Page 8 of Complicated Past
He took the paper from her with a slight grumble. “I’ll go get this knocked out and let you know if I learn anything at the dealership.”
FIVE
It hadn’t taken as long as he expected to get in for the drug test. From there, Linc went by the dealership and talked to several other service department employees. The males knew little about Bri other than that her clients loved her, and the female customers trusted her not to take advantage of them.
The receptionist was another younger female who sometimes ate lunch with Bri. She confirmed that Bri had gone to Acapulco, Mexico but she didn’t know the name of the resort or friend she’d gone with. Bri had told her co-worker that this friend had booked an all-inclusive trip with her boyfriend, but after the pair split, she invited Bri to go rather than lose the non-refundable booking.
He could understand Bri not telling him about the trip. It’s not like he was her keeper or father—as she often reminded him. Who was this friend, and was her plan to party in Mexico? He could think of a dozen stupid things Bri could be referring to, but were they related to Regina going MIA?
As he left the dealership, he decided to swing by his house to pick up clothes and continue to stay at Bri’s apartment. While he didn’t expect Regina to pop in like nothing had happened, itwould be better for Jalen to be in his space with his bed, toys, and therapy items until this situation was sorted out.
Though Bri had gotten clean early in her pregnancy, Jalen had some mild developmental delays. Kendra had been instrumental in getting Jalen into OT and Speech therapy, and then intervention daycare. He admired Bri’s dedication to doing various physical and speech exercises and working on her son’s cognitive abilities. It wasn’t easy, especially on her own, since whoever Jalen’s father was, he wasn’t in the picture. Unlike their mother, Bri had changed the trajectory of her life—for Jalen.
What’s going on, Bri?If she’d call and let him know what she needed, he’d be there. This time, he’d save her.
After Bri had been arrested, he’d ignored Regina’s mandate to stay out of his sister’s life. Someone needed to keep her from flaming out, and Regina had lost control. He’d gotten Bri in a detox program, then brought her to Fayetteville from Atlanta. It’d taken a chunk out of his savings, but he hadn’t regretted it with the turnaround she’d made.
He’d been with Regina several times for a holiday or Jalen’s birthday parties. While she barely acknowledged Linc, he’d witnessed her accept and love her great-grandson—despite him looking nearly identical to Linc. Apparently, Jalen beingher bloodmade a difference.
He needed to let it go. He’d survived. His experiences being in foster care toughened him. In the Army, he’d learned to protect himself and found a family forged by sweat, tears, and choice rather than blood. That didn’t mean Bri and Jalen weren’t his priorities, though.
His cell phone rang as he drove, and Kendra’s name popped up on the display. If she already had the drug test results, she knew they were clean. “I just left the dealership, and it looks like Bri did go to Mexico.”
“Clara just called. They found Regina’s car.”
A chill coursed through Linc. “Did they find her?”
“No. The car was in a grocery store lot overnight. The manager noticed it this morning and checked when they saw it was still there. They called it in when they saw a purse on the floor and found the car unlocked. Clara is on her way over. I thought you’d want to know.”
“Do you have the address?”
“It was in Westwood shopping center.”
“I’ll head over there now.”
“You don’t need to do that. She’ll update me.”
“I can help.” Despite his apathy for Regina, she was Bri and Jalen’s relative and Linc needed to be there. He calculated a new route and turned at the next intersection.
“Just let the police do their investigation,” Kendra continued.
“I did the drug test. Let me know if you need anything else.” He tapped to end the call. Kendra had no idea what he did in the military. And he refused to sit around doing nothing when his sister could be in trouble, and Jalen was affected.
Linc cruised into the lot and headed for the marked patrol car in the middle of an aisle behind a bright blue SUV with Georgia plates. He parked and headed over to where a redhead in a light blue button-down blouse and gray pants talked with a male patrol officer.
“Clara Andrews?” Linc asked.
The redhead turned and looked him over. “I’m Detective ClaraLowe.”
“Lincoln Porter.” He extended his hand. “I filed the report on Mrs. Feldman.” He stepped closer to the car. “Did you find anything inside the vehicle?”
“Her purse was still inside with her phone and wallet, as well as groceries. We’re going to have it towed for forensics to sweep. Do you know when Mrs. Feldman was last seen?”
“She dropped my nephew off at his school. That would have been around eight yesterday morning. She didn’t show up to pick him up, so my guess is she was here before five.”
“That’ll help us narrow down the timeline. We’ll get surveillance footage from the grocery and the surrounding stores in the strip mall to see if she left with someone or if the car was dumped here. That’ll take a while.”
“I can help review footage,” Linc offered.