“All right, Ryan, we’re driving up to Granville today. I’ll have you come, but I’d like you to stay here about another twenty-four hours or so. You can meet with Detective Mulberry at the diner for dinner. I’ll set it up. Make sure you know everything he knows. Keep a look out for our still-missing woman—Billie, or Wilhelmina. I think she may be getting food from the waitress at the diner—the young lady you’re flirting with so well. See what you can come up with. We know Martin and Patty were helping Billie, but if she moved on or was seeking help somewhere else, too, it’s possible you can discover something by being your charming self at the diner. Remember, we need to take extreme personal safety measures around here. Trust no one.”
“I’m on it,” Ryan swore. “So—here, at this moment, I’m the agent in charge?”
“Yes, Ryan, here, at this moment, you’re the agent in charge.”
He ended the call, smiling. He liked Ryan, and believed he had the right stuff to become a strong agent, and he was an agent who could follow through with Hunter’s unit.
“So, Ryan holds down the fort here and we’re heading north.”
“As soon as we check with Aidan Cypress—see if he has anything more he can give us.”
Amy nodded gravely. She smiled. “I told you we needed Aidan.”
He laughed. “Hey, we both knew we needed Aidan.”
Their smiles faded as they looked at one another; it was good not to be in the shack. The tinny scent of blood was strong; heat had done a number on the place, and it was difficult even to stand near.
Aidan emerged. “We’ll get everything we can. Reports will be sent to the sheriff’s office, FDLE and the FBI,” he said. He studied Hunter. “So, what happens if I find something that shows I’m right—that Ethan Morrison is somehow involved?”
Hunter said, “He is a person of interest, you bet. But I’ve been warned, and I’m warning you. We are going to need proof, and we’re going to have to go by the book. The man employs an army of lawyers, so we need every move we make to be within the law.”
Aidan hadn’t followed the law when he’d investigated on private property. Aidan knew it. But he was also aware many people had no idea that the Morrison house was still on private land—the area was a mishmash of state, federal and tribal land, often with blurred lines that made little sense. “I’m processing this scene perfectly by the book,” Aidan promised.
“And as you said, please make sure everything and anything winds up in the hands of every law enforcement agency involved,” Hunter said.
“Yes, sir.” He glanced around. Only Hunter and Amy were outside with him. “I shouldn’t have said anything to you about the Morrison family holdings. I put you in a bad position. I swear, I will follow the law to the nth degree as we move forward.” He let out a breath. “I’ve been at this for years. It’s just...what was done to those women! And why—what the hell is this man trying to make happen?”
“An apocalypse,” Amy said. “It’s possible he’s trying to start something around the country. Florida was his place to begin. He owns land here, where he can get away with anything—with murder, he thinks.”
“Get us what you can from that shack. A solid fingerprint would be nice,” Hunter said. “Amy, an officer is coming to get us back to my car. We should head down to the embankment, be ready for a quick turnaround.”
Not thinking, he slipped an arm around Amy’s shoulders as they walked back toward the canal. The incorrectness of doing so struck him immediately, but Amy didn’t seem to notice. She was deep in thought.
“We’ve never spoken with Casey Colby,” she said. “Do you think she might know something? We’re heading upstate—should we try to find out where she is?”
Hunter released her and pulled out his phone again.
“You’re going to call her?” Amy asked.
He smiled. “I’m calling my tech magician, Sheila,” he told her.
He put through his call. Sheila suggested he just stay on the line.
“I started pulling up info on just about everyone you’ve met down there—and Casey is easy! She is constantly on social media. She’s a bit of a rebel, but on the other hand, true to her teachings. She wants to respect everyone—and every faith. And...oh!”
“What?”
“She’s near you.”
“How do you know that?” Hunter asked warily.
“She just posted a picture. Like, just a minute ago. She’s at a diner, a few miles down 27 from where you are now. The name—”
“We know the diner. Thanks, Sheila!”
He ended the call and looked up; an airboat was arriving. An officer in a county uniform was at the controls.
It was tricky maneuvering getting out to the boat. Aidan’s crew and Mulberry had also arrived via airboat, and the dry area of the embankment had been filled up.
Amy easily leaped onto the flat-bottomed vehicle and he followed suit. They introduced themselves to the officer who was happy to help them, and shortly they were back at Hunter’s car.
“Let’s hope she’s still there,” Amy said.
“For where we were, we moved pretty quick. Hopefully, she just ordered. Even fast food takes time.”
“Kaila,” Amy murmured.
“The waitress—what about her?”
“She and Casey must be close in age. I’m willing to bet they’re friends.”
“Possibly. So, you think they’re both helping our missing Billie?”
“I definitely think it’s possible.”
“Well, then, be your charming self,” Hunter said. He exited the car; Amy did the same. She led the way in.
Kaila Franklin was working; she was delivering sodas to a table against the window when Hunter and Amy entered.
Hunter smiled and waved.
“Sit where you like,” Kaila said.
He noted a young woman with long honey-brown hair sitting alone at one of the booths. Amy saw her, too, and headed straight for a booth that was just in front of Casey’s.
But she didn’t sit; she looked straight at the young woman and asked, “Casey Colby?”
The girl started, almost spitting out a swallow of the tea she had been drinking. “Yes, hi, I—do I know you?”
Amy managed a brilliant move, sliding into Casey’s booth across from her, and saying quickly, “May we?” And not waiting for an answer.