Читать книгу Justice Mission - Lynette Eason - Страница 14

Sophie fought to catch her breath. “This reads like a—a—” She couldn’t say it.

“Suicide note,” Luke finished for her, his brows drawn tightly over the bridge of his nose.

“No,” she whispered. “He wouldn’t.” Her eyes met Katie’s. Jordan’s wife frowned even though she was too far away to know what was going on.

But one thing was certain. Jordan had too much to live for to take his own life. Just last week Katie had walked into headquarters to meet Jordan for lunch and then suddenly made a mad dash past Sophie’s desk and into the restroom. Concerned, Sophie had followed only to hear Katie throwing up.

“Are you all right?” she’d asked when the woman had finally emerged from the stall and finished with the sink.

Katie had checked under each stall, then turned to Sophie and grinned. “We’re alone, so I can tell you that I’m absolutely perfect.”

At first, Sophie could only blink. Then gasp. “You’re pregnant!”

“Shh!” Katie had held a finger to her lips. “I haven’t told anyone yet.”

“What about Jordan?”

“He knows, but no one else. We’re kind of in shock, but it’s thrilling and we’re really just savoring the moment, you know? We plan to tell everyone soon. Probably after the first trimester.”

“Good for you.” Sophie had hugged her friend. “I won’t tell a soul. What did Jordan say when you told him?”

“He was over-the-moon excited.”

“Wouldn’t what? Sophie? Hello?” Noah Jameson’s voice brought Sophie back to the present.

She blinked away the memory and her gaze lifted to meet Luke’s, then slid around the others who’d gathered in front of her, their expressions confused and slightly wary. All except Noah’s. She never could read him.

Sophie passed him the note. Noah read it, his expression shutting down even more, then passed it to his brothers. “You’re right. He wouldn’t.”

“No, he definitely wouldn’t,” Zach said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I’ll call him, and he’ll straighten this out.” They waited in silence as Zach stood and punched in his brother’s number, blue eyes narrowed. He ran a hand through his hair and pressed the device to his ear, his rising tension adding to the thickness already surrounding them all.

Seconds ticked.

“Answer the phone, Jordan,” Sophie whispered.

But Zach was already lowering the device. “It went straight to voice mail.”

“No,” Sophie said. “That’s not possible. He never turns his phone off. Especially not on a day like this. Straight to voice mail? That scares me a little.” A lot.

“It’s scaring Katie, too,” Noah said with a glance at his sister-in-law, who watched them from her first-row seat in the auditorium. Too far away to hear the conversation, yet close enough to know something serious was going on and Sophie knew they were going to have to fill her in.

As though Sophie’s gaze compelled her, Katie stood and walked toward them. Noah met her in front of the stage. “What is it? You’re all acting weird and being super secretive.”

“Can you call Jordan?” Noah asked.

“Why?”

“We need to know where he is and I’m sure if he’s got his phone on the Do Not Disturb setting for whatever reason, he’ll have it programmed so that you’ll ring right through.”

A door slammed in the back and laughter reached them.

“Let’s move out of the auditorium,” Sophie said. “People are starting to arrive and we’ll have more privacy in the room next door.”

She led the way into a room that held three sofas and a couple of chairs. A full kitchen dominated the back wall to allow for catered events. All of this registered in a nanosecond before they surrounded Katie and waited for her to dial Jordan’s number.

With a frown, Katie did as requested, listened for a moment, then hung up. “It went straight to voice mail.” Her eyes darted from one brother to the next.

Sophie’s nerves tightened, and Katie’s gaze landed on hers. Sophie knew what her friend was thinking. Jordan never turned off his phone. Ever. And if for some reason, he decided to do so, he’d let someone know in advance. Especially in case Katie needed to reach him.

“He’s not answering her either,” Noah murmured. “I don’t believe this. This isn’t good.”

“I have the password to his phone, so I can track it,” Katie said. “He always wants me to be able to locate him if I need to. I’ve never used it before. I’ve never had to.”

“Then I’d say this would be a good time to do it,” Luke said. “Do you mind seeing what you can find out?”

“Of course.” She punched in the digits, then lifted her gaze to meet his and the others who’d gathered around her.

“What is it?” Luke asked. “Can you tell us where he is?”

