“Nothing yet.” Ellie monitored the screen of her pink glittery phone. “She hasn’t even read my text.”
“Thanks,” Varesh said. “I’ll try Tim.” He wandered over to the television as if the images were pulling him in against his will, taking his phone out and firing off a text.
A helicopter hovered above the crowd, the camera operator panning over the pack from front to back. Everyone was still moving at an orderly pace, but I doubted it would last long.
Just as the thought entered my head, four motorbikes rolled up on the protest.
The riders revved their engines and gestured at the crowd, ramping up the tension.The one at the rear raced around a couple of cops on horseback, while the rider at the front peeled ahead and performed a donut, balancing on one foot while smoke spread around him.
The on-scene reporter spoke rapid-fire, while the cameraman struggled to hold steady as the two of them followed the crowd’s progress.
The extra noise and activity seemed to flip a switch, and a few men at the head of the pack broke?into a run to get to Parliament House faster.
As the group spread out and created gaps between each person, I picked up on a few weapons hidden at their sides. A baseball bat, a crowbar. The reporter frantically mentioned spotting an axe.?
My breath stalled in my chest. Owen’s features tightened. ?
“It’s going to turn into a riot,” Varesh said in an offhand way.
“Still no answer from Sadie,” Ellie confirmed, her voice a little less confident now.
I nodded, my pulse thrumming away as I watched the TV.
As the protest continued along the planned route, several women splintered off and kept their children close. I wished I could make the others do the same and stay far away from whatever was brewing down there.
My eyes narrowed as one of the riders tore past the outer edge of the crowd and clipped a woman. On purpose or not, I couldn’t tell, but she screamed and let go of her child’s hand a split second before she went flying. Her young son ran to her crying, and I exhaled hard, thankful my sister and niece were nowhere near the more populated areas.?
Ellie dropped the chip bag on the couch and grabbed Owen’s elbow as if he could help the woman. “Dad, look at her little boy!”?she said, shaking him.“Look at his face.”
All we could do was stand there and take it all in.
The door to the rooftop opened again, and Laura came outside with Willow close behind.
No smiles today.
For some reason, her flat expression sent a trickle of alarm through me. It was like the shutters had been lowered, and she didn’t want to pretend anymore.
“Are you watching?” she asked, checking to see if the TV was on.?
“I wish we weren’t.” Owen lifted his other arm for Willow to slip under, and she went straight to him.?
Seeing all the blonde hair reminded me of Sadie, and it registered just how long she’d been gone.
My heart lurched, and I had to accept it wasn’t a delayed payment terminal.
Something had gone wrong.
I stepped away from the group and checked over the wall, rubbing the heel of my palm against my chest.
Why didn’t I just invite myself along on their trip instead of stopping by Dustin’s place? I could have been with them now, helping with whatever was holding them up.
The sound of an incoming engine drifted on the air, and I snapped to attention.
Come on, Sadie. Come home.
The vehicle appeared, and my stomach dropped.
A green Jeep.
