Topher. Thank god. “I’m at Raine’s and she’s missing. So is Briar.”
Royce hadn’t looped in his best friend because Topher was supposed to be in Denver wrapping up the first official job for King Security. He hadn’t wanted Topher dropping everything to race back to Rexville. And he wasn’t apologizing for his decision.
“Caleb hinted at something when we talked last night, asshole. I’ll be at Raine’s in three.”
“Just don’t run anyone down on your way here.”
While he waited for backup, Royce checked the 4Runner and found Briar’s cell phone sitting in the console. His stomach dropped another few hundred feet. Whatever had happened, it couldn’t be good. Shutting the car door again, he turned in a circle, taking in the almost bucolic neighborhood with its old houses and big trees that provided much-needed shade in the summer.
A curtain twitched open. Royce saw Mrs. Butler’s age-lined face and headed across the street. The long-retired city librarian opened the door before he could knock.
“Good morning, Mrs. Butler,” Royce said. He attempted to mask his impatience with the pleasantries, even as he wanted to demand she answer his questions immediately.
“Good morning, Sheriff King.” The septuagenarian offered him a broad smile, her faded blue eyes twinkling.
News certainly got around Rexville fast. But then he remembered that perhaps Mrs. Butler also served on the city council.
“I wondered if you’ve seen Raine this morning? I stopped by to see her and the door is open, but she isn’t there.”
“Now that you mention it, I did see something.” Royce nodded, encouraging her to keep going. “I was looking out at the weather, wondering if I was going to need my heavy jacket for a walk, when I saw Raine and her friend getting into one of those minivans with some men I didn’t recognize.”
“They… went willingly?”
Mrs. Butler nodded. “It looked like it. And I should tell you, Sheriff, those men didn’t look like the kind of people they should be associating with.”
“What did they look like?”
She frowned and wrinkled her nose. “They had beards”—as if having a beard made someone a criminal—“and wore leather vests with no sleeves. I know kids these days like their tattoos.” She sniffed. It was obvious that Mrs. Butler did not like tattoos. “Their arms were covered with them.”
“And then what happened?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Topher’s truck careening down the residential street and stop in front of Raine’s. He climbed out and was jogging toward Royce and Mrs. Butler in seconds.
“They drove away.”
Royce felt his cheek twitch. “That’s all? They drove away?” Fucking hell, this was FUBAR. His only sister and the woman he knew he was falling in love with had willingly gotten in a minivan and been driven away, leaving their phones behind. Something had gone seriously wrong and he didn’t know what, but it must have something to do with Tia and the Spiders MC.
Topher came up the steps to loom behind him. Royce could feel his friend’s nervous energy coming off him in waves, but he still managed a pleasant greeting. “Mrs. Butler, it’s nice to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you as well, young man. I was just telling the sheriff how I’d seen the girls drive off in a van. Do you want the license plate number?”
Royce blinked. He’d been about to say goodbye and leave Mrs. Butler alone.
“Yes, ma’am. That would be very helpful.”
“I just had this feeling and since I’m the head of the neighborhood watch I thought it would be a good idea.”
“It was an excellent idea, Mrs. Butler,” Topher said from over his shoulder.
"You be sure to let me know about the girls, will you?”
They gathered in the King Security office. Royce didn’t give a crap about any protocol he might be breaking, Raine and Briar were missing—had been taken, he was sure.
Before he even sat down, Royce called an old Army buddy who was now a detective in Everett—he’d just have to owe Danny a favor.
“Royce King, what the hell are you calling me for? I heard you got yourself appointed sheriff, you in trouble already?”
Royce didn’t bother with small talk. “Serious time, Danny. I need a favor. Can you trace a plate for me? My sister and my”—he glanced around at the guys in the office. Caleb’s expression was sober but he winked at Royce, making the word choice easy—“girlfriend are missing. This plate is our only lead.”
“Damn, King. You started off with a bang. Give me a minute, I’ll call you back as soon as I have it.”