A Great Leap (First Draft) - Outer Realms Book 1

Chapter 5

"Sergeant!"

Mikayla stopped as she was about to push the button to the elevator and turned to find Cameron walking toward her. He gave a small wave with one hand and in the other hand was a bunch of papers.

"Cameron?" Mikayla said as he joined her, "What're you doing up here?"

"Our system is down again so I'm dropping off a few reports by hand," Cameron answered, "Not for you, sorry. I'm still finishing yours up but I thought I'd say hello and be polite. You on your way out?"

"Yeah, trying to track down the girlfriend. She seems to have dropped off the map since this morning. You just missed Joel. He went down to get the car."

"Uh-huh. Let him know I'll have your report done shortly. Couple of things didn't make sense right away so I'm waiting on a couple of tests. I'll run it over after lunch."

"If your office upgraded to the CSN, you wouldn't have to run around like this."

Cameron shrugged. "Don't mind. I like to keep moving. Speaking of which, I've got more stops to make. I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

"Yeah, see you."

When Mikayla got in the car she slapped Joel on the chest.

"What is that for?" he yelped, flinching.

"I think Cameron is avoiding us and I'm pretty sure it's your fault."

"I haven't done anything. Why do you think he's avoiding us anyway?"

"I don't know. Last time I worked with him he wasn't the chatiest guy but he seemed... I don't know. He wasn't distracted or eager to leave. Now he's got me wondering if I smell. Just a feeling. But if he is avoiding us you're the only reason I can think of for it cause I'm a nonstop delight."

"You'll be a delight when I talk to HR about you smacking me around and I don't have to put up with you anymore."

"You dob me in and you're not invited to Sunday dinner anymore."

"You wouldn't do that to the girls."

Mikayla grinned. "Of course not. They're still invited. I'll pick them up and you can sit at home on your own wishing I'd slap you up the back of your head like the good old days."

Joel laughed. "You might not cook like Mum but you definitely hit like her."

"Maybe I shouldn't be so rough. I need all the friends I can get on my side next time Mum and Kerry gang up on me."

"Yeah, not likely. You're not that scary just yet. Give it another ten years."

Mikayla and Joel continued to chat and tease each other for the twenty minute drive to the address of Jessica Nyhan. They parked on the street and were briefly lost looking for the right unit.

Mikayla knocked on the door and after a moment of shuffling noises it opened to reveal a petite young woman with asian features and wearing nurses scrubs. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot with dark circles under them and she lent heavily against the door.

"Charlotte Nyhan?" Mikayla asked.

"Sure am. You the police?" Charlotte asked. Mikayla nodded. "Jess still hasn't come home. Do you want to come in? Sorry but I've not been home long."

Mikayla and Joel entered the small unit. The living room appeared cluttered though there was only a lounge, two arm chairs and a small coffee table covered in magazines. The lounge was butted up against the breakfast bar of the kitchen and blankets were draped over the chairs. Charlotte went straight to the kitchen and picked up a steaming mug.