Page 67 of Like You Know
“It’s not that simple.” He gave me a pitying look.
“Don’t patronize me,” I snapped. “You may be seven years older than you pretended to be, but that doesn’t makemea child, nor does it make me stupid. I know none of this is fucking simple. And I don’t care. Do you get that? They have my mom! What are you doing to find her?”
He didn’t rise to my ire, keeping a cool expression and replying in a calm tone. “We have a pretty clear picture of one of the men’s faces from a security camera. We’re trying to identify him. We’re also planning to interview some people.”
“Like who?”
“The police officer who was shot, once his doctors permit it. He may have seen something I didn’t catch. We’re also trying to get in touch with people who were at the party, but it’s proving difficult.”
“Yeah, I bet it is.” Of course Raine and anyone associated with BestLyf would be dodging the police. Bunch of brainwashed assholes.
“We’d also like to speak to the two women your mother spoke to just before she was attacked. Do you happen to know who they are?”
“Yes.” I nodded and grabbed my phone. I knew those two bitches all right. I gave him their names and phone numbers, but I didn’t know where they lived.
“Thank you. This is helpful.” He focused on his phone for a while, probably sending all the information to whoever would look into it.
“Why aren’t you guys busting down their doors?” I asked quietly, spinning my phone on the tabletop. “They kidnapped a woman. Isn’t that enough?”
Jet sat back in his chair heavily and rubbed his face. “I wish it was.”
I scoffed. I wanted to argue more, rage at him, but I knew it wouldn’t get me anywhere. I felt utterly defeated.
“Is that all, detective?” I wanted to be alone for a while longer before heading next door.
“Officially—”
I cut him off by pushing my chair back, then collected our plates and headed inside. He followed me.
“I don’t want to talk to you about anything else,” I said, not looking at him as I dumped the plates in the sink. “If you have any more information about my mother’s kidnapping or if I can help in any way, please send someone. You know where the door is.”
“Fine then.” I could hear the edge of frustration in his reply. “Strictly professionally then, I’m not leaving.”
I spun to face him. “What?”
“I spent half the night convincing my superiors that you needed to be under protection. I couldn’t convince them to approve a safe house, but they conceded to having an officer with you for the next few days—at least until we know more.”
“OK, then have them send an officer to the Meads’ place. I’ll be staying there for a while.”
“I volunteered for the assignment.”
I groaned. Of course he did.
I contemplated going to the Meads’ anyway and making him sit out in his car, but I didn’t want to bring this bullshit to their door. The drama with Jet was irritating, but if an argument really could be made that I needed armed protection, that was a whole other ball game. I couldn’t go if there was a chance of danger following me.
Glaring at Jet, I called Donna.
“Hey, girl!” she answered on the second ring. “Was starting to think you’d drowned in that bath. You heading over?”
“Hey. Actually, I’m going to stay home.” I gave her a rundown of the situation. Naturally, she still insisted I come stay with them. Then Harlow got on the phone and tried to do the same. Even Emily interjected, taking the phone from her daughter to speak to me. She demanded I put Jet on, and he answered multiple questions politely and professionally. He even recited his badge number.
I had to turn away to hide the smile that brought to my lips. It was nice to have someone looking out for me.
After we hung up, I went back to my room and back to ignoring Jet.
Not even half an hour had gone by when the doorbell rang, immediately putting me on edge. Poking my head out of my bedroom, I was grudgingly thankful to see Jet going to the door with his hand hovering over the gun at his hip.
But it was just Emily Mead. I took a moment to tuck the emotion and amusement away before heading down.