“Something’s wrong. It says his phone’s offline, but it shouldn’t be. He’s never offline.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m starting to get really scared. What’s going on?”

Carter shook his head. “We don’t know, but I’ve had enough standing around. I’m going to look for him.”

“Me, too,” Zach said.

“I’m coming, too.” Noah shoved his phone back on his clip and planted his hands on his hips. “But before we run out of here all hasty and unorganized, let’s get a plan of action together.”

Of course that would be Noah’s first thought.

“Wait a minute,” Katie said.

They froze.

“I don’t understand.” Katie crossed her arms. “Can someone please explain to me why you’re going to look for Jordan when he should have walked through the door way before now?” Katie asked, her voice containing a slightly hysterical edge. “And then tell me why he would have his phone turned off because if you can’t, then something’s really, really wrong.” Worry drew lines across her forehead and at the corners of her mouth. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I know I keep saying that, but I need to know where he is and if he’s okay. And you guys know something you’re not telling me. Now, please, what is it?”

Sophie bit her lip. “We found a note that seems to indicate he’s in trouble. Everyone is getting ready to go search for him.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“We’re not sure, but we’re going to find out,” Zach said. He put an arm around his sister-in-law’s shoulders. “Let’s go over here a second so we can talk.”

Noah and Carter joined the two off to the side, and Katie gave a sharp cry. Sophie figured they’d told her the contents of the note. Ignoring the need to rush over and comfort her friend, she turned to the others. “Just so I’m clear, I don’t believe Jordan wrote that note for one second, but we can’t take the chance that it’s not real. We have to act as though he did and that he means it.”

Luke nodded. “I agree. But where do we start looking?”

Zach and Katie had returned in time to hear her comment. Katie shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “He wouldn’t kill himself. He didn’t leave that note!”

“We know,” Sophie said. She faced Katie and took her friend’s hands. “We don’t believe it either. Something else is going on and we’re going to find out, okay?”

“Yes. Yes, we are.” Katie lifted her chin and swiped her hands over her face.

“The guy who snatched me was messing with the folder when I walked in,” Sophie said. “Maybe he put the note in there.”

“If that’s the case, then we need to find Jordan immediately,” Luke said.

Katie nodded. “Exactly, So, what’s the plan?”

“Was Jordan headed straight here when he left this morning?”

“No,” she sniffed. “He was going to take Snapper out to the Vanderbilt Parkway and run part of the bike path, then go to headquarters to shower and change before coming over here.”

“Vanderbilt Parkway,” Luke said. Also known as the Long Island Motor Parkway. A big part of New York’s history, it was a great place to run or ride bikes now that automobiles were banned from it—and he knew it was part of Jordan’s daily routine. “Then that’s where we’ll look first.”

“We need to check any of his favorite places, as well,” Sophie said.

“He had a lot of favorite places,” Katie said. “Not all of them are in Queens.”

Luke nodded. “Then we’re going to need more manpower. Someone call Gavin and fill him in on what’s going on.”

“Today’s his day off,” Sophie said, picturing the tall, dark-haired, brown-eyed handler. Gavin Sutherland was another K-9 officer. His Springer spaniel was well-trained to sniff out explosives. And while they may not need Tommy for that reason, she knew as well as Luke did that Gavin would never forgive them if they didn’t include him in the search for their boss. “We’ll also need to get a BOLO out on Jordan and get his face in front of people as well as notify officers in all the boroughs to be watching for him.”

“No,” Katie said.

Carter raised a brow. “No?”

“You know Jordan. He’d hate that. There’s got to be some other way.”

“But we need to find him fast,” Noah said. “In order to do that, we need as many eyes looking for him as possible.”

“But—”

“They’re right, Katie,” Sophie said softly. “I’m sorry, but they are. I’d rather live with his anger than something really be wrong and we not pull out all the stops.”

“And besides,” Luke said, “that guy was messing with the folder. It’s very possible he’s the one who put that note there. If so, this could be some kind of setup to make it look like Jordan’s going to commit suicide. If that’s the case, then speed is of the essence before...”

Before he was killed.

No one wanted to say it, but everyone sure thought it.

