Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Then they filled me in on what’s been going down since I left town. With help from a source within the FBI they were able to push through a warrant for the dating app this afternoon. A warrant which gave them access to retrieve the information about who Carly was talking to and allowed them to monitor everyone who might have visited her profile while she was using the app and those who have clicked on it since her body was found.
After receiving the warrant, their first order of business was to find Matthew, which they did within just a couple hours. And what they found is that he had not been active on the site since Carly’s disappearance. And after some digging, they got in contact with his job and a family member who both brought up the fact that he has been missing since around the time Carly quit her job, and that a missing person’s report was filed. Only since he actually lived and worked in Kentucky, not in Nashville, no one even had him on their radar here in the city.
So, with two missing people, Tucker started digging deeper into Carly’s account this evening hoping to find some kind of lead. That’s when he noticed a ping on her profile from someone who recently signed up for the app. And when he dug into who it was, he found that the new person was Willow, and of course the woman used her real name along with her photo, so they were easily able to verify it was her. And since he was at home with Naomie when he called to inform Miles of the situation she overheard and was all too happy to share that news with me this evening.
“Like I said earlier, unlike what my wife said,” Tucker spits out the word wife like it taste bad, “we never said we weren’t going to tell you about her being on the app. We were waiting to do it face-to-face so we could reassure you that you have nothing to worry about.”
“What she’s doing is harmless,” Miles adds, then lifts his hands in front of him when my eyes narrow. “I get why you’re pissed, but she’s only been looking through the photos of men named Matthew on the site. She hasn’t made contact with any of them.” His tone softens. “She wanted to help, and if by chance she had come across Matthew’s photo twenty-four hours ago she would have been.”
In my gut, I know he’s right, just like I know Willow was telling the truth, that if she did come across Matthew, she would have given that information over to Tucker and Miles and probably her dad. Still, the idea of her being in danger of any kind is something I can’t even stomach. Tonight, when we were on the phone and she screamed, I thought my world was coming to an end. I swear I actually saw the life I could have had slip right through my fingers.
“Just talk to her,” Tucker says.
My jaw clenches.
“She’ll understand why you were pissed,” Miles assures.
I almost laugh. Before I locked her in my room, she might have been willing to hear me out. Now I’ll be lucky if she hasn’t created some kind of weapon to kill me with as soon as I open the door.
“Do you want us to come with you? We can explain what we know about Matthew and assure her that we are looking for him.
“No, stay here. I’d rather not spend the rest of the night in jail.”
“Why would you be going to jail?” Tucker asks, going on alert.
“She tried to leave me.”
“And?” Miles asks, staring me down.
“I locked her in my room.”
“Jesus, Clay,” Tucker bites out.
I shrug. “It seemed like the best place to keep her safe while I dealt with the two of you.”
“You’ve lost your mind.” Miles shakes his head, then his expression becomes serious. “She’s changed you.”
“She has.” I don’t bother trying to deny it.
“Are you done helping us?” Tucker asks.
I drag in a breath, and I look between my brothers before I answer honestly.
“I don’t know that I’ll ever stop searching for the person who led Arya down the path she took, but the desire to hold others just like them accountable no longer consumes me.”
“Good.” Miles says and my head jerks back. “I’m happy for you, happy that you found something more important to focus on.”
I look at Tucker.
“I’d never ask you to put your past in front of your future.”
“Shit Dayton would be so fucking proud of us right now.” Miles mutters and I bite back a smile while Tucker chuckles.
“I better get back upstairs.”
“Maybe we should go up with you to make sure Willow doesn’t kill you.” Tucker says and I shake my head.