Page 38 of Unfinished Noise

“I’ll send a patrol car to check the property,” Tom said. “If they’re there, I’ll make sure they call you.”

Spencer’s throat tightened. “Make them call us, Tom. Please.”

Tom’s voice shifted—less cop, more human. “I will. I promise.”

Spencer closed his eyes. He hated relying on this man. Hated that Tom still had any role in Jamie’s life. But right now, he needed him.

“Thanks,” Spencer muttered.

“Spencer,” Tom added, quieter now, “Jamie’s tougher than you think he is, but he’s scared of disappointing people. Don’t be angry when you talk to him.”

Spencer’s chest cracked open. “I’m not angry,” he said. “I’m terrified something happened to him.”

Tom said, “I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.”

The line clicked dead.

Spencer lowered the phone, breathing hard. Nathan watched him from the doorway, concern etched deep. That fucking bastard. Telling him not be angry at Jamie when he abandoned Jamie in the snow.

“Well?” Nathan asked.

“He’s sending someone to my home,” Spencer said. “If they’re there… we’ll know soon.”

Nathan nodded. “Good. That’s good.”

But Spencer didn’t feel good. He felt hollow, as if the world had tilted sideways. He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, phone clutched in both hands. “Come on, baby,” he whispered. “Call me.”

Each passing second seemed to stretch into an eternity. Nathan paced the room, Billy hovered in the doorway, and Farlan leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, trying to look calm but failing.

Spencer’s phone rang. He nearly dropped it in his rush to answer.

“Tom?” Spencer’s voice cracked.

Tom didn’t waste time. “I checked your home.”

Spencer’s heart stopped. “And?” he whispered.

“They’re not there.”

Spencer closed his eyes, breath catching in his throat. He felt the room tilt, as if the floor had dropped out from under him.

Tom continued, voice tight. “I sent a unit to Nathan’s place too. No sign of them. Lights off. No movement. No car in the driveway.”

Spencer shook his head at Nathan.

Nathan swore under his breath. “Shit.”

Spencer pressed a hand to his forehead, trying to breathe. “So, they’re… nowhere?”

“We’re still checking,” Tom said. “But right now? They’re not at either home.”

A coldness seeped into Spencer’s chest, making him shiver. “Okay. Thanks,” he said, though his voice sounded far away.

“I’ll keep looking,” Tom said. “If they show up anywhere, you’ll know immediately.”

The call ended.

Spencer stared at the phone as if it had betrayed him.