Page 37 of Unfinished Noise

The woman came back. “Sir? Yes, two passengers matching that description boarded a bus heading south.”

Spencer’s breath caught. “South? Towards where?”

“Towards Sacramento,” she said. “They transferred to another line. Final destination looks like Beverly Hills.”

Beverly Hills.

They went home like his note had said.

Spencer’s knees nearly gave out.

“Thank you,” he said, voice shaking. He hung up and looked at Nathan. “They’re going home like Jamie’s note said.”

Nathan exhaled. “Okay. That’s good. They’re safe.”

Safe. But alone. And hurting. And thinking Spencer didn’t want them there.

Spencer grabbed his bag. “We’re leaving. I don’t care about Fresno. I’m going to get Jamie.”

Chapter Fifteen

Spencer

Nathan hesitated, watching Spencer shove his jacket into his bag as if he were ready to sprint out of the hotel and run all the way home. “Spencer—”

“I’m not losing him,” Spencer said, voice low and fierce. His hands were shaking, but his resolve wasn’t.

Nathan exhaled. “Call Tom. He can do a well‑check on them.”

Spencer froze. “Tom?”

“Tell him to make them call us,” Nathan said. “We’ll tell them to meet us in Fresno.”

Spencer’s jaw clenched. “I hate calling Tom. Of all bastards.”

Nathan lifted a brow. “You said he redeemed himself by giving Jamie information about his brother?”

Spencer groaned. “Yeah, he did. Doesn’t mean I want to hear his voice.”

“Then call,” Nathan said, firm now. “Jamie and Alfie’s safety comes first.”

Spencer swallowed hard. He hated Nathan was right. He hated that the person he needed to call was the same man who dumped Jamie in the snow like trash. The same man Spencer had wanted to punch for months. The same man who still had a weird, lingering presence in Jamie’s life because of his badge.

But Jamie was missing. And Alfie was fragile. And Spencer’s heart felt like it was being squeezed in a fist. He hit Tom’s number. The phone rang once. Twice. Three times.

Then Tom answered, voice clipped and professional. “Chief Tom Mason speaking.”

Spencer’s stomach twisted. He hated that voice. Hated that Jamie used to love it.

“It’s Spencer,” he said, trying not to sound like he was about to break. “Jamie and Alfie left the hotel. They’re not answering their phones.”

A pause. Tom’s tone softened, barely. “What happened?”

“They left a note,” Spencer said, pacing the room. “Jamie said he didn’t want to interfere with our comeback. He took Alfie home. They’re not answering any calls. We think they took a bus.”

Tom exhaled sharply. “Jesus. Okay. Are you thinking they are on their way to Beverly Hills?”

“Home is where he said he was going in a note,” Spencer said.