39. Katie

CHAPTER 39

Katie

I reach into the fridge to grab what I need for dinner. The boys aren’t back yet, but that’s not all that unusual. There have been many nights when Cody wants to find as many books as possible on the subject they learned about in class. Nolan normally texts me, if that’s the case, but I haven’t heard from him.

There isn’t much I need to do to prep for spaghetti night. I’m just bored and ready for my guys to be home. I got a call from Dani that has changed everything for our custody case. The court granted her subpoena for Bryce’s phone records, including his texts. I couldn’t believe it. We all knew it was a long shot for the phone records alone.

Dani’s team went through them and found his nail in the coffin. The idiot texted his PI, clearly stating how important it was that the PI find dirt on me for the sake of his campaign. There were bucketloads of other messages that didn’t help, either. It’s the proof we need to show the court that Bryce only wants Cody to make himself look better for his campaign. I’ve been dying to talk to Nolan about it. There wasn’t enough time when he picked up Cody from school, and this was not something I was going to send in a text message.

I scroll through my phone for a while to keep myself occupied. I’m pretending like I’m not worried about them, but my nerves are starting to get the best of me. I’ve sent Nolan a couple of texts that have gone unanswered. It’s been an hour and a half since their class ended. The drive is only fifteen minutes at max. They should’ve been home by now, even if Cody checked out a couple of books.

Pressing on Nolan’s contact, I lift the phone to my ear. With every second he doesn’t answer, my stomach knots further. I end the call after his voicemail picks up. Rationally, I know there are many reasons he wouldn’t be able to answer. Unfortunately for me, my brain has blown past rational and moved on to freaked out.

What am I supposed to do? Do I call Adam to see if he’s seen Nolan? Maybe I call the library instead? My stomach is roiling at this point. I start pacing because my body feels like it’s vibrating.

My phone buzzes in my hand, my shoulders slumping when I see Ellie’s name instead of Nolan’s.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Katie…”

I know immediately something awful has happened. “Where are they? Are they okay?”

“We don’t know any details right now. Adam got a call from the hospital that Nolan was brought in with a gunshot wound.”

“Wait… What?” Those were not the words I was prepared for. I thought she was going to tell me they were in a car accident or something.

“Nolan was shot in the parking lot of the library. Katie…”

“Where’s Cody?” My voice is desperate.

“We don’t know. Nolan came in by himself. ”

Nothing. There’s absolutely nothing in my brain right now.

“We’re coming to get you, okay? We’ll be there in a few minutes, and then we’ll take you to the hospital.”

“I need to find Cody. He’s out there somewhere… all by himself.” I start racing around my house in my panic as if I could find something here to help me get my son back. Eventually, I shove my feet into the first pair of shoes I can find and grab my purse from the side table.

When I get outside, Adam’s silver Audi comes speeding up to the house. I barely get a few steps to my car before Ellie is out of the car and jogging toward me.

She grabs my arms to keep me still. “Katie, please come with us to the hospital. The hospital said officers were waiting to talk to us. We can get more information when we get there.”

“I need to go to the library. Maybe he’s inside waiting for us. He’s a smart kid; he’d hide or something. What about Nolan’s truck? Did they look there? He’s probably just hiding because he’s scared.”

“Honey,” Ellie interrupts my rambling. “He wasn’t there. When Adam asked about Cody, the officers said he wasn’t there. They interviewed the staff already. If he was still at the library, they’d have said something.”

I shake my head as if that will change what she’s telling me. “No. He has to be there. He’s not gone.”

Ellie’s eyes well up. “We’ll find him, okay?”

In the haze of my panic, she guides me to Adam’s car. It’s only then that I notice Adam standing there, opening the door for me. I have no idea if he’s been standing next to Ellie this whole time or if he just now got out of the car.

The drive passes in the blink of an eye. The brown building of the hospital looms over me as Adam parks. A part of me feels like if I don’t walk inside, nothing bad will happen. Maybe staying ignorant of whatever is happening in that building will protect me from feeling the overwhelming heartbreak that’s threatening to take me over.

Ellie doesn’t give me the option of staying in the car, though. She holds my arm as Adam walks in front of us into the emergency department. He talks to the front desk lady, and she tells us all of nothing about Nolan. Just that he’s back in surgery, and the doctor will update us when there’s anything to know. Super fucking helpful, lady. Thank you.

“I thought you said the police officers were here,” I ask Ellie as we sit in the waiting room.

