraphrased. “A woman called in that her sister and nephew took off yesterday but did not leave any information. A man went to her house last night asking for her, but the sister did not recognize the man. They’ve only been gone for twenty-four hours, so she’ll file a formal missing child report in the morning. This was a heads-up.”

Luna tried to relax, but she couldn’t. Another buzz on his phone. He furrowed his brow. “What was the name of the witness on the will? Colette Petrova?”

“Colette Petrov,” Luna replied.

“Well, guess who is missing?” Gaines leaned back in his chair.