Unstable Connections (Valor and Doyle Book 3) by Nicky James

Author:Nicky James [James, Nicky]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-10-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Quaid

“How on earth can you say that? It’s not a goddamn coincidence.” I slammed my hand on the conference room table. “Look at the facts.”

“I’m not saying it isn’t a strong possibility. I’m saying we have to be careful we aren’t warping possible evidence to make it work for us.” Erik, expression flat and voice monotone, challenged me from the other side of the table. He stood with his arms crossed, Allison, a silent sentinel at his side.

Eden stood by the door, watching for Edwards, who’d needed to deal with something press-related before he could join us. Dad had taken a seat at the head of the conference room table, but he’d been annoyingly silent, listening to Erik and me volley arguments back and forth. It would have been nice if he’d taken my side.

“We have two missing girls who were lured away from a crowded setting by a boy named Kader.”

“You keep saying lured. That is subjective. I’m playing devil’s advocate, Valor, and you know I’m justified.” Erik held up a finger when I opened my mouth to retaliate. “Listen to me. One. The soccer tournament brought in hundreds of kids from all over the city. It is not unreasonable to think this Kader boy Evelyn spoke of went to one of the two schools present for the end-of-the-year party with Lily.” He held up a second finger. “Two. According to Evelyn, this boy didn’t take her anywhere.”

“No, but he told her where to go to find a balloon man who didn’t exist.”

“Someone was making balloon animals that day for the kids, so ergo, he did exist. Plus, the boy who took Lily for a drink ran back to the playground after showing her where the water was. Those were her words.”

“She didn’t sound positive about that. You heard the uncertainty in her tone. My gut tells me this boy lured her there and gave her contaminated water. She doesn’t remember anything afterward because she was drugged and taken. The same boy convinced Evelyn to go somewhere specific as well. He didn’t have to take her hand. All he had to do was make sure she followed through.”

Erik threw his hands up. “Well, you’ve got it all sorted then.”

“I’m not saying I do. I’m saying—”

A sharp whistle cut into the room, and Erik and I both fell silent. Edwards had come through the door, and he made a point of slamming it behind him. “All right, listen up. This is what’s happening.” He addressed Allison. “We have lists of all the children on all the soccer teams present for the day of the tournament, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Sir,” I interrupted. “The boy didn’t play soccer. His sister did.”

Edwards’s cold glare landed on me. “I’m aware, Valor. I’ve seen the interview.”

“Sorry. It’s just that—”

“Bright. Travolta.” Edwards spoke over me. “You two will divide the list and contact every family on the field that day. Your only goal is to find the child named Kader. He is the brother of one of the players.

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