Gone Before Goodbye (Love &Mystery in the--6-oh-3 Book 1) by Nora Leduc Page A

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    “Are you okay? You look awful, like you received bad news. I don’t get why else they closed Muffy Mart and chased away the customers unless something big went down at the store. Who would they suspect? Everyone shops at Muffy’s.”
    “I have no idea. My head hurts, and I’m going home.” Teagan walked to the driver’s side.
    Stacey shadowed her.
    “That detective I just met, he has a reputation for being short-tempered and flipping out.”
    “As long as he finds Lisa.” Would this pounding in her head ever end?
    “Everyone said it was caused when his family was killed in a boating accident a couple of years ago.”
    “What?” Two years ago, Aunt Sophia was diagnosed with cancer, and their emails and phone calls changed from talk of home to doctor appointments and treatments. No wonder she never heard about the deadly accident.
    “He went gunning for the guy who ran into them.”
    Stacey’s statement brought Teagan’s thoughts back to the present. “Gunning?” She heard the shock in her own voice. She still remembered the fistfights at the homeless sites and hiding behind her mother when a newcomer had invaded a regular’s campsite.
    “Oh, I don’t know if the detective was going to shoot him for real, but who cares when he’s so hot looking? Besides, it was almost two years ago. Of course, only a therapist would understand what sets him off now, and he does carry a gun.”
    Was it possible Noah had grown into a violent person? No, he wouldn’t have kept his job. Hawick Falls didn’t employ vigilantes. Why was she listening to Stacey? Teagan unlocked her door, but Stacey’s gossip left her with an uneasy feeling. If only the girl would leave. “Please, go eat your pizza. I’m going home.”
    “I want to help. You’re under a lot of stress. I’ll call Father Matt. You’re alone in that empty house. I’m sure he’d hang with you for a while.”
    Teagan tightened her hand on the door handle. “Stacey, don’t bother Father Matt. I need quiet.”
    “He seems to like when you bother him.” Her blonde brows came together as though she were puzzling over the fact.
    Was she hinting at something? “He’s a person whose work is to aid people who can’t help themselves.” Teagan tossed her purse on the passenger seat. “I’m not one of them since I’m capable of driving.”
    “Really, Father Matt won’t mind going to your house if you’re ill. He’d like to be with you when you receive the terrible news. His job is to counsel and support the weak.”
    “I don’t need company, and Lisa is coming home.” Teagan slid into the driver’s side and slammed the door, which proved to be a mistake. Her temple throbbed more.
    Stacey jerked back, a scowl on her face. “You almost took off my head.”
    At the moment, Teagan wished she could take off her own. She motioned Stacey out of the way and merged onto the street.
    While she drove, questions rotated through her thoughts. Why would Lisa throw away her cell? If she’d lost it and someone found it, why not return or keep the phone? Teagan didn’t like the answer. Something terrible had happened to Lisa.
    The lump in her throat grew. Tears blurred her vision when she turned into her driveway.
    A cruiser pulled in behind her. The young officer who’d stopped her when she crossed the yellow line climbed out and approached.
    Teagan wiped her eyes. “Are you here about Lisa?”
    “No, ma’am. Detective Cassidy sent me to see that you arrived safely when I informed him you’d left. I’m to check your residence before I leave.”
    She nodded and the policeman walked her to the front door and insisted she wait for his all clear before she entered. The seconds ticked into minutes, but at last, he announced no one was inside and bid her good day. 
    Alone in the hall, she leaned against the door, exhausted. “Lisa, wherever you are, stay alive and come home.”
    Jogger’s meow answered her.
    Teagan swept her up. “Jogger, we’ve people