Page 122 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Rourke nodded. “That was my fear then.”

Sabre stood first. “We’ll check it out.”

Rourke rose with her. “I meant what I said. I’ll help however I can.”

She gave a professional nod. “We appreciate the lead.”

“I hope you find her. I mean that more than anything I’ve said here today. That little girl deserved a life, not to be frozen in everybody else’s worst day. There hasn’t been a day since she disappeared that I haven’t thought about that child and what may have become of her.” His voice roughened. “She was just a little girl. Whatever was done to her, whatever years were taken from her… none of it was hers to carry. If she’s still out there, I pray she’s known some kindness and love.”

“I know you were as invested in this as I was,” Sabre said.

Rourke held her gaze a second too long. “Good seeing you, Sabre, and you too, Torn.”

JP stepped beside her, easy as ever. “Likewise,” he said pleasantly. “And thank you for the info.”

They walked to the truck. Sabre waited until they were inside before speaking. “Well?”

JP started the engine. “He was helpful.”

“And?”

JP pulled out into traffic. “He hugs a little too long.”

Chapter 46

Thursday afternoon

JP eased the truck into a visitor parking space outside the Oceanside apartment complex and shut off the engine. The place looked ordinary. It consisted of two-story stucco buildings wrapped around a small swimming pool where half a dozen children splashed while their parents occupied shaded lounge chairs.

He unfolded the sheet Rourke had given him. The address was correct.

JP started with the leasing office. A young woman behind the counter smiled politely.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm looking for records from about eight years ago."

Her smile disappeared. "I've only been here two."

"The previous management company?"

"They sold the property."

"Do you know who has the old files?"

She shook her head.

"I don't even know who managed it before."

JP thanked the young woman behind the counter and walked back outside.

Everything she said matched with what he had already discovered and what Rourke had as well. JP had found the current owner's information through county records and followed that trail. The ownership company still existed. The management company didn't. A receptionist at county records located an archived file and informed him that anything older than seven years had been destroyed.

According to Rourke’s notes, the woman who had reported seeing Hannah lived across the street.

JP knocked on the door. A young couple came to the door together.

"We bought this place six years ago,” the man said.