Page 37 of Trapped (Sheppard & Sons Investigations #6)

Nathan

I checked emails on my phone. I checked in with Dean, the SSI part-timer with Violet. I glanced at my watch.

Twenty minutes. My knees bounced up and down as I grew restless.

According to the internet, a pregnancy test only takes a few minutes. The rest of the appointment could last ten to thirty minutes, depending on the patient’s needs.

I’ll give it another ten minutes .

I lasted five before going to the counter and asking how much longer it’d be.

“I’m not sure, sir. Dr. Greenfield said Ashley wanted some fresh air. That was about ten minutes ago.”

Every muscle tensed. Blood roared in my veins.

“Show me.” She didn’t deserve my anger, but my fear overrode my ability to be polite or patient.

“Sir, I can’t—”

I kept my voice low, but authoritative. “Her life is in danger, and I’m her bodyguard. Now. Show. Me.”

“What’s the—”

“Doc, I need to find Ashley.”

“She hasn’t come back?” Concern filled her voice as she opened the door. “This way.”

“Thank you,” I said. I’d apologize to Sheila later.

I couldn’t reach the back door fast enough. The instant the doctor stepped out of the way, I shoved it and raced out. With my hand on my gun, I scanned the backyard.

“Ashley!”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” her doctor apologized.

Nothing. That was when I noticed the single black rose on the ground next to Ashley’s purse.

Without turning, I asked, “Do you have cameras back here?”

“No, we’ve never had a need.”

Fuck. “Clear your schedule; your office is now a crime scene.”

I stayed outside and dialed the main number for SSI.

“Hey Nathan.” Meg’s cheerful voice felt like sandpaper on my frayed nerves.

“Flirty’s missing.”

Meg gasped and then yelled, “Jack!”

A few seconds later, Jack called my cell from his.

“Jack’s calling,” I said before hanging up on Meg. I’d owe her an apology too.

“Where are you? What happened?”

“Greenfield’s office. Flirty went out the back for air, and now she’s gone.”

“Jamie’s with a client, but AJ, Cate, and I are leaving now.”

“He left another black rose.” I picked up her purse. “Her phone’s in her bag.” I didn’t care if Jack heard my fear and desperation.

Dr. Greenfield’s office was searched twice; first by SSI, then by the WPD detective investigating the break-in at Violet’s.

Luckily, no one asked why Ashley was at the doctor’s office. Her doctor couldn’t tell them, and I wouldn’t. Neither would Jamie, since this had nothing to do with the pregnancy.

Or did it?

I had to hand it to John; he handled the WPD detective with ease, despite stepping on his toes and refusing to stop our investigation.

Back in my office, the first thing I did was locate Finn. He was at work and about to have a very bad day. That fucker would pay. He may not have taken Ashley, but he most likely hired the guy who did.

Dallas was only ninety minutes away. Less if I ignored the posted speed limits. “I’m going after Finn.”

“Wait,” Jamie said.

I stopped, looked at his hand on my arm, then into Jamie’s intense hazel eyes. He said, “You can’t just go after him—”

“One. Take your hand off me. Two. I quit.”

He was either extremely stupid or exceptionally brave because he gripped my arm tighter.

“One, I’m not accepting your resignation. Two, shut the fuck up and let me finish.” He gave me one and a half seconds to nod my compliance. “AJ and Jack will go with you. You may question Finn. You may not attack Finn. Have I made myself clear?”

“Crystal.” I barked as I yanked my arm away. Turning to Jack, I said, “Let’s go.”

“AJ?” Jamie asked.

“I got him,” AJ answered, stepping in behind me.

Great, I have a fucking babysitter . Not that I blamed Jamie. Left to my own devices, I’d rip Finn’s arms off and beat him with them until he talked.

Jack drove. AJ called shotgun. I crammed my body into the backseat of the company sedan.

“Nathan, we’ve all been where you are. I won’t make empty promises, but we won’t rest until we find Ashley,” Jack promised.

Before I could ask about Jack’s experience, AJ turned in his seat. “Were you followed?”

“What kind of dumbass question is that? No, we weren’t followed.”

“How’d he know where to find you? Who else knew about the appointment?”

“Emily and Jamie. As far as I know, Ashley didn’t tell anyone else.”

“They wouldn’t have said anything.” Jack’s defensiveness was unnecessary.

“Did we sweep her phone for a tracking app?” AJ asked.

“No,” I said. I’ll beat myself up later for not thinking of it.

“Let’s talk through it,” Jack said. We filled the time on the ride to Dallas talking through every idea, no matter how ridiculous it sounded.

Had Finn hired someone? Was the suspect operating with or without Finn’s knowledge? If Finn wasn’t responsible, who the hell was?

We’d have some of those answers soon enough.

The air in the car felt thin. My chest rose and fell in rapid succession. I clenched my fists and my teeth.

I will not have a panic attack.

I will hold my shit together.

I will not fail Ashley.

When I started my countdown, my focus was on Ashley. How she’d looked curled up in my arms. How soft her skin felt. Her laughter, which was always followed by a snort if it lasted too long. The fruity scent of her hair. The taste of her lips.

When Jack parked, he reminded me of the mission before turning off the engine.

Focus on the mission . I’d done it a thousand times before and could do it now for Ashley.

“We’re looking for Finn Bentley,” Jack said to the receptionist.

“Who may I say is asking to see him?” To her credit, there was only a slight tremor in her voice.

“I’m Jackson Sheppard from Sheppard he’d deserved it.

“You haven’t been to her house? Left any gifts for her?”

“Why would I give that bitch—” Finn’s eyes tripled in size when I lunged forward. The only reason he wasn’t sporting a black eye or bloody lip was AJ’s speed.

“Go on,” Jack said, pretending like nothing had happened.

“Why would I give gifts to an ungrateful ex? She refused me even after I promised to get her job back.”

“She didn’t work for you. How could you guarantee that?” I asked, wanting to verify my theory.

“My uncle was her boss.” He paused, his eyes flicking between the three of us. “I have sway.”

I was right. He got her fired and probably played a part in getting her evicted too.

“If I were in your shoes, it would’ve pissed me off when she said no,” Jack said.

Finn hesitated, sensing the trap. “Whatever. I thought I’d made a mistake dumping her, but obviously it was the right move.”

Dude was rewriting history, but it didn’t matter.

“Who told you about Prince?” Jack asked, referring to the texts Finn had sent.

“Who’s Prince?” His question was a lie.

“Her cat,” I barked.

“I, um, I heard it from a…” He trailed off, fidgeting with his pinky ring as he glanced between us.

AJ grew impatient and answered for him. “You spied on her.”

“No, I didn’t. I stopped by to talk to her, but I changed my mind and left. I saw the cat in the window.”

Tired of playing games, I asked, “What’s the significance of the black roses?”

“The what?” His genuine confusion didn’t mean he was innocent; it only meant they weren’t his idea.

Taking a calm step forward, I asked, “Who’d you hire to harass Ashley?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

Jack and I shared a look. No one could act this well. He might convince one of us, but he couldn’t convince all of us at the same time.

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Bentley.” Jack held out his hand, but Finn refused to shake it.

“We’ll show ourselves out,” AJ said, holding the door open for me. They wouldn’t leave me alone with him. Smart choice.

At the door, Jack said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “Thank you, Mr. Bentley. Your help could help us save a life.”

I rolled my eyes. Dude was less than helpful, but Jack’s statement fed Finn’s ego and made him look like a hero, not a suspect.