Katie swiped another tear and a heavy sigh escaped her. She finally shook her head and planted her hands on her hips. “Okay. Fine. You’re right. We need as many people looking for him as we can get.”

The brothers nodded.

“All right,” Luke said. “I’m going to see if Dani can trace his vehicle.”

“Good idea,” Sophie said. Danielle Abbott, one of the department’s technical analysts would use the GPS attached to the SUV to get a ping on its location.

“Zach,” Luke said, “you get the BOLO out.” K-9 Officers Brianne Hayes and Tony Knight stepped forward with Finn. Luke turned to Katie. “Can you make up a list of all of Jordan’s favorite places and give it to these guys?”

“Of course.”

“Once Katie gives you the list,” he said to the others, “divide up. Bruno and I have the Vanderbilt Parkway.”

“And me,” Sophie said. “We can’t have the ceremony without Jordan, so we’ll just postpone it until he can be here.”

“Postpone the ceremony,” Luke said, “but you don’t need to go. You’ve just been through a major trauma.”

Sophie straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Jordan’s my boss, too. I’m as much a part of this department as the rest of you—”

Luke held up a hand. “I’m not saying you’re not.”

“Good. And I might even be able to identify the guy in spite of his ballcap and sunglasses. Maybe. So let’s not waste any more time debating whether I’m going or not.” She headed for the exit, limping slightly.

Luke frowned. “Fine. I’d rather have you with us anyway.”

“Thank you,” she tossed over her shoulder.

“At least then I’ll know you’re safe,” he muttered.

She grimaced but refused to comment. Instead, she prayed as they raced toward Vanderbilt Parkway. It seemed to take forever to reach it in spite of the sirens that moved traffic out of the way.

Dani had quickly gotten back to them, saying the GPS had been disabled on Jordan’s SUV and she wasn’t able to get a location on the vehicle.

“What could possibly be going on with him?” Sophie asked. “Jordan wouldn’t disable the GPS and he didn’t leave that letter, Luke. I think the man who grabbed me did.”

“I’d say that’s a real possibility, but we have to cover all the bases.”

“I know. I’m just saying that I’ve never seen Jordan so low he’d want to take his own life. Sure, he has struggles, but who doesn’t?” She shook her head as she envisioned confronting her brother about his—in her opinion—questionable decision to join the Marines. “But he’s not even close to being suicidal.” Especially with a baby on the way that he was excited about. But that wasn’t her news to share. “There’s something else going on and we need to figure out what it is.”

“What we need to do is find Jordan and let him tell us.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Keep in mind, though,” Luke said, “everyone has a dark side they never show the world. A lot of people have a hidden pain that can sometimes overwhelm them and no one in their lives ever suspects.”

Silence fell between them for a moment.

“I know about hidden pain,” Sophie finally said, her tone subdued. “But that doesn’t mean it always leads to suicide.”

“I agree. But sometimes it does—or at least thoughts of it.” His low words had her looking at him more closely.

She had a feeling he was speaking from experience. “Did someone you know commit suicide?”

He blinked. “No, nothing like that. I’ve just worked with a lot of people over the years and I’ve worked a few suicides. People who’ve killed themselves, and their families had no idea they were struggling. I guess what I’m saying is that the face a lot of people show the outside world in no way reflects what’s really going on inside them.”

“Jordan’s not like that.”

“You know him that well?”

“Yes.”

“Huh.”

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“I guess I’m just surprised. We’ve known each other for two years, worked together on a daily basis, and I don’t know you like that.”

She gaped. “You’ve never made the effort. Every time you’ve come into the office, you’re like, ‘Hi, how are you?’ And that’s about the extent of it.”

He shut his lips and she wondered if she’d spoken out of turn. Asking him about it would have to wait. Luke pulled into the entrance of the park. “Keep going,” she said. “You know where the bike trail is, right?”

“Yes.”

“I had to come out here on one of Jordan’s afternoons off to get his signature on some papers he’d been waiting on. He was running the trail with Snapper and said he’d come in to the office. It was a gorgeous day so I didn’t mind getting outside. If it had been raining, I’m not sure I would have offered.” She shot him a quick smile.

“Yes, you would have.” At her raised brow, he shrugged. “I’m beginning to get to know you a bit, I think.”

“It doesn’t take long. I’m pretty much an open book.”

