Page 22 of Veil of Silence

“He’s at work.”

“I’d like to talk to him.”

Her gaze returned to Austin. “Of course. I’ll give him the message.”

Austin followed Nora out of the small front room and through the kitchen.

Her mother glanced up from unloading the groceries but didn’t ask anything. Nora gave her a quick look that seemed to communicate later. Christian stood at the counter pouring himself a glass of water. His gaze followed Austin across the room, but he didn’t say anything.

Nora pushed open the back door, and cool air met them on the porch.

They had barely reached the steps when Austin’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office—the same agency he’d filed the missing person report with before leaving Knoxville.

His stomach tightened.

“Give me a second.” Austin moved away from Nora and answered. “Donnelly.”

“Mr. Donnelly, this is Deputy Harlan with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. I’m calling about the report you filed on your father.”

Austin stopped walking. “You found him?”

“We located his vehicle about twenty minutes ago—a silver Toyota Camry registered to Jeffrey Donnelly.”

“Where?”

“At a trailhead off Old Mill Road.”

Austin turned away from the house. “Was he with the car?”

“No, sir. The vehicle was unoccupied. It was also unlocked, and there were no signs of a struggle. We have deputies checking the immediate area.”

Austin’s grip tightened around the phone. “How long has the car been there?”

“That’s undetermined. A hiker called it in this morning and said he remembered seeing it yesterday evening. The engine’s cool to the touch as well.”

“My father was an FBI agent.” Austin forced his voice to remain even. “Have you secured the perimeter?”

“Affirmative,” Harlan said. “We’ve got it locked down. Only one deputy entered the vehicle to confirm the identification.”

“Good. I’m on my way. I’m probably thirty minutes out.”

Austin ended the call and stared at the screen. He tried not to jump to conclusions, but dread had already begun filling the empty spaces.

“Austin?” Nora stood several feet away, watching him carefully.

“They found my dad’s car in the Old Mill Road area.”

Her expression changed. “And your father?”

“He wasn’t with it.” Austin started toward his SUV.

Nora followed.

He glanced back at her and frowned. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going with you.”