Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Ch 81 (kyle) - Take Me There Jolene

Kyle sat behind his computer and laid out three folders next to his notepad so he could write down questions he wanted to ask when he went to Colorado the next day. If he had to leave he wanted to make sure he had every moment he could spare for Alicia since they didn't have the kids in the house for the night. The moments were too far and few to waste, at least until both kids were in college.

Most everyone in the office left or was busy working on their computers. The room was quiet and only gave small hints that there was life outside of these walls each time the door opened and closed. Most days he loved that, today he was too tense to appreciate the interruption of silence.

Jose zipped up his big leather bag that sounded like a race boat ripping across water. He was getting ready to leave for Portland to talk to Nikki's parents.

"Jake still hasn't called?" Jose asked Kyle.

"Not yet, but if he is driving he won't." Kyle replied trying to shove the thickness of worry back down into his stomach so it wouldn't reach his heart. It was strange that Jake hadn't even returned his messages with a short text because he knew Jake had to have stopped for food and gas which was an opportunity.

"I just can't get over how odd it is that your son has a stalker who might be connected to murders. What in the hell is going on with this world? It seems to get smaller each day as we keep packing lives into it." Jose said. "On that note I can't wait to see my beautiful granddaughter."

"Give everyone a kiss for me." Kyle laughed at the picture Jose painted.

Officer Tate walked up to Kyle after he waved to Jose who was walking to the door.

"We've left a few messages on Harmony's phone and checked her house but nobody was home. There weren't even cars on the property. It's a nice house in a rich neighborhood. We've done a few pass-bys but we think Harmony is out for the day and the snow is filling up the streets. She may be at a friend's house. Though who would go out into this snow voluntarily is beyond me but my guys will keep at it until we find her." Tate reassured Kyle.

"Thanks Tate. I hope the effort is going to be worth it. The sooner we can get her information the better before alarms start going out in unnecessary directions."

"Yeah, no kidding, I'm going to get a coffee across the street, do you want one? I'm calling in the order for the rest of us." Tate asked, pointing out the five others busy at different desks.

"Absolutely, would you like to borrow a snowboard to get across the road?" Kyle said making Tate laugh before he gave Tate his order then went to reach for cash.

"I got it. You can get the next one." Tate replied and Kyle thanked him as he walked away. Kyle dove into his mind as he scanned details on Tessa's murder. He had a full page of questions before he even realized it. Tate was already back and set a tall steaming hot paper cup of gourmet coffee that tickled his need with its steam of splendid richness.

He checked his phone and saw that Jake had sent him a text earlier. He had it on silence during the meeting that he forgot to switch the commands. Jake had called him just a minute ago so Kyle called Jake back immediately and got no answer. Just as Kyle put the phone down, he saw the screen start to flash on and off. Kyle picked it up and shook it knowing it wasn't going to help much but it made him feel better to do so.

Following up on a feeling, Kyle called Jake again.

"Dad I was just getting ready to pull out of the parking lot and head to Brittany's. I just called but got your message service so I was going to call you later but you must have read my mind and called right back." Jake said sounding tired.