Page 82 of Vanish From Sight

“Apple Phone. Her last known location.”

“Do we know where she was before that?”

“I don’t know. Ethan said he gave her a number for some pups that were being sold in town. I expect if we pull her phone records, we can triangulate on her phone and determine where she was before where we found her.”

“I’ll get on that. You think it’s related?”

“Maggie wanted her to look into a dog kidnapping ring that’s been operating in the area.”

“Katherine Evans. Didn’t you say that her dog was scooped up by Thomas Green?”

“That’s right. But he has a history of dropping off dogs at the shelter.”

“First impressions of him?”

“A little slow. Harmless.”

“The kind of person that most wouldn’t bat an eye at if he was pulled in for taking dogs?” she asked.

Noah looked at her. He could tell where she was going with it.

“He was straight with us. There’s nothing that ties him to any ring.”

“For now.”

They drove on until Savannah pulled up to Lena’s house. Noah had a sense of dread settling heavy in his chest. The thought of telling Ethan and Mia that their mother was no longer alive made it almost hard to breathe. He’d given death notifications all his career but, in that moment, he didn’t know how to do it, how to say it, or how to prepare them for the pain that would follow.

The Suburban idled.

Noah saw movement behind the curtain. Aiden appeared at the window, looking out.

Savannah stared. “You want me to come in and tell them?”

“No, I need to do it.” He got out. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Remember what I said.”

Noah held on to the door, looking at her. “Don’t force me out of this one, please. Of all the ones you could. Give me this.”

She sighed. “Noah.”

“I’ve never asked anything of you.”

Savannah groaned. “I should have never told you about this position.”

He closed the door, knowing that Savannah would wrestle with her decision but ultimately, their history together and her confidence in him would override what she considered was best.

Noah took a deep breath as he walked up to the door. He hadn’t made it within five feet when it opened. Ethan answered the door. He looked at his father quizzically before glancing around him. “Is mom driving your vehicle?”

That was answered when the trooper got out and brought the keys to Noah before leaving with Savannah. “Dad, what’s going on?” Ethan asked.

“Let’s go inside.”

Ethan looked beside himself, confused, already emotional.

Mia on the other hand was sitting in the living room with Aiden. Poised, as if almost expecting bad news. One glance at Aiden, and his chin dropped.

Noah struggled to find the words but eventually they came out.