Page 59 of Vanish From Sight

“Where you going?” Callie asked.

“To pay a visit to Nate Sawyer,” Noah replied over his shoulder.

“You want me to come?”

He turned, answering her as he walked backwards. “No. Have Laura’s phone dusted for prints, get Rishi on it to see what we can extract, and then get a list of all licensed blue Kia Sportage’s in the area. Canvass the neighborhood for video footage and check with local PD and State to see if there have been any reports of stolen vehicles in the last month matching that model.” He walked on, then stopped. “Oh,” he waved a finger at the ground. “Bag the rope. Check for prints, hair, you know the routine.”

16

Tuesday, November 22, 12:15 p.m.

What on earth was the stranger doing?

It was only as he got closer that Noah recognized it was no stranger. Detective Angus McKenzie had his back turned and was resting his foot on top of the Bronco’s rear bumper, pumping it as if testing the suspension.

The vehicle groaned.

After working his way out of the collective group back to his vehicle, Noah was surprised to see the peculiar Scotsman. He had a phone up to his ear and was talking loud enough to scare a flock of birds out of the trees. They soared overhead, squawking as Noah cleared his throat.

McKenzie turned, eyeing him. “Aye. I’ll tell him. I will do.”

He hung up.

“You mind,” Noah said, gesturing to his muddy boot on the bumper.

He removed it, sniffing hard. “Shabby ride. State not able to swing you a cruiser?”

“I prefer this,” Noah replied, moving around him to get in. He had his hand on the handle when McKenzie let loose.

“Well, if I’m going to be with you, we should probably discuss rules. One being who drives.”

“Excuse me?”

“I prefer to drive. Nothing against you but with retirement around the corner the last thing I need is my life cut short by a heavy-footed Yank. I’m not going out that way.”

“Um. Back up the train.” Noah released his hand from the driver’s side, closing the door. “You must have your wires crossed; Thorne is assisting.”

“Not now she isn’t. I mean. Let me rephrase that. Not in the capacity you think.” He winked at him as if suggesting his relationship with Thorne was more than copacetic. McKenzie strode around to the driver’s side completely convinced he was getting in.

Noah pulled out his phone and stood in front of the driver’s door, blocking access.

“If you’re looking to run it by Rivera, forget it,” McKenzie added. “That’s who I was just speaking to on the phone. She was the one that green-lit this little shindig. Now, I’ll admit, it’s not my first choice but I can’t argue with the powers that be.”

“But you said you were snowed under with work.”

“I am. Trust me, lad, if I had my way, I would be anywhere but here. But with another body on our hands, and no nearer to solving it, between you and I, Rivera doesn’t want this going sideways. Hence, the need for me.” He held out his hands. “Keys.”

“You’re not driving my vehicle.”

“Aye, I am, lad.”

“Oh, hell no.”

McKenzie jabbed a finger in the air. “Now let’s not start off on the wrong foot.”

“I’m not your lad.” Unconvinced by the crap spewing from his mouth, Noah leaned back against the Bronco and made the call, keeping a close eye on him. Rivera answered almost as if she knew what he was about to ask.

“It was my decision, Noah,” she said.