Reese, cocked an eyebrow, clearly as surprised as he was that this woman would simply invite two strangers into her house. Granted, they had badges, but she hadn’t bothered to look all that closely at them.
“If you’ll excuse me for just a minute … I’ll be right back.”
“If she’s smart, she’s gettin’ a Taser.”
“Or a can of mace,” Reese muttered as he peered around.
The inside of the house was as small as the outside, but clean and uncluttered like Corinne’s apartment. Little color on the walls, offset by jewel tones throughout.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Michelle offered, coming back into the room and glancing between the two of them.
Didn’t look like she’d gotten a weapon, but she had put on a jacket, effectively covering herself.
“We’re fine,” Brantley said, pulling his sunglasses off and tucking them into the neck of his T-shirt. “If you don’t mind, we’d just like to ask you a few questions.”
“Of course.” Michelle motioned toward the couch, although no one took a seat.
“I’m a friend of Corinne’s family,” Brantley explained. “From what I’ve been told, she went out with some friends last night. Met at the Grove, left there around one this morning. No one’s seen her since.”
“The Grove’s a wine bar,” Michelle said. “I know Cori likes to hang out there. Like I told the woman who called, I’ve been out of town for a week. Last time I saw Cori was the Thursday before last. We had coffee. Met at Starbucks near campus as is our routine. I mean, I’m not sure what I can tell you. We don’t usually talk on the phone or text, just catch up in person.”
“Anything you can tell us would be beneficial.”
“Did you go by her apartment?” Michelle asked, big brown eyes darting back and forth between them.
“We did. Doesn’t look like she came home last night.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Do you know if she was seein’ anyone?”
“Cori mentioned a guy she met online a couple of months ago.” Michelle shook her head as though answering a silent question. “She never told me his name. Said it was nothing serious, and she hadn’t met him in person. They were just messaging back and forth. I tried to get details, but she said she didn’t want to jinx it.”
“Did she mention what he looked like?” Reese asked. “If they have anything in common? Restaurants, museums?”
“Museums?” Brantley asked, casting an amused look his way.
Thankfully Michelle ignored his question. “No. I got the impression he was older though.”
“Older?” Reese asked. “Like college-grad older? Or tenured CEO older?”
Michelle chuckled. “She said he’s been married before. Has a kid, I think.”
Reese watched Brantley, observing the way the man processed the information. Probably asking himself if this guy was legit or some online predator. The same questions were going through his mind, but until they had more to go on, none of them could be answered.
Brantley’s phone rang and he reached in his back pocket, pulled it out. “Excuse me. I need to take this.”
“Of course,” Michelle said quickly.
“Whatcha got, JJ?”
Reese watched Brantley, curious as to what JJ might’ve found in the few minutes since they last spoke with her. He couldn’t hear what was being said, but whatever it was sparked Brantley’s attention.
“Thanks, JJ. You’re a godsend,” he said quickly. “Shoot me the address. We’ll check it out.”
“A lead?” Reese inquired when Brantley pocketed his phone.
“Yeah.” Brantley turned back to Michelle. “Thank you, Ms. Breeland. We appreciate your help.”
“I’m not sure I did much. But if there’s anything else, please let me know. Cori’s my friend and now I’m worried about her.”
Brantley pulled his sunglasses off his shirt, then headed for the door.
Reese followed, curious as to what JJ had told him, but smart enough to hold off asking until they were back in the truck. Evidently it was enough to cut their questioning short, which hopefully meant good things for Corinne Greenwood.
A minute later, he was riding shotgun.
Chapter Twelve
Once they were back in the truck, Brantley keyed in the address JJ had sent over, surprised when Reese didn’t ask where they were going.
Glancing over, he noticed Reese was staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought.
“Somethin’ on your mind?”
Reese peered over. “JJ said Corinne left the bar at one in the morning. Took an Uber. You think she could reach out, pinpoint the driver?”
“Good question. Why don’t you call her and ask?”
Dragging his phone out of his pocket, Reese dialed. A second later, JJ’s voice sounded on