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

stretching forever above them, but she barely noticed or breathed. Noah Cassidy sat less than a foot from her.
    Now he moved impatiently, and she stuffed the scene back into her teenage memories. Although he seemed calm, his gaze roamed over her neighborhood as though he was taking in everything around him or ready to take down a suspect. He tapped his index finger against his thigh.
    Yes. Noah Cassidy was a man of action. She would have chosen him from a lineup to search for Lisa. At Mighty Joe, his sense of humor and ability to push his campers to do their best while having fun made him a favorite counselor.
    “Mighty Joe was a popular camp.” He stared at her like he was searching through faces and names in his minds.
    Of course, he wouldn’t recognize her. She’d attended Mighty Joe fifteen years ago. She was eleven. Aunt Sophia thought weeks spent in the outdoors would be character building. Teagan did her best to win the camper of the month award and not disappoint her.
    “You might know me by my camp nickname, Munchkin.” She wrinkled her nose over the moniker.
    “Thanks for the reminder, but I’ll stick with Miss Raynes, and I remember you.” He flashed his badge. “But I’m not a counselor anymore. I’m a detective on the Hawick Falls Police Force.”
    She must be very memorable by the way he changed the subject, but her conscience reminded her he was here to find Lisa and that was important.
    “Please, call me Teagan or I’ll feel like I’m in the classroom.”
    “All right, Teagan. I’m following up on the threat you received.”
    “Two officers came earlier about it. Is the chief sending everyone and anyone? I mean, we need consistency. Lisa is missing, and I get a warning in the mail. We’re not trying to get a cat out of the tree.”
    “Everyone who works the investigation shares information. Don’t worry. We’re a team, pulling to bring Lisa home and keep you safe.”
    Lisa home. She averted her face while struggling with a lump in her throat. After a second, she swallowed and regained control. “If you could wait a few minutes for Father Matt, I’d appreciate it. He’s like a member of my family.” She swept a gaze up and down the block lined with maple trees and orange daylilies. Nowhere did she spot Matt’s ten-year-old Suburban rattling on the road. “I guess he’s running late. He had to meet with an engaged couple before they went to work.”
    Detective Cassidy crowded closer, and set off Teagan’s alertness to him.
    “Mind if I come inside instead of talking on your front porch?” He inclined his head toward the hall.
    “Sure.” She was rambling about Matt, but if he didn’t arrive soon, she’d have to face the death threat discussion without his support. She shuffled back a step as Noah entered the hallway.
    “Is the bow on the tree for Lisa?”
    “Yes. I wanted to share a reminder that she’s still missing.”
    A meow brought Teagan’s attention to her pet. The black cat sat at the detective’s feet.
    “Is your pet okay?”
    “That’s Jogger. She was a stray and lost part of her ears to frostbite. That’s why she appears a little strange. She used to wander out of an abandoned building and join me when I jogged.”
    “Got it. Does she cry all the time?” He stepped back and frowned as though the meowing bothered him.
    “Say hello and she’ll stop.”
    “Hello…cat.” He frowned and patted the air above her head. The animal rubbed against his legs and ceased crying.
    Jogger dogged Teagan’s heels as she led the detective into the living room. He stopped in the middle of the floor and scanned the interior. She shot a fleeting glimpse at the coffee table with her stash of aspirin, tissues, and eye drops, sitting on the tabletop and then focused back on the detective.
    He was taking in Aunt Sophia’s mismatched furniture like a prospective homebuyer. Her aunt never threw away a furnishing if it was usable and she’d have dusted and vacuumed before she