CHAPTER 311

Elijah’s POV

We’ve got a new lead on Henry and Julia. Call me ASAP.

Joe's message replayed in my mind, over and over, like a broken record. I should’ve felt a sense of urgency, but all I could think about was Reese—her smile, her laugh, the way she held on to Sophia after dinner. As much as I wanted to stay with them longer, I knew I had to go. Joe’s update couldn’t wait, and there were still too many unanswered questions.

I chose not to mention anything to Sophia just yet—I didn’t want to add to her worries. She’d just come through a rough time with Reese being sick, and the last thing she needed was more stress.

I tore myself away from Sophia’s place, the chill of the night greeting me as I stepped outside. The drive back to the office was tense, and the streets almost too empty, too quiet. I tried calling Joe the moment I got in the car, my thumb hitting the dial button almost on instinct.

No answer.

The phone kept ringing, each buzz of the dial tone amplifying the heaviness in m