16 Nick
By the time I’ve been frogmarched back to my own house by the policeman, McKenna and Brennan are already sitting in my living room, waiting for me. Tasha’s there, too.
‘What the hell, Nick?’ she says, as I try to avoid looking anyone in the eye. The anger has subsided now and all I feel is shame and embarrassment.
‘Don’t, Tash,’ I say. McKenna and Brennan have left the room to speak to the officer who was posted outside and who came to get me out of Derek’s house.
‘No, seriously, what the hell? We’ve been out knocking on doors, handing out photos of Ellie, scouring every f*****g inch of the area and you’re, what, ransacking some old guy’s house?’
‘Tash, I know. But you have to just believe me, alright? I want Ellie back as much as you do. More than you do.’
‘More than I do? A
