He held the still unopened file on Sharon Berkley in his hand, wanting to hear everything Williamson knew before digging into the case. The agent seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, and a lot of insight into a case Antonio wasn’t completely familiar with, other than what he’d seen on the evening news or what he’d read in the press, and even then it had been a couple of years ago. Firsthand knowledge always added intriguing layers to a case, giving a perspective to things which might otherwise be overlooked.
“Sharon Berkley worked on the second floor at the mall, having earned her way up to store manager for a lingerie shop. Took a lunch break and headed for the food court to grab a bite. Somehow she ended up going head first over the railing and landed on the first floor. Witnesses couldn’t say for sure what happened, but Sharon told the police at the hospital she’d been pushed.” Williamson took another drink of his coffee, before continuing. “The police report on the incident’s in your file. Officer taking her statement at the hospital said she seemed jumpy and nervous, flinched at the slightest noise. No broken bones, but a badly sprained wrist and lots of bruising. Doctors were concerned she had a concussion, and insisted she be kept overnight.”
“Lemme guess,” Antonio quipped. “She disappeared from the hospital.”
“Bingo. Sometime between four a.m. and six a.m. when the nurse went to check on her, she’d ghosted. Never went back to her apartment. Left her purse and all her belongings behind at the hospital, right down to the clothes she wore. The hospital was missing one pair of scrubs. Security footage showed her exiting through the loading dock at four fifty-seven. She was limping, wrist bandaged and her arm in a sling, but she hightailed it out to the parking lot and disappeared off the camera. This time she didn’t contact WITSEC, and nobody has heard from her. At all. The identity she’d been given in Vegas and the one she’d been using in Lincoln have had no activity since. She hasn’t been spotted on any facial recognition software at airports, train stations or bus stations. In other words, we have no clue where to find her. It’s like she’s vanished into thin air.”
“So, basically, nobody has seen Sharon Berkley for what, at least two years?”
Williamson nodded. “Give or take a few months.”
Antonio stood, still holding the file on Sharon Berkley and picked up his hat and the file on James Berkley. “Got a place for me to spread out and work?”
Williamson stood and walked around his desk. “Check with Michelle, the woman who showed you in. She’ll get you set up at a desk and make sure you have computer access for whatever you need.” He paused and met Antonio’s gaze. “We have to find Sharon Berkley. Nobody’s safe if Big Jim Berkley is walking the streets a free man. She’s the only one who can assure we put him away for good.”
Drawing in a deep breath, Antonio tapped the folders. “I’ll find her.”
Williamson slapped him lightly on the back. “Welcome to Austin, Boudreau.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Early morning at Daisy’s Diner meant wading through the crowds to find an empty table. And she was late, because Serena had barely slept a wink the night before. She still hadn’t figured out why she’d let Ms. Patti talk her into staying in Shiloh Springs. Then again, most folks didn’t say no to Patti Boudreau. The woman was a force of nature, sweeping everyone along in her wake. Serena’s eyes scanned the diner, finally spotting the group she’d come to meet at a table about halfway toward the back.
Tessa Maxwell waved, motioning her forward, and Serena maneuvered between the chairs and the booths against the wall, until she slid into the last empty seat at the table. “Morning, ladies.”
“Good morning, sunshine.” Without a word, Tessa grabbed the coffee carafe and filled Serena’s cup. Thank goodness. Serena wasn’t a morning person, preferring to sleep in whenever she could, especially on the weekends. Getting up while it was still dark outside meant she wasn’t a happy camper on the best of days, especially when she hadn’t had her caffeine charge, but today she felt extra growly. Stirring in some sugar, she took a sip and moaned as the warmth seeped deep into her bones.
“I may have to worship at Daisy’s feet. I swear the woman makes a mean pot of coffee.” She took another sip and gave a contented sigh. “I see y’all started without me.” Each woman had a plate in front of them, loaded with breakfast foods. Now she had some life-saving coffee in her system, the smells of bacon and sausage, pancakes, and cinnamon buns hit her. Darn it, somehow with all the drama yesterday, she’d forgotten to eat. No wonder she felt lightheaded and surly.
“Hi, Serena! What can I get you?” Daisy stood across from her, a smile lighting her face. Although she had to be running herself ragged, judging from the crowded diner, she seemed to bubble with energy. Serena smiled at the sapphire-blue streaks Daisy had added into her blonde hair. They were quirky and fun, like the woman standing before her with an order pad in her hand. Not that she needed it. She couldn’t remember a single time she’d come in when Daisy messed up an order. When it came to the diner, her pride and joy, Daisy never missed a beat.
“Diet’s going out the window this morning. I’ll have a stack of pancakes with a side of bacon, and a glass of O.J.”
“You got it. Be right back.” Daisy practically bounced toward the counter, pausing to chat with a customer before heading to the large open window to place Serena’s order. Before Serena even
