“Everything okay?”
“No. We have to go.” I jump to my feet, searching for our clothes that are strewn about.
Rory gets up and helps. “Home?
I slide one leg into my pants then the other. “Yeah. He said someone took Savannah.”
“Shit. Who?” Rory slips his shirt on, buttoning it up only halfway.
I slide my feet into my shoes, not bothering to find my socks. “I don’t know.”
Rory grabs the last few pieces of clothing he needs. “I’ll drive.”
Emergency lightson multiple vehicles flash in the night. A few people loiter like they’re just here for the drama of it all.
“Holy shit,” Rory curses, and drives the car as close as possible. He shifts the car into park, and we jump out, not bothering to retrieve the keys.
When we grab hold of the yellow crime scene tape, a police officer holds his hand up and stands in our way. “You have to stay behind the tape.”
“We live here,” I argue back.
Another man walks over, patting the officer on the arm. “They’re okay.” He leads us to the sidewalk in front of our building, where Hunter chews on his thumbnail, staring off into space. The man who let us through motions to himself andanother. “I’m Detective Zane Kingston, and this is Detective Liam James.”
Despite what Hunter said on the phone, I still ask, “Where’s Savannah?”
“Missing,” Hunter answers.
My chest hollows, and my hands shake.
Rory’s shoulders pull back as he bellows, “Why are we standing around here then? We need to get out there and find her.”
“I promise we’re doing everything we can,” Kingston assures us.
My eye twitches.
“Then why are you here?” Rory accuses.
James replies, “We need to ask you some questions.”
I finally break. “We don’t have time for questions!”
Kingston holds up his hands. “Look, I know what you’re feeling. The panic, the anger. I get it. I’ve been there. Trust me when I say that I want to help, and I will do everything in my power to find Savannah and bring her home. Asking you some questions will help me do my job.”
My jaw clenches. “Fine.”
Kingston and James lead us over to a black tarp on the ground that has a shape under it. Kingston crouches down and lifts one corner, showing us what’s under there. “Do you recognize him?”
What the hell is he doing here?
Hunter responds for all of us. “We only know him by his nickname. Slicer.”
James looks down at the pocket notebook in his hand. “The ID in his wallet says Peter Long. Do any of you recognize that name?”
Hunter, Rory, and I all shake our heads no, and I curse myself for not looking into Slicer sooner. I should’ve taken care of that.
“Witnesses said that they saw Peter arguing with Savannah. Then another man showed up and shot Peter. He chased Savannah but caught her quickly. Then he took her,” Kingston relays.
My gut twists. “Savannah wouldn’t go without a fight.”
