Chapter 4
Lucas didn't even bother to stay home. He jumped in his car and sped straight to the nearest police station.
He drove like a madman, blowing through three red lights without a second thought.
When he got to the station, he didn't even wait for the car to stop; he just jumped out and rushed inside.
"I need to report a missing person," Lucas said.
He rushed into the lobby, pressing his hands hard on the front desk, his knuckles turning white.
"My wife is missing," he blurted out.
The officer on duty was startled by Lucas's intense, almost menacing vibe and nervously pushed up his glasses.
"Just take a breath, sir," the officer said.
"How long has she been missing?"
Lucas glanced at his watch, his tone curt and direct. "Thirteen hours."
The officer paused for a second, then gave him that helpless, professional smile.
"Sir, we can't file a missing person report for an adult unless they've been missing for at least twenty-four hours.
"And thirteen hours? Maybe her phone just died, or she's out with friends?"
"No way," Lucas snapped, cutting him off before he could finish.
"She doesn't have any friends.
"I'm the only person she knows.
"Her phone's never off. Whenever I call, she always picks up right away."
An old man who'd come to report his stolen scooter couldn't stand it anymore and chimed in.
"Hey kid, you can't talk like that.
"That's what they call PUA, right? Emotional manipulation?
"She's a person too, you know. Doesn't she get any privacy?
"Honestly, I bet you pissed her off and she just wanted some peace and quiet."
Lucas turned and shot the old man a cold, menacing glare.
The old man's hand shook so hard. He instantly shut up.
"She'd never run off," Lucas said.
He turned to the officer, locking eyes and spelling it out, word by word.
"She can't live without me.
"Trust me, with her personality? Even if I threw her out, she'd be on her knees, begging me not to leave."
I floated above, watching him; so full of himself it was almost laughable.
God, I was dying to smack that smug look right off his face.
But my hand just went straight through him. I couldn't even touch him.
"So," Lucas said.
He took a deep breath, struggling to keep his anger in check.
"Something's happened to her.
"Check the cameras, trace her phone; do whatever it takes.
"I don't care if you have to turn Riverdale upside down, just find her!"
Lucas's intensity was so intimidating, the officer just froze for a second; then, even though it totally broke the rules, he grabbed the phone to check with his boss.
Just then.
A shrill phone ringtone suddenly cut through the air.
It was the police reporting hotline.
The officer picked up, his face instantly turning grim.
"Hello? Is this the Eastside Police Department?" he asked.
"A female body was found under the Riverdale Bridge?" the officer repeated.
Lucas froze, every muscle tensing up.