“Hmm. Somehow, I wonder.” He cleared his throat. “Did Jordan have a favorite area out here?”

“Just the Parkway. Sometimes he ran, sometimes he biked, but he always had Snapper with him. And while it’s not near here, he also liked to run along the East River.”

“Someone else will check there.” Luke followed her directions to the entrance. While he drove, she took in the vast landscape unfolding before them. Right in the middle of Queens, the wooded area stretched endlessly. “I don’t know, Luke, this place is huge. There’s just too much ground to cover.”

“That’s why so many cops are looking for him.”

Already there were a multitude of law enforcement vehicles in the area. No one questioned one more pulling in. Luke got on the radio and reported his position and requested an update. “No one’s spotted Jordan yet,” he said.

“It’s still early.” She climbed out of the SUV and waited for Luke to release Bruno and join her. “This doesn’t feel right.”

“What do you mean?”

“While I know and understand that we’re following protocol in the way we’re conducting the search, I just feel like we’re on the wrong track and wasting precious time. We need to check that letter for fingerprints. Ones that don’t match ours.”

“It’s in an evidence bag. I’ll get someone to send it over to the lab immediately. Regardless of where Jordan is, that guy kidnapped you and we need to find out who he is.”

“No kidding.” She bit her lip and glanced around.

“Jordan likes this path a lot,” she said. “Katie says when he needs to be alone, he spends as much time as possible walking, running or biking this trail and praying. She says it calms him and gives him focus.”

Officers talked with those enjoying the warm spring day. One held up his phone and showed a young couple the screen. Jordan’s picture, no doubt. They both shook their heads and the officer’s shoulders slumped slightly, but he nodded and made his way to the next person.

“What is it?” Luke asked her.

“What do you mean?”

“Something’s been bothering you—other than the obvious—since we found the letter,” Luke said. “So, what is it?”

Sophie pressed her lips together, then looked at him. “The handwriting on the letter was Jordan’s.”

He stilled. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. I see it every day. He’s forever writing notes and placing them on my desk.”

Luke stared at her. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

“Because I thought we’d have answers by now. I thought we would have found Jordan and he would have explained everything. The fact that we haven’t found him yet scares me to death, because while I don’t believe he’s suicidal, I definitely believe he’s in some kind of serious trouble and time may be running out for him.”

* * *

The problem was, Luke mostly agreed with her, although he couldn’t deny the little niggling of doubt that wanted to raise its head and demand attention.

He shoved it aside for the moment, slightly ashamed at the flare of uncertainty—and, if he was honest—jealousy of her unwavering loyalty to her boss. It hadn’t taken him long to discover there was a depth to Sophie he wouldn’t have guessed she possessed.

However, just in the last few hours, she’d proven herself a loyal employee—the kind who worked hard because of her innate integrity, not just because she was earning a paycheck. And she was Jordan’s friend as well as his assistant. She would defend those she cared about to the bitter end—including her fierce belief that Jordan wouldn’t kill himself. She’d made that abundantly clear.

And yet, Luke hesitated. While he admired that about Sophie, sometimes loyalty and devotion could blind a person to reality. Sometimes. He wasn’t saying that was the case with Sophie and their boss, but he wasn’t ruling it out either. And a small part of him couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to have someone like Sophie in his corner. For someone to have that kind of unshakable devotion to him.

Bruno jerked at the end of the leash, anxious to do his job. Only Luke didn’t have a job for him to do. Bruno was a cadaver K-9, whose specialty was finding dead bodies, and Jordan wasn’t dead. Luke’s jaw tightened, but he followed after the animal, determined to do his part in locating his boss. He had to keep believing it wasn’t too late. That he wasn’t too late. Please, God, please let us find him—alive—and let there be a reasonable explanation for his disappearance.

For the next two hours, he and the other officers searched the area without success. Jordan wasn’t there. Or at any of his favorite places according to reports coming in.

“Where could he be?” Sophie finally asked on the verge of tears.

Luke’s heart slammed against his chest in empathy with her worry. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right, though. Maybe we need to sit down with Katie and talk through everything.”

“Like what?”

“Like Jordan’s morning. His schedule. What he said to her before he left? Everything. There’s no detail too small, but I’m pretty confident about one thing.”

