Chapter 297: Missing
*I hope she sees it through, but to be honest, I don’t think she will. – Rye*
Leigh Anne finished her thirty days of rehab and moved to a residential apartment. She still had therapy and daily drug tests. The apartment was on the campus, and she shared the quad with three other patients. They each had a small dorm like room with a twin bed, dresser, and desk. They each had a small bathroom and shared a living room with kitchenette.
She had a curfew of nine and had come to a family dinner last week. Rye was excited about her coming over again later that day. They were at the grocery store Saturday afternoon to get ingredients for dinner. Rye wanted to make chicken cordon blue, but Chance talked her into doing a pasta recipe that Mia gave her.
Chance was putting groceries in the back of the Kia as Rye put Michael and his carrier in the backseat. At six months old he was starting to look like a full-term newborn. Rye finally stopped calling him her nephew and started saying he was her son. Leigh Anne signed away her parental rights and requested that he be adopted by her sister.
Everything was scheduled to be finalized next week. A week after that, Rye would be attending classes required by the state and district. At the end of the month, she would start teaching. Her therapy was down to twice a week, and they went as a couple every other week.
All in all, life was good.
Better than it had been in a long time. Yesterday, she told Carly that she was just waiting for something to go wrong. She knew it would. Her life was never this good.
It was no surprise when the doctor at the clinic called Chance. He pushed the buggy to the cart return and stood there for several minutes. Rye watched him as he faced away from the car to talk to the older man.
When he hung up and returned to the car, she already knew what he was going to say. The easy going flirt was gone, there was no suggestion for ice cream, no witty banter or a quick smile. It was the hard ass biker that got in the car with his clenched jaw, silence, and deliberate movements.
They were approaching their street before he said anything. “We’re going to stay at the Shack for a few days.”
“Leigh Anne left, and they think that she might harm Michael.” she said calmly with no emotion.
He nodded as he turned onto Finch Street. Four houses down, two Monroe police cars and an MPD van sat on one side of the street. On the other side, in front of their house, were several bikes and a Wolf Pack Security Company SUV.
“Stay in the car.” Chance ordered as he pulled into the driveway. Rye simply nodded as he got out.
“Timothy James Lynch?” an officer asked as he walked over.
“Yes, ma’am.” He extended a hand, and she shook it.
“Sergeant Murphy with the Monroe Police Department.” She introduced herself. “We got a call from your security company about a break in.”
“Is this Leigh Anne?” Tank asked, handing him a tablet with the Wolf Pack emblem on the back of the case.
“Fuck.” Chance said glancing at the paused video.
“I’m taking that as an affirmative and that you know her.” The officer with the dirty blonde hair stated.
“My sister-in-law.” Chance said running his hand through his hair. “She’s been at Riverside for addiction. Dr. Bawardi called me a few minutes ago. You should probably talk to him.”
The officer nodded as she made a note in her little book. “It’s up to you if you want to press charges.”
“I’m going to leave that decision to my wife. Is anything missing?”
“Her dad’s flag case and the family photos are smashed.” Tank said as Werewolf pulled up. “The nursery is destroyed.”
“Fucking hell.” He turned and looked at the car. “She knew something would happen. Said that Leigh Anne had never been clean for more than two months at a time. I’ve got to talk to her.”
Werewolf pulled his men together and spoke to them as Chance walked back to the car. He opened the door and knelt beside Rye.
“It was Leigh Anne.” She said with no emotion.
“Yes, it was.” He said, taking her hand in his. “Ryanne, she smashed your pictures and your dad’s flag.”
“She didn’t find what she was looking for.” she said as the first tears fell.
“Duchess.” Chance said gently. “She destroyed the nursery.”
“I need to see.” She whispered undoing her seat belt.
He helped her out and put an arm around her waist. Tank acknowledged the small movement of Chance’s head and went to get Michael. Rye walked through the mess of cut up pillows and cushions. She picked up the now unfolded flag and held it to her chest as she walked down the hall. Stopping in front of the walk-in closet in their room, she took a deep breath before facing her biggest fear.
With Chance standing behind her, she opened the door to their bedroom closet. Small hesitant steps carried her into the small dark empty room. Rye flipped on the lights and went to the small shelves at the far end. With a shaking hand she grabbed the old beat-up shoe box and then quickly walked out.
Werewolf took the box and flag as Rye collapsed into Chance. He sat on the floor with his wife as his brother left the room, closing the door.
“I’ve got you, Ryanne. I’m not going anywhere.” He murmured as he held her close.
She clung to him as she cried. After several minutes she sat up.
“Michael.” Rye whispered guiltily.
“Tank has him.” Chance said softly as he smoothed her short hair.
Nodding, she stood up and walked to the nursery. The police were still processing the room. Destroyed toys and books had been thrown around the room. Furniture was smashed and toppled over.
Except for the crib.
Inside, carefully tucked under a ratty old blanket was a bear holding a heart shaped picture of a Marine.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry-.”
“Mrs. Lynch, what do you need?” the sergeant from outside asked cutting off the other officer.
“The Marine bear.” she said softly pointing towards the crib.
“Have you finished processing this?” the sergeant asked, approaching the crib.
“Yes, ma’am, but there may be evidence-.”
“There’s nothing there.” She told him as she picked up the bear and took it over to Rye.
Rye hugged it to her chest and walked down the hall to the front door. Chance watched her walk around the corner and assumed she was headed towards Michael.
“Thank you, that bear means a lot to her.” Chance said.
“My niece has one. She’s a lot younger and still has her dad.” She looked at Chance with understanding. “My niece doesn’t have PTSD, either.”
“Your niece is a lot luckier than my wife.” He replied before going to find the woman in question.
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