Page 17 of Three Girls Gone

On the way out, she passed a group of chatty women going inside.

“They’re saying it’s that girl who went missing,” one woman said.

Amanda stopped and turned. “Excuse me.”

The woman who had spoken gave her a tight smile. “Yes?”

Small-town expression, without warmth. “I couldn’t help but overhear you. Where did you hear that, about the girl? Hailey Tanner, I’m assuming?”

“Yes. It just hit the news. Heard it on the radio before I got out of my car.”

Amanda stiffened but did her best to hide the reaction. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The woman and her friends carried on to the counter while Amanda resumed her trek to the car. She passed the bag and coffees through the driver’s window to Trent.

Trent stuck the cups in the console and was pulling out the food by the time she got into the passenger seat. “Guessing this is yours?” He held up the muffin, and she snatched it before he gave her some lecture about taking better care of herself. He still got out, “At least you opted for some food.”

“There’s more you should be concerned about. Word about Hailey is out.”

“Oh, crap.”

“Yeah.” This investigation was about to take on a life of its own.

NINE

Amanda had taken a sip of coffee and Trent a few bites of his sandwich when her phone rang. “It’s Malone,” she said before answering on speaker.

“Tell me you’ve got some solid leads,” Malone spat out the moment she picked up.

“We have a few things we’re following up.” She filled him in on the developments at the Tanner house, leaving out any of her speculations about Butters or someone from the fertility clinic.

“So either an intruder or someone the Tanners welcomed into their home,” he summarized.

“That’s the gist. We have a list of names, and Detective McGee with Missing Persons is getting more together for us. Apparently, the Tanners held a dinner for investors and Mayor Beswick was present.”

Malone’s end of the line fell silent, leaving her with the sound of Trent’s chewing followed by him crumpling the wrapper from the sandwich.

“Sarge?”

“You can’t honestly suspect the mayor’s involvement in any of this.”

“I never said that I did, but I thought you’d like to know.” She’d been at this job long enough to know so much of it was about optics.

“Don’t go near him unless you run it past me. Am I understood?”

“Understood.”

“And whatever you do, work fast. The news is out, and the police chief wants to provide some answers ASAP.”

No advantage would come from confirming scuttlebutt was already making its way around. She pictured Chief Buchanan all over Malone to provide him with updates. High-profile cases always put the department under a microscope. It was her and Trent’s third such case in the last six months. “Trent and I will keep you posted, but that’s all I can promise.”

Malone mumbled something incoherent before ending the call.

“I don’t envy him,” Trent said as he got them on the road again.

“Me either. But is it just me or is the chief worked up more often these days?” When he first joined the PWCPD, he was a strong and fair leader who respected the team of people under him. In recent months, he wore his authority with more grit, putting her opinion of him in flux.