“What’s that?” Sophie asked.

“Jordan never made it to the Parkway this morning.”

“Why?”

“Because Bruno didn’t even get a hint of his scent. That means he wasn’t there.”

“Then let’s go.” Sophie hurried to the SUV and Luke climbed behind the wheel after making sure Bruno was settled. He paused.

Sophie frowned. “What are you waiting for?”

“Do you have Katie’s number?”

“Of course.”

“Can you call her? I think we can do this over the phone and it will be faster than going back to the auditorium.”

“Sure. I can put her on speaker.”

Sophie dialed the number. It only made it through half a ring before Katie answered. “Sophie? Did you find him?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

Katie’s muffled sob echoed through the phone’s speaker, and Luke winced. Katie was one of the sweetest people on the planet and he hated that she was suffering—that they were all suffering. “I’m here, too, Katie,” Luke said. “Listen, we’re not giving up, so just keep hanging in there, okay? But we think you can help.”

“Yes. Of course.” She sniffed. “Anything. What can I do?”

“Tell me about this morning when you last saw Jordan. What was his mind-set like?”

“Um...nothing unusual. He seemed fine. And by fine, he was joking around about some things, talking about where we’d take our next vacation. He was proud of the graduating K-9s and handlers and said what a great addition they would be to the force. He was looking forward to the future,” she said softly. “That note wasn’t from him.”

“I don’t think it was either,” Sophie said, “but did you look at it?”

“No, I didn’t want to. Why?”

“It was his handwriting.”

Katie paused. “Then someone forced him to do it,” she said, her voice low, but firm. “The only way he would write that note is if someone held a gun to his head.” She paused. “Or threatened me.”

“I’d agree with that last part,” Sophie said.

“What time did Jordan leave this morning?” Luke asked.

“Before I did—around 8:30. He took Snapper with him for their run, then was supposed to go straight to headquarters, where he was going to use the shower, dress, then head to the auditorium to go over his remarks before the ceremony.”

Luke paused, lips pursed. “Did you see him actually get in the vehicle and drive away?”

She paused. “Um...no. I didn’t.”

“I’ve got an idea,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“I don’t think Jordan ever made it to the park to take Vanderbilt Parkway. I’m going to get Finn to bring Abernathy to your house and see if the dog can pick up Jordan’s scent and at least tell us which way he went when he left the house—and whether or not he was on foot or in his vehicle.”

“But the SUV is gone.”

“I know.” That didn’t necessarily mean Jordan was driving it. He kept that to himself. “I’ll meet you there.”

Luke hung up and dialed Finn’s number.

“You find him?” the K-9 officer answered.

“No. Sophie thinks we’re going about this all wrong and I have to say I kind of agree with her.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Meet me at Jordan’s house with Abernathy. Katie’s going to give us one of the chief’s shirts and you’re going to see how far Abernathy can take you.”

“Not a bad idea. I’ll meet you there in twenty.”

“On the way.”

When Luke neared the Jameson home in Rego Park, all he could do was pray Abernathy and Finn would find something that would give the next step in their search for Jordan. The three-story multifamily building was home to the entire Jameson clan.

“We’ll need to talk to Alexander and Ivy,” Luke said.

Alexander and Ivy Jameson, parents to Noah, Carter, Zach and Jordan, lived on the first floor. Jordan and Katie shared the second floor, and the other brothers, along with Carter’s six-year-old daughter, Ellie, had the large third-floor apartment in true Full House fashion. Luke knew Carter’s wife, Ellie’s mother, had died in childbirth, leaving Carter devastated and in need of help with the newborn. The family hadn’t hesitated, jumping right in to do whatever Carter needed.

Luke had often envied the tight-knit family that was so very different from his own. With one brother and a father who blamed him for his mother’s death, Luke kept his distance from them.

“Mr. and Mrs. Jameson are out of town this week visiting relatives in Florida,” Sophie said. “I sure hope we can find Jordan and not have to tell them anything about all of this.”

“Okay. Then that’s the plan for now.”

He parked on the street just as Finn and Abernathy arrived. Katie’s car was already in the driveway. The door opened, and she stepped onto the porch. Luke drew in a deep breath. “All right, let’s do this.”