Chapter 49

Walking into Latte Da, the last person I expected to this soon was Samuel Millington. Just a few days out of the hospital, fresh off the back of the disappearance of his so-called girlfriend, he's standing at the counter like it's any other Tuesday.

Clearing my throat as I approach him, I nod my head as he turns to face me. "Mr. Millington."

"Detective Michales." He feigns a smile before turning back toward the baristas hastily making coffees.

"I know you've been to the precinct to discuss the details of your alleged mugging?—"

"Alleged?" He quickly turns to face me with a scoff. "I had twenty-two stitches, ruptured my spleen, and nearly died. I think we can move past the alleged disposition."

"Samuel?" the barista calls from behind the counter as she places two coffees down.

He promptly places a sizeable tip in the jar on the counter and grabs the two cups before him. Turning back to face me, he quips, "Always a pleasure, Detective."

Without another word, he walks to the door and uses his shoulder to nudge it open.

Turning on my heel and following behind him, I match his brisk pace as he makes his way down the sidewalk. "I've actually been wanting to speak with you regarding Cora Durant. It appears that she disappeared the same day you wound up in the hospital."

"Missing?" He places one of the cups on the roof of his car with a furrowed brow.

"Yes." My voice becomes more authoritative as he opens the driver's side door. "Missing."

"Cora. Love." He dips his head into the car and extends one of the coffees to a passenger. "Detective Michales seems to think that you went missing earlier this week."

She leans over the console toward the open door, and I repeatedly blink my eyes as though they are deceiving me.

"Missing?" Her tone is inquisitive. "Why on earth would you think that?"

I stare at her silently, still in disbelief that she's sitting before me.

Even more so that she's still alive.

Samuel graciously flew me out to visit my nana for a few days." She looks at him adoringly. "Isn't that sweet of him?"

"Yes." My eyes suspiciously roam over Mr. Millington as he gingerly slides into the seat beneath him. "Very."

I don't believe a fucking word of it.

Every word from their mouths reeks of bullshit.

Samuel.

Edmund.

Grant.

And now, even Cora.

"If you don't need any more proof that she's still alive." Mr. Millington begins pulling his door shut. "We have somewhere to be."

Shaking my head, he shuts the door, and I watch the two of them pull away. They might as well be riding off into the sunset because every fucking lie they've just spewed will have some magical thread of evidence to back it up.

Because they always do.

Sooner or later, I'll find something.

Something is bound to rattle them.