Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

Bonus

This chapter takes place on the night that Gray found Doyle.

Photo credit: @rfphoto Depositphotos.com

Kasper sipped his drink and looked around the parlor. Seeing Tate and Jimmy together was weird. For years they hated each other. The new couple laughed with Ivy and Baxter.

Where was Doyle? Kasper should go talk to her. He worried she was more messed up than the usual party girl. He knew her vice of choice was weed with occasional lines of coke at nightclubs and parties. Kasper didn't touch anything except weed, and hadn't touched the stuff in months.

His father walked over to him as he was about to find Doyle. "What have you been keeping busy with?"

"Modeling. I have my next show lined up."

Philip shook his head. "I tried to support you, but Kanes don't find wives on television." Kasper wanted to win. "Did you see the financial report I sent you?" Kasper nodded. Philip loved to talk business.

When the two couples made excuses to leave, Kasper escaped his father and ran upstairs. He knocked on Doyle's door. When she didn't answer, he turned the knob. Inside her room was empty. Except for her camera equipment in the corner, it looked like she hadn't been home.

Shit! An icy chill ran through him. He had never felt so weird. Maybe he was second hand high, but that was hours ago. He missed Doyle. She was never home and left without saying goodbye.

Back downstairs the parlor was empty. Percy was directing a new maid to clean up the discarded glasses. "Then finish in the dining room." Percy turned to Kasper. "May I help you?"

"When did Doyle leave?"

Percy's face fell like a man who got caught abandoning his post. "I didn't realize she had."

Kasper sighed. "Looks like she went to join the band."

"I wish she would stay home. I can pour you another drink."

"No, thank you."

Kasper felt restless, unusually so. He replayed his conversation and decided the financial reports were a good distraction. It was too early for bed.

Kasper jumped when the house phone rang. Percy moved quickly from the dining room to the front hall to answer. Kasper stood and walked to the hall feeling unease again. Who called after midnight?

Percy answered as always, "Kane residence."

Kasper took large strides as their butler's face paled. "Hold please." He held out the receiver. "Here. I need to wake your father."

Kasper took the phone like a grenade. "This is Kasper Kane."

"I told your..."

"Butler."

"Right. We are sending a detective to speak to the family of Doyle Kane."

"What's happened? Is she okay?"

"I wish I could answer you."

"Is she under arrest?" Kasper wondered which lawyer to call. Not Tate.

"Arrested? No. Detective Lachlan is on his way with the details."

The line went dead and Kasper realized his hand was shaking. His heart was beating fast, but it was still ticking. Surely, if Doyle was dead, his heart would falter. He walked to the parlor to pour a drink.

Percy appeared. "What did he say?"

Kasper shook his head. His voice cracked. "Nothing. She's not arrested." A sick feeling inside made him wish she had been. They could bail her out.