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Chapter 6
Garrett and Monroesat in Ryker’s living room, watching him pace. “Don’t wait to make the call. You know how these things are. You must be proactive, and can’t be alone while we are looking for her, so you always have an alibi. You were always on the screen, so you obviously didn’t take her or hurt her.”
“Shit. You’re right. I need to stay above suspicion so I can find her.”
Monroe added. “One of us will stay with you. Now make the call.”
Monroe and Garrett encouraged him not to wait for the reasonable time to report her missing. Making that call was the hardest thing he had ever done. His insides were being torn apart, and he was helpless for the first time in longer than he could remember.
Ryker’s heart pounded as he gripped his phone, calling the police to report Oakley missing. His voice nearly broke at one point before he took a deep breath and continued. But the officer who answered sounded unconcerned.
“I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation. She probably just had a change of plans and forgot to call you.”
“No,” Ryker insisted. “That’s not like her. She would never do that.” But the officer didn’t seem to believe him.
As the call ended, Ryker ran a hand through his hair, panic and frustration churning inside him. He had to find Oakley. He couldn’t lose her, not now, not when they’d just committed to building a future together.
Then Sharlee called, shattering his slowly decomposing thoughts, and asked for a video meeting, and he realized he wasn’t helpless. Help he had. Direction is what they needed.
“Let’s do it.”
Immediately, Becky came online, bringing in each team member individually, until the screen was lined with smaller snapshots of his friends and their significant others. Nearly everyone was there.
“I appreciate this, guys. I hope I’ve overreacted,” said Ryker.
Jac nodded. “I’d have been pissed if you hadn’t called. This is what friendship is all about, and in this room are men and women who are family of the closest kind. And,” he smiled, “we’ve got skills.”
Ryker was so glad they did. He could physically get through the mess, but Jac and company had equipment that made it more efficient and, occasionally, fun. This was serious, though. Fun would come after he had his Oakley safely at home.
“Police said they can’t do anything for forty-eight to seventy-two hours. They said she is competent and don’t deem her a risk. They expect her back at work Monday morning. According to them, she’s not going to just take off.”
“Which means this is serious,” said Ryker, stopping his pacing to speak.
“They believe since she has a practice, she’ll be back Monday. The marine I often work with on the force gave me some things to eliminate over the weekend if she doesn’t return. It will get them further down the road if they do deem her missing. I can call back on Monday if she isn’t back then, and her car isn’t moved.”
Becky nodded. “What are they?”
“Well, checking everyone she knows or would come in contact with. So I called her parents, and they haven’t seen or heard from her since the normal call on Sunday.”
“Right,” said Sharlee. “What else?”
“Checked with Bella, who says she hasn’t talked to her in a few days and has not seen her since coming here last weekend.”
Monroe leaned forward and took the center screen next. “So we need a plan. Sharlee, I know Ryker doesn’t know her complete name, but Oakley has an office manager/receptionist with the first name of Shandra. We have to talk to her. Then there is the trace that Kaden could do of her cell before they turned it off or it died. Get us the map of that area.”
Mark added. “We also need to tap into the cameras in that building and the parking area.”
Jac came on screen. “Carter, will you and Levi check out the garage and building? See what there is that we might have missed. Add cams wherever you can see we need one. Her office for sure, and her car will need one.”
Carter nodded. “We got that.”
Jac paused before continuing. “Kaden, you’re on IT with Charlotte. Let’s see if Oakley’s bank card or any of her cards have been accessed. Then, we can trace the time and approximate leads through the city. We have CCTV, but we aren’t wired like London, so it might not be as helpful if she leaves town. Becky is info central. She’ll compile and distribute information as it comes in. Questions?”
Garrett nodded. “I’m sticking with Ryker, I guess. Monroe is returning to you to begin strategizing the information we have now and later get.”
“Good,” said Jac. “Stay at Ryker’s house, and we will put surveillance on Oakley’s place. She’s one of ours now, and we will bring her home.”
“Thanks, everyone.” Ryker’s voice was sorrowful but determined.
