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of college and majored in criminal justice. She joined the police force, then made detective. Had an exemplary record. Then six years ago, she took a leave of absence and never went back. Last year she was hired by Operation Refuge.”
    “Where was she during the LOA?”
    “No idea. It’s like she dropped off the face of the earth. No credit card activity during that time, nothing. She resurfaced when she took the job with Operation Refuge.”
    “Why did she take the LOA?” Elizabeth scanned the area, her mind spinning, creating scenario after scenario of how they’d slipped through their fingers.
    “Her partner was killed,” Sam said.
    “Oh no. That’s awful.”
    “He died on a Thursday night and she walked away after his funeral on Saturday afternoon. His death wasn’t her fault, but apparently she blames herself.”
    “Of course she does.” Elizabeth shot him a black look. “Any good partner would.”
    He snorted. “Well, she shouldn’t blame herself for this one. It’s so cliché it makes me sick. Her partner walked into a convenience store sometime after midnight. Two guys come in with shotguns and blow everyone away. They got two hundred bucks and some change.”
    “That’s terrible.” She frowned. “But why blame herself?”
    “No one seems to know the answer to that one. They were off duty, she was home in bed . . .” He shrugged.
    “Was there something more than just being partners?”
    “You mean a romance thing?”
    Elizabeth shrugged. “It happens.”
    “Agreed.”
    “So why did she blame herself? Survivor’s guilt?”
    “Probably.”
    “Did they catch the guys?”
    “Yes. After they killed two more people. They’re doing life.”
    She winced. “So how did she get involved with Ian Lockwood?”
    He checked his phone. “According to the information that came in about thirty minutes ago, they went to high school together and were good friends.”
    “Did Lockwood call her when he found himself a person of interest in this case?”
    “Phone records don’t indicate that he called her. It looks like she tried to call him, but the call lasted only for a couple of seconds.”
    “Like when it goes to voice mail and you hang up without leaving a message. Then how did they hook up?”
    He shrugged. “I can speculate, but that’s all it is.” He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t really care. If Lockwood’s guilty—and it sure looks like he is—and she’s helping him run from us, I’m going to bring them both down. No matter what I have to do to make that happen.”

    GREENVILLE, SC
    David Hackett hung up with a low growl. His wife, Summer, looked up at him. She placed the knife she’d been using to slice an apple on the kitchen counter. She turned the faucet on to wash her hands. “Nothing?”
    “Not a word. Jackie’s cell phone goes straight to voice mail. Adam’s at her house now. I’m just waiting for him to call me.”
    Adam Buchanan, another Operation Refuge operative. Summer pursed her lips and kept one ear tuned to the baby monitor. Two-year-old Riley had been coughing and sniffling all day and Summer thought she might be coming down with something.
    The phone rang and David snatched it.
    “Put it on speaker, please,” Summer said.
    He did.
    Adam’s deep voice came over the line. “Her apartment’s been torn apart. Her car isn’t here. There’s no sign of her. I’m worried.”
    David frowned and glanced at Summer. “All right. What about the cops?”
    “The cops just pulled up so this isn’t their work. I didn’t think it was when I saw it. This looks like someone was looking for something—and they didn’t find it.”
    “Keep an eye on the place for tonight. Just in case she decides to come back for some reason.”
    “Will do.”
    Summer stepped behind David and massaged his shoulders. He let out a low groan and dropped his forehead into his hands.
    “She’ll call,” Summer said.
    “Not if she can’t.” He stopped and thought about that.