Page 34

Thirty-three

THE RIDE TO PHILLIP’S HOME was short, and soon they were in a cozy adobe home, a toasty fire in the kiva fireplace.

“These are beautiful,” Riley said, striding to one of the black-and-white landscape photographs covering the wall.

“Yes, they are,” Phillip said, slipping his fingers through his belt loops. “Mali took them.”

“Who’s Mali?” Riley asked, wondering again at the name.

“Yes, dear?” A woman in a long rust-colored skirt and black button-down shirt rounded the corner. Her long black hair was pulled into a braid, and she had high cheekbones and cinnamon eyes. She was lovely. “Oh, Greyson.” She embraced him in a hug. “So good to see you.” She fixed her attention on Riley. “Hi, I’m Mali.” She smiled.

Riley’s jaw loosened. Mali was Phillip’s wife ? He was saying Grey had found his wife? Her gaze darted to Grey, and a wealth of emotion resided in his eyes. Had he ... did he ... did the kiss mean more than he was letting on, and if so, why was he downplaying it? “I’m sorry,” she said, shaking the thoughts from her head, at least for the moment, and extending her hand. “I’m Riley.”

“Riley.” The woman gave a nod with a warm smile and wrapped her arms around her. “Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you so much.”

Mali straightened and studied Grey, then Riley, until a full grin graced her lips. “Let’s get you seen to.”

****

Deck’s cell rang. He lifted it from the table at Betty’s Diner. “It’s Ri,” he said to Joel, who sat across from him. They’d had an early morning hockey practice, and his thighs were still aching from the drills. “You okay, kid? You had me worried.” All night with nothing then only a brief call this morning letting him know she’d call back.

“I’m fine,” she said. “We’re at friends of Greyson’s—Phillip and Mali Longshaw.”

Deck winced at the memories he knew flooded Greyson whenever he was back on the res. He uttered a quick, silent prayer for his friend. “You know you had me worried sick. Still do.”

“I know, but I couldn’t help not having a signal all night.”

“It’s good you didn’t, with them tracking you with AirTags.”

Joel’s brows arched.

“I’m going to put you on speaker, Ri. Joel’s with me.”

“Hey, Riley. I’m worried about you on this case too.” He leaned in, resting his forearms on the Formica tabletop.

“I appreciate it, but—”

“You’ve never backed down from a case,” Deck finished for her.

“Yeah, and I’m not starting now.”

“Okay.” Joel rubbed his chin. “Be careful out there. I’ve filed an official missing person’s report for Kelly and talked with Roni. She and Brad arrived safely back in Jeopardy Falls late last night.”

“Oh good. I was terrified to leave them there. I’m glad they’re home safe.”

“You come home safe too,” Deck said.

“Will do.”

“Look, I know you’re fully competent on your own, and a fierce force to be reckoned with, but I’m glad Grey’s with you.”

“Me too.”

“I’ve given Kelly’s picture to the news stations and police de partments throughout New Mexico,” Joel said. “And I put a BOLO on Kelly’s car.”

“Jared Henshaw has been gone more than forty-eight hours as well,” Riley said.

“But no one has reported him missing yet,” Deck said. “Mom’s deceased. I tracked his dad down in Georgia. He said Jared called and told him he was heading off on a camping trip with no reception for a couple weeks. Not that they talked much, apparently, but the dad said Jared went off on camping trips often. He doesn’t believe he’s missing at all.”

“Great.” She exhaled on the other end.

“If we feel there’s a tie there,” Joel said, “I can put a BOLO on Jared’s vehicle. We may find it at a camping trailhead.”

“Or we might find Kelly being chased by it.”