Gone Before Goodbye (Love &Mystery in the--6-oh-3 Book 1) Read Online Free

unreasonable. Seth went to All Saints on a sports scholarship and was a star for a couple of years until he suffered two broken legs. He used to ump for a few teams in Hawick, until he got into too many arguments. 
    “So the uncle’s a fun guy. His nephew may have inherited his temper. What’s the story on friends who’d hide Lisa if she ran?” The chance of finding her safe was better if she’d taken off on her own.
    “She’s been in nine foster homes since she was two, and she ages out of the system on her birthday next month. Lisa left a trail of disruptive behavior in her past placements.”
    “You mean no one put a candle in the window for her.”
    “Sophia and Teagan Raynes were the girl’s last stop.”
    “A girl with poor impulse control and judgment would be easy prey for the wrong person, and not a happy ending.”
    “I requested a clearer picture of Grant.” The chief seized another section of the Hawick Falls Citizen from under a stack of folders and dropped it on top of the desk.
    The article on the plane had omitted Lisa’s image. Noah stared at the fuzzy photo of a slim teen. A pixie-sized woman with long hair reaching past her shoulders stood beside Lisa. Raynes looked young for a guardian. Raynes. The name and face were familiar. Curious, he brought the picture closer.
    “When I asked if you’re ready to work, Cassidy…well, your family will always be missed.”
    The chief’s admission left Noah speechless. His boss always lectured the men, “When it’s personal, keep it at home.”
    Had the chief expressed sympathy when June and Kimmy died? His wife had supported his every decision. Many labeled her traditional, but June was proud to be Mrs. Noah Cassidy from the moment they married. His daughter had been the sunshine in his life with her smiles and giggles.
    Noah searched his memory and recalled days buried in a haze after their deaths. The chief’s calls and visits had seemed focused on when Noah would return to work. Was his boss acting like a normal human being now?
    “Hines is at All Saints High School interviewing Lisa’s teachers.” The chief chucked the rest of the paper into his circular file by his desk. “I need you to go to Miss Raynes’ house before you join him. Her address is listed in the report. Ten minutes ago, she called in that she’d received a death threat. She sounded flustered and upset. I sent the patrol over on a welfare check, and they’ve reported she’s safe and secure. You will need to document today’s evidence.”
    Noah checked Miss Raynes’ residence. Eighty-six High Street was located in the village section of Hawick Falls and three blocks from the small, popular neighborhood grocery. People joked, if you’re lonely drop into Muffy Mart and you’ll meet someone you know.
    “I planned to head to High Street,” the chief said, “but we had a collision on Purgatory Road involving an oil truck. I’m going to the accident to inform the EPA that none of the fuel leaked into the ground. These rules tie up our manpower.” The chief tapped his fingers and frowned. “Fish and Game will drag the Bearclaw River, and the staties and volunteers will comb the footpaths in the southeast parts of the city today. We’ve managed for a Guard helicopter to fly over the rougher terrain.”
    One hundred twenty-two miles of trails stretched through the Appalachian White
    Mountains. Unexpected weather often stranded experienced hikers. The teen’s chances of survival were reduced if she’d chosen to walk her way through the nearby mountains unprepared. He turned to leave.
    “Oh, Noah, one more thing. Father Matt Hastings, a family friend, will be with Miss
    Raynes, too.”
    Noah swung around to the chief. “Mercy, a priest is coming?”
    The chief narrowed his eyes at him, but Noah didn’t bother to apologize for the hostility in his voice. He’d never kept it a secret from his boss how his father, once an altar boy, had been messed up by his parish