“Holy shit, Becca, the kids and I went to church and when I got out, I turned my phone on and got your message, and the missing persons bulletin. I’m sure Ash is just embarrassed about yesterday and acting out. We’ll find her. I’m on my way to your place right now,” Nina said without taking a single breath.

“Actually, I’m already out looking for her. My parents are at the house if you want to head over.”

“Your mother’s there? Glad I brought my Taser,” Nina said. If Becca weren’t so worried, she would have laughed.

“Why don’t I meet you? You shouldn’t be alone,” Nina said.

Becca braced herself for Nina’s reaction. “I’m not alone. I’m with… I’m here with Christian,” Becca said.

“You’re fucking joking. That’s a joke, right?”

She could sense Christian eyeing her. “Nina, you didn’t answer. I needed someone I trusted to file a missing persons report and look for Ash without any bullshit bureaucratic rules and regulations,” Becca said.

“Makes sense. I’ll focus on the big picture, and once you find Ash and bring her home, we really have to discuss your decision-making skills,” Nina said. Becca understood Nina’s dislike for Christian. Once he broke Becca’s heart, he became persona non grata. On more than one occasion, she suggested to Becca that, if she wanted to, they could plan the perfect murder. Becca wasn’t entirely sure Nina was joking.

“I appreciate that. Will you let Elena know I’m going to be out of the office for a few days,” she said, refusing to worry about work and her high-maintenance boss. Even if Becca found Ash today, she would need time off to figure out why Ash felt the need to run and deal with all the fallout from that decision.

“I’ll handle the old nag. Just focus on Ash. Whatever you do, don’t take any shit from that man. And tell him if he fucks things up, he’s going to have to answer to me.”

Becca ended the call. “I assume Nina is thrilled to hear I’m on the case?” Christian said wryly.

“Ecstatic. Over the moon. Couldn’t be happier. Thinks I’m in excellent hands.”

“That’s what they call overkill,” Christian said. “Hey, I may be a cheater, but even Nina knows I’m a good cop.”

Becca held her tongue. The last thing she wanted right now was to rehash Christian’s infidelity. It didn’t matter that he swore nothing had happened. It took Becca months and months to stop reliving the awful moment when she’d logged onto his computer and saw the stream of text messages and sexy pictures. A trainer at Gold’s Gym for God’s sake. He’d turned them both into a goddamn cliché.