“Not this.”
“Hang in there. I’m glad you’re at least going to a populated place Saturday. Please stay in touch. If I hear anything else coming out of Sojourn, I’ll let you know. If you find out anything, call me.”
“I will. I’m going to sleep now. I’m almost asleep standing up.”
“Go, baby. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Chapter Sixteen
Zach got home late. It was after ten. He hadn’t spoken to Laurie for hours, but he assumed she was sleeping. She’d been so tired lately. The stress of the last week had worn on her.
The house was dark. He knew instantly she wasn’t in the condo. Her scent was there. It lingered, but she hadn’t been present for hours.
He set his keys on the counter and opened the fridge to grab a beer, reaching out to Corbin through his mind.
“Hey. Sorry. Been a crazy day. I’m still at the precinct. You home?”
“Yes. Is Laurie with you?”
“No. She isn’t at the condo?”
“No. And she hasn’t been for a while.”
“She’s probably with Melinda then. I drove by the geyser a while ago. Her car was gone. She probably picked it up and went to see her grandmother, Melinda, or both.”
Zach lowered his body into a chair. “I’m sure you’re right. I’ll call Melinda.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket as he ended the connection with Corbin.
No answer.
He thought about Mimi, but he didn’t have her number. Too bad he couldn’t connect with either of them telepathically like Laurie. That was a cool development.
He called Trace next.
His brother answered on the first ring. “Hey. Have you seen Laurie?”
“Not today. She’s probably with Melinda.”
“I can’t reach Melinda either. She’s not answering.”
Trace chuckled. “The woman hardly ever hears her phone. I wouldn’t worry. Melinda went over to Mimi’s. I’m sure Laurie’s with her. When those women get together, I stay as far away as possible. They talk over each other to the point that I have no idea how they even hear the others speak.” He chuckled.
“I’m sure you’re right. I’ll grab something to eat and try to reach her again later.” If Laurie was with her grandmother and her sister, she could easily have blocked out anything else.
It was getting late though…
And it wasn’t like her to not touch base. Maybe she fell asleep at Mimi’s. That was also a possibility.
He closed his eyes and tried her again. “Baby? You okay?”
Nothing.
It was late. He was also tired. He relaxed into the cushions, intending to take a quick nap.
»»•««
Corbin entered the house much later. It was after midnight. He tiptoed into the condo, immediately stopping when he realized Zach was asleep in the armchair and not in the bed.
“Zach?”
Zach jerked awake. “Jeez. What time is it?”
“Late. Where’s Laurie?”
“Shit.” Zach stood. “I’ve never spoken to her.”
“Seriously?” Corbin dropped his bag on the floor and rounded the couch. “You’ve never spoken to her?”
“No.” Zach leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
Corbin knew he was reaching out to her. He did the same. “Laurie. Babe. Talk to me. Where are you?”
Nothing.
Insane.
Totally not possible.
He freaked out. “Where is she?”
“Undoubtedly with Mimi. Who, by the way, doesn’t have a phone.”
“But she wouldn’t go this long without communicating. When did you last speak to her?”
“Before I left for work. This morning.”
“Fuck.” Corbin ran a hand through his hair. “That makes no sense.”
“You’re right.”
“And Melinda?”
“I called Trace. She wasn’t home. He thought she was with Mimi. Which means there’s a good chance Laurie was there too.”
“But it’s been like fifteen hours.”
“I hear ya.” Zach paced the room next to Corbin.
Corbin didn’t have the foggiest idea what to do. He flopped onto the couch. “Please tell me you have beer.”
“Of course.” Zach stepped into the kitchen, grabbed two from the fridge, and tossed one to Corbin.
They both took a long swig and then stared at each other.
Corbin blinked. “I don’t know what to do.”
“We could drive to Mimi’s, but it’s the middle of the night.”
“God.” He stood still, trying to think. “She has to be sleeping, right?”
“Yes. Let’s assume she’s sleeping and fell asleep without contacting us by accident. She had to be dead tired.”