“Sullivan’s daughter wasn’t home when he got home last night.”
“He can’t locate her?”
“Police think she ran away and will show up. But he’s a wealthy guy.” That’s all I need to say to Trevor.
“He hired Arrow?” The unstated question in his skepticism iswhy.
“If she’s a runaway, he wants discretion. And he wants to find her as quickly as possible.”
I pull my backpack over my shoulder and head to the door. Trevor follows, talking to my back.
“If she’s a runaway, is this the case for us?”
Trevor’s insightful question weighs like a stone.
Trevor and I both came from less-than-ideal home lives. I headed straight to the Naval Academy. He signed up for the Navy on the day he turned seventeen. We both understand wanting to get out of a bad situation. We are under no delusion that home is the best place for all teenagers.
His question underlines the questions that have been running through my mind since Jack Sullivan left our offices. Was Jack dating someone Sophia didn’t like? Did he bring women home regularly? Was he a crap dad? Abusive? What, exactly, would she be running away from? Or was she running to something, something like perceived freedom, maybe drugs, alcohol, or a lover?
Trevor doesn’t want us expending resources if Arrow isn’t the best solution. Typically, we protect people. Our fledgling security company has never taken on a case like this. But we know how to locate people. We have a successful track record locating adults with much more skill than a teen.
“If it was your daughter, or son, I’d help you.”
Trevor doesn’t have any biological kids of his own, but his heart adopted Stella’s son. He gives a slow nod. “Roger that. I’ve got your six. Let me know what you need.”
Trevor doesn’t need to tell me he’s got my six. He’ll always have my back, and I’ll always have his.
My steps echo through the concrete stairwell, and my thoughts return to Syria. It would be nice to be able to send additional resources without thinking twice. With a solid investment base, we could do that. Someone like Jack Sullivan is the kind of man who would gladly invest in a company like ours. We hire veterans, and we do good work. It’s something I might talk to him about—after we locate his daughter. That’s assuming he’s still the good guy I remember and not some twisted fuck who gave his daughter a reason to run.
Traffic is light, and twenty minutes later, I pace the sidewalk in front of my helicopter. It’s a clear day with winds out of the southwest. The flight path to San Diego is one I fly frequently. The helicopter is prepped and ready to go. So am I.
This trip could be a waste of time. But I keep thinking about our meeting. Sullivan entered the room as a consummate professional, a leader of a multinational corporation. In under twenty minutes, his guarded veneer cracked. He’s scared. Potentially desperate. Given the local PD offered little support, I can’t blame Sullivan for seeking alternative options. It’s an instinct honed by the Navy. If one option fails, you find another. You find a way.
I flick my wrist, checking the time. I scan the parking lot and the road leading up to the helipad. I exhale. Dr. Rolfe said she would be here. Jack doesn’t need her. The woman is a criminal profiler.
A family friend. Right. A likely story for a young woman who could grace a runway. He pleaded with her, but I still am not sure I understand why. If it hadn’t been important to him, I would have never agreed to cart her to San Diego.
She knows Sophia. Does she know Sophia better than her own father? Jack’s wife died. Sophia’s mother. Is Dr. Rolfe a mother figure? She’s young. Is she more of an older sister? I remember Jack telling me about the woman he was going to marry.
It had been right before the Naval Academy graduation. Some of our classmates were headed out, and I waved them off, planning to get some extra time on the weights. Sullivan’s class was graduating, but I still had a couple of years ahead of me. He fell into step beside me.
“You not going out tonight?” I asked. We didn't leave the premises often, so most of the cadets high-tailed it out when allowed.
“Nah. My girl can’t make it up. I’m headed back to call her.”
“Phone date?”
“Yep. I’ll take whatever I can get. You got someone?”
It wasn’t a particularly surprising question, given I stayed behind. There were websites dedicated to how hard it was to have a relationship at the Naval Academy. To not go out when given the chance meant I wasn’t even trying.
“No. No point.” And I’d meant it. My plans aimed high. I wanted missions. Relationships weren’t on my radar.
“You say that. But when you meet the one, you’ll feel differently. Trust me. Cassie changed my world.” He smiled. I had the sense he’d say more, but the path split. “Hang tight, Wolfman. You ever need me, call.”
I never called. Also never found someone to change my world. But I sure as hell planned to be there for Sullivan when he called me.
His daughter could have run for any number of reasons. The reason didn’t matter. He wants to find her. He wants her safe at home.