Backing away from it I take my phone out of my pocket and dial nine one one.

_______________

STANDING ON THE curb outside of Carly’s apartment with my arms wrapped around my middle, I listen to the two officers who showed up as they talk quietly a few feet away.

From the moment they showed up they have made it seem like I’m overreacting, that it’s totally normal for a woman to just disappear and leave her life behind. Neither of them have acknowledged that something is amiss, and honestly, they have seemed more concerned with how I got into Carly’s house without her permission than her being gone. If my dad weren’t in Alaska, I would call him and ask for his advice, but he doesn’t even have cell service where he is right now, so I’m on my own, and now I’m not even sure that I won’t be arrested.

When headlights land on me, I turn and watch a large, black SUV pull up and relief hits me hard when I see Miles in the passenger seat with Tucker behind the wheel. As they park, I let my arms fall to my sides and wait for them to get out.

“Willow,” Miles calls when he opens his door.

I swallow as he walks to where I’m standing.

“What happened?”

“Carly’s missing. She emailed and said that her dad passed away, but her dad died like forever ago. Then today, she quit, and I’ve tried calling her like a million times, but she never answered.” I ramble not sure that I’m even making sense. “Something isn’t right. I knew something wasn’t right, so I came over here to—” I shake my head. “I don’t know. Then I remembered she had a key in one of those rock things.” I pull the plastic rock out of my pocket to show him. “So, I let myself into her place and her purse is in there along with her wallet and her keys.” My throat gets tight.

“Take a breath for me,” he says gently as he takes my arm and pulls me away from where the officers are standing, and Tucker comes over to join us after hanging up on a call. “Okay, now who is Carly?”

“We work together at the bank.” I dig my nails into my palms. “She moved here a few months ago from Florida.”

“All right and you said her dad passed away?”

I shake my head no, but then nod yes. “Yes, she said she was taking a few days off because her dad died, and she was going to be with her family.”

“But you don’t think that’s the truth?” Tucker asks and I meet his gaze.

“No, she told me once that her dad passed away when she was a teenager and her mom never got remarried.” I shake my head. “We’re not the closest of friends, so I don’t know if she considered someone else her dad or something but—”

“It’s okay. Breathe.” Tucker rubs my arm.