Ellie shrugs. “That’s what the hospital told Adam.”

For the next however many minutes, I sit in a state of numbness. My brain has shut down all forms of thought. The only thing it’s capable of is keeping me upright and alive at the moment. I don’t notice the movement of the other people around me. I can’t comprehend the conversations being had. I’m just… lost.

“Katie…” A hand on my arm makes me blink into awareness. Two men wearing suits stand in front of me. All of Nolan’s family is sitting in chairs around the waiting room. Cindy is holding my hand, and I frown at her. I have no clue when she got here. When did any of them get here?

“Mrs. Ellis, we have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind.”

My head turns back to the men in front of me, only to realize they’re talking to me, not Cindy. “I… I’m not?—”

“Go with it,” Ellie whispers in my ear. My gaze cuts to hers, and her expression clearly says she’ll explain later.

“Um, sure.” I nod.

“I’d like to be there with you if that’s okay,” Adam says, standing from his chair. I shrug because I couldn’t care less. Given that thought, it probably would be a good idea if he was there.

We follow the officers to a small room around the corner from the waiting room. The click of my shoes on the tile floor makes me frown down at the floor. Why am I wearing my fancy flats? I have on leggings and a baggy shirt. I don’t have time to figure it out because Adam is ushering me into the tiny meeting space.

One of the officers, a man with light brown hair and a kind face, gestures to the chairs on one side of the six-person table. Adam pulls out my chair for me and then sits down after I do.

“I’m really sorry this is happening to you right now, Mrs. Ellis.”

“It’s Katie. You can call me Katie.” I can’t listen to him call me that name, especially when the man who could make it real is back in some OR right now, likely fighting for his life.

“Okay, Katie. I’m Neal, and this is my partner, Warner. We understand that your son was with Mr. Ellis when he was shot. Is that correct?”

“Um, I guess? I don’t honestly know. He should’ve been. I don’t know the details about anything right now. All I know is my son is missing, and my… and Nolan is in surgery.” I have no clue what I’m supposed to call Nolan to these officers, so I figure I shouldn’t call him anything.

“From what we’ve gathered so far, Mr. Ellis and your son walked out into the parking lot of the library after their class was finished. Several minutes afterward, shots were fired, and then the paramedics were called. When the paramedics arrived, Mr. Ellis was the only person injured, and your son was not with him.”

“Oh, God.” I cover my mouth with my hands. Vomit threatens to spew all over the detectives in front of me. I can bet they wouldn’t take too kindly to that. Adam gently rests his hand on my shoulder in support.

“What time does their class normally end?”

“Five. It’s an hour-long class.”

“Okay, and is there anyone you could think of who would want to hurt Nolan? ”

“I… No. He’s the best man I know. Everyone loves him.”

Adam then suggests something I never would’ve thought of. “Katie and Nolan are currently in the beginning stages of a custody case with Cody’s biological father, Bryce Aldrich. He lives in Greensboro. It’s only just begun, but it hasn’t been an amicable situation.”

Warner takes notes in his little notebook.

“Do you really think Bryce could’ve had something to do with this?” I ask Adam.

He shrugs. “I don’t know, honey, but it’s worth a look, just in case.”

“Anything helps at this point. Until Mr. Ellis can tell us what happened himself, any lead is a direction to follow.” They ask for his contact information, which I provide.

“Is there anything else you can think of that might help us find Cody? Any friends or anyone that he might’ve gone home with?”

“No, none of his friends take that class. And I can’t believe a single one of them would be capable of doing something like this.” I drop my head into my hands. This is too much for anyone to handle. What if he’s hurt? What if some maniac kidnapped him from the parking lot, leaving Nolan to die? What if Cody…

At that thought, the tears begin to fall. I can’t hold them back any longer. I’ve kept everything shoved down, trying to hold myself together, but I can’t stop them now. Adam wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his chest. My sobs are wracking through me as I purge every ounce of terror and hopelessness inside of me. By the time they finally slow, I don’t feel anything anymore. I can’t decide if that’s better.

Adam slides a tissue box across the table to me once I pull away. “I’m not sure I need those anymore, thanks to your shirt. ”

Adam breathes out a laugh while I take one anyway. “Where did the detectives go?”

“They said they were going to try to get a hold of Bryce.”

“But I didn’t answer all of their questions.”

“They gave me their card to call them if you think of anything,” Adam reassures me.

I’m about to stand when someone in scrubs peeks her head through the door. “Mrs. Ellis? We have an update on your husband.”