Page 10 of Out of the Shadows (Angelhart Investigations)

Jack told Laura what Margo had learned. She grew increasingly worried.

“What could have happened to him? Was he in an accident? Why wouldn’t someone have called me? Where is he?”

“Do you have access to his phone records? Or GPS tracking on his phone?”

She shook her head no.

“Someone accessed his condo and cut open the safe. Logan should call the police about the break-in.”

“Charlie doesn’t use the safe,” Laura said. “Logan had it installed when he lived there but I don’t think Charlie even knows

the code.”

“Are you certain?”

She hesitated a fraction of a second. “Almost certain. Logan would know. He would have given Charlie the code, or created

a new one for him.”

“No one has seen him since late Friday morning, when he left for lunch and didn’t return to work. You may want to contact

the police and file a missing persons report.”

“And say what?”

“That you haven’t been able to reach your ex-husband and it seems someone broke into his condo. At a minimum, they can issue

a BOLO for his vehicle.”

Laura looked torn. “He could have a logical explanation,” she said.

“He could. Why wouldn’t you call?”

She didn’t have an answer.

“He’s not going to get in trouble if you call the police.”

“If I can’t reach him before the end of today, I’ll do it. Is your sister still looking for him?”

“Yes. Do you know his friends? Where he hangs out?”

“I’ll make a list.”

While Laura did that, Jack called Logan and told him what Margo had learned.

“Someone cut open the safe?” he asked, surprised.

“Yes. Do you know if Charlie used it?”

“He said he didn’t need the safe and I never gave him my code.”

“When did he move into your condo?”

“Eighteen months ago.”

“Where was he living before then?”

“He was renting a room near the Wigwam. He had a job there.” The Wigwam was a golf resort and spa in the west valley, not

far from where Jack had lived before his divorce. Now he had a little house near the Cardinals stadium. “But Laura didn’t

like the people he was living with and didn’t let the kids stay overnight. She can tell you more about that situation.”

“Margo doesn’t think that Charlie has been at his condo all weekend, but she’s going to talk to neighbors and businesses in

the area. I’d suggest you call the police about the break-in, and we go from there. Both Charlie and Laura had break-ins this

weekend—that is no coincidence. We find Charlie, I’m certain we’ll get answers.”

“And you’ll watch my sister and the kids, right?” Logan asked. “I don’t know what Charlie is up to, but if he brought something

dangerous into Laura’s life, I’ll never forgive him.”

“I’ll stay,” Jack said.

He turned and saw Sydney standing in the hall staring at him, eyes wide.

“I have to go,” Jack said and hung up.

“Where’s my dad?” she demanded.

“We’re looking for him,” Jack said. “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for why he hasn’t returned your mom’s call.”

“He hasn’t called me back, either. His phone went straight to voicemail.”

“Which most likely means his battery died,” he said carefully.

“He always calls me back!” Sydney’s voice rose. “Always! We were supposed to go up to his friend’s cabin in Flagstaff, and

we were going to hike and just hang out, and he canceled!”

Laura hadn’t told him that. “When?” Jack asked.

“This weekend!”

“When did he cancel?”

“Friday. Why? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong. I’m putting together a timeline.”

“But I heard you talking to Uncle Logan! He’s not at his condo, no one knows where he is. What if something happened to him?”

Jack stepped forward, put a hand on her shoulder. “Sydney, I know you’re worried about your dad. My sister and I are going

to find him. It’s what we do.”

“I thought you were like a bodyguard or something? That’s why you’re here, because of the break-in. Are they going to come

back?”

He squeezed her shoulder. “I don’t think so, but if they do, I’ll be here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or

your mom or your brother.”

“What about Uncle Logan? What if they go after him? We don’t even know what they want!”

Sydney was working herself up almost to hysteria, and Jack didn’t know what to say to give her peace.

“I’ve already talked to Logan about being careful, and he has security at the resort. My sister Margo is going to come over

later to meet you all. You’ll like her and she’s very good at her job. Her first priority is to find your dad, and my priority

is to keep you all safe. Okay?”

Sydney nodded. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so emotional right now.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

Laura came into the kitchen. “What are you apologizing for?”

“No one knows where Dad is, and I’m worried.”

“Me, too, sweetheart, but Jack and his sister are looking for him.”

“I’m going to call Jenny,” Sydney said and went down the hall to her room.

“You’re good with Sydney,” Laura said.

“You have two great kids,” he said.

“I was shaken last night, I can only imagine how Sydney feels. Cody? Nothing much seems to faze him—unless one of the animals

is hurt.”

“You didn’t tell me Charlie canceled his weekend with the kids.”

“I didn’t think of it, but yes, he did.”

“When?”

“He called me Friday around lunchtime. I was in the clinic and talked to him between patients. I was angry, because this wasn’t

the first time, and the kids are always disappointed. He wanted next weekend, like we swap or something, but next weekend

is Fourth of July, and I have plans for us. So I said no, and I’m always afraid the kids are going to be mad at me when Charlie

is the one who always changes things on us.”

“You have to do what’s right for your family. It’s not easy.”

“It’s not,” she agreed, “but the work is worth it. Like you said, I have two great kids.”

Jack glanced at his watch. It was noon. “I need to talk to your neighbors, check out any security cameras. But first I’m going

to walk the perimeter again.”

“Do you really think that’s necessary?”

“Yes. If Charlie calls, find me.”