“Four a.m.”
“Wonder if it’s too early to go see Maryn.”
Johnson chuckled. “You’re so whipped, dude.”
“I know.” Tucker grinned and jogged down the stairs.
An Audi sport utility squealed to a stop in front of him. Tucker took a step back. Johnson was immediately by his side. Beck popped out of the driver’s side door. “You’re out?”
“They just released me.”
“Oh, good. I was coming to see you, to tell you. I thought you’d still be in jail, but Johnson seemed pretty capable so I thought maybe he could help me.” He took a quick breath. “I’m not sure what to do, but I think Maryn’s in trouble. I called the police, but they didn’t think I had enough reason to report a crime. Still Alyssa and I both think something’s wrong. I woke my brother-in-law up and he’s working with some officers to see if we can get some help, but I think we need to go after her.”
Tucker stepped forward and grabbed the man’s arm. “Tell me.”
“I dropped her off and that James’ guy was there.”
Tucker’s stomach clenched.
“She said she was okay and Alyssa knows James so we thought it would be all right to leave. But Maryn told him she was going to bed and she would only talk to him for a few minutes. I heard her say that.”
Tuck nodded, wishing Beck would just spit this out and sick with the thought of Maryn being with James.
“After we got home, I just felt unsettled. James had said something about tracking Maryn through a find my friends app. I checked Alyssa’s phone and she had the app and had Maryn on it.”
“Okay.” Ice pricked down his spine. James had been tracking Maryn. That thought alone disturbed him. He really didn’t like that guy.
Beck thrust the phone out to him. Maryn’s dot was to the west, right by the ocean.
“She’s on a dock out on Long Beach?” Tuck asked.
“You think that James’ guy took her somewhere?” Johnson asked. “Would she go willingly with him?”
“I don’t think so,” Beck said. “She was worried sick about Tucker. Alyssa and I barely talked her into going home to get a few hours rest. I just don’t see her taking off for some dock in the middle of the night.”
“Especially with James,” Tucker muttered.
“You driving?” Johnson asked Beck.
“Sure.” Beck gestured to the sport utility. Johnson jumped in the back and Tucker ran around to the passenger side.
Beck thrust the phone into Tuck’s hands. “Navigate for me.” He accelerated out of the parking lot.
“At least she still has her phone,” Johnson said.
Beck glanced over his shoulder at Johnson. “For sure. I asked her about that when James said he was tracking her. She didn’t have a purse or any… pockets on her dress.”
Tuck looked at him sharply. “Where was her phone?”
“She said she had it. I assume in her bra?”
Tuck’s gut tightened. Nobody better find that phone. “Did you try to call her?”
“Yes. She didn’t answer.”
“Let’s not try again, in case it does ring and James finds it.”
“Do you really think it’s James?” Johnson asked.