Holiday Homecoming Secrets. Lynette Eason

      “Let’s find out,” Bryce said. “You have their numbers?”

      Heather’s lips quirked even though the action didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m a cop. I don’t think getting their numbers is going to be a problem.” The smile didn’t last long. “But I’ll call his boss. If anyone would know what Frank was up to, it’d be him.”

      “If Frank told him,” Bryce muttered.

      Heather scowled. “Why would he not tell him? His boss is the one who approves the stories that he works on.”

      “I’m not sure he was working just one story.”

      “Then his boss can tell us that.” Heather dialed the man’s number and waited. “Hi, Larry, it’s Heather.” She tapped the screen to put him on speakerphone. “I’m so sorry to wake you, but I have reason to believe that Frank’s in trouble. Can you tell me if he had to go out of town suddenly?”

      “Ah, no, not on the paper’s dime.” He cleared his throat. “What makes you think he’s in trouble?”

      Heather explained. “What was he working on?”

      “A couple of things. Nothing I can discuss with you. I’m sorry.”

      “Larry—”

      “No, I’m not budging on that. Frank’s probably just looking into something. And truthfully, he didn’t tell me a lot of details, just that he was on to something big and hoped to have the full story on my desk sometime next week. Seriously, Heather, he’ll most likely turn up when he’s good and ready. Now, go back to sleep and quit worrying.”

       Click.

      Heather slumped, frustration stamped on her drawn features. “Okay, that was a dead end. Hold on a second.” She left and returned with her laptop. “Coworkers would be the next step, right? Let’s see who we can find that might be able to tell us something useful.”

      Thirty minutes later, they were no closer to having an answer about Frank’s whereabouts, and Heather’s emotional state had quickly gone south. She turned to Bryce. “What was he working on?”

      “I’m not at liberty to say. He asked me not to.”

      “Well, he’s not here, so...”

      “I can’t. I gave him my word that I’d keep his confidence.”

      “Is it something that could land him in trouble? At least tell me that.”

      Bryce sighed. “Yeah. If certain people discovered he was doing some snooping into their business, then they wouldn’t be happy about it. But I don’t see how they could know.”

      She snapped her lips shut. “He never said he was doing anything dangerous.”

      “He was protecting you,” Jade said softly. “He didn’t want you to know he was putting himself in that kind of situation because it would have distracted you.”

      “So, you know what he was working on?” Heather asked.

      “No. I just know if it was something dangerous, he would have kept it from you. You and I walk into potentially dangerous situations every day. He wouldn’t want you worried about him, too.”

      Heather shook her head and lasered Bryce with a hard look. “It’s up to you to help us find him.”

      “Heather—”

      Her friend lifted her chin and gave Jade a stony glare. Jade sighed and snapped her lips shut. There wasn’t any sense in telling Heather there would be no “us.” Heather wouldn’t be working the case. If there even was a case.

      In her mind, there was. All evidence pointed toward Frank being missing. Or worse.

      “I’ve already said more than I should have,” Bryce said, “but I’m worried.”

      “So am I.” Heather rose. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

      “Where are you going?” Jade asked.

      “To get dressed, then I’m going to find my fiancé.” She paused. “Stay in here, will you? Like I said, the den’s a mess.” She blew out a breath. “And I know that’s just not important right now, but it’s a stressor.”

      Jade held up a hand. “We’ll stay here.”

      “Thanks. I’ll be right back.”

      True to her word, Heather returned to the kitchen in record time, dressed to face the day. After several more unproductive phone calls, she dropped into the nearest chair and raked a hand through her still mussed hair. “What are we going to do? We’ve called everyone. His sister hasn’t heard from him since he stayed over at her house last weekend. His parents talked to him yesterday, and he didn’t say anything about going on a trip. Where could he be?”

      Jade stood. “I think it’s time to put a BOLO out on him and get help.”

      “I agree,” Heather said with a slow nod. “I’ll do it.”

      While Heather made the call, Jade walked over to stand in front of Bryce, who leaned against the sink, sipping his second cup of coffee. “What was he working on, Bryce?” she asked softly. “We need to know so we have some direction.”

      Bryce set his coffee down and pursed his lips. “He made me promise not to say anything. I don’t want to betray that confidence.”

      “Not even if it means helping us figure out if he’s in trouble or not?”

      He closed his eyes, obviously torn. “What if I tell you and he’s fine?”

      She planted her hands on her hips. “What if you don’t tell me and he’s in trouble?”

      More than anything, Bryce wanted to tell her, because not for a moment did he think she would be involved in what had Frank investigating the local police department. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Jade. Rather, it was a matter of confidentiality.

      But she was right.

      What if by keeping his promise, he was putting Frank in further danger? He couldn’t think how that might be, but...what if?

      Before he had a chance to decide what he should do, Heather returned to the kitchen. “The BOLO is out and my brain is so scrambled, I can’t for the life of me think what we should do next. How’s that for being a detective for you? I’ll never judge family members of a missing person ever again.”

      “You should stay here,” Jade said, “in case Frank shows up. Bryce and I will call you if we find him. And you call us if you hear from him.”

      “Just sit here and worry?” Heather scoffed. “Not happening.”

      “Come on, Heather, you know you need to stay. Just in case he shows up.”

      “He’s not going to show up here, I don’t think. He’d go home.”

      “Well, you can’t go there. If he’s truly missing, his house will be treated like a crime scene. Bryce and I were careful, but even our searching may have disturbed something. Don’t add to it.” She knew she sounded bossy, but she also knew Heather might be tempted to throw caution to the wind in her desperation to find Frank.

      Heather pursed her lips and looked like she wanted to argue, but finally nodded. “If I decide to go over there, I won’t go inside. I may just sit and watch the house.”

      Jade nodded. “If you feel like you have to be there, then yeah...okay. I don’t think we’re going to be doing much of anything else tonight.”

      Heather hesitated, then gave a groan and a nod. “Fine. But please stay in touch.”

      “Absolutely.”