Distilled water. For baby formula.Shit, that explains why they didn’t think to call.
As I looked around, I saw Madi’s keys on the ground. I snapped a few pictures, then picked them up. When I tried the driver’s side door, it was unlocked.
Madi was ‘this’ close to making it safely into her car.
Nathan pulled in and parked next to me.
“Find anything?” His eyes were already scanning the scene.
“She didn’t leave voluntarily.” I held the keys up and nodded towards the cart.
Save your energy, Robinson. Letting your anger flare won’t help anyone.
“I’ll go talk to the clerk; ask if they have cameras.”
I snapped pictures as I searched for clues.
Nothing.
“Clerk didn’t see anything. The only camera points at the door.”
“Fuck.”
“A woman matching Madi’s description paid for the water.” He ran his hand through his dark hair. “Lock the Jeep.” He grabbed the cart handle. “Let’s take this to Jamie’s and figure out our next steps.”
I locked the Jeep as I told my phone to dial Jay. Nathan and I loaded the water into his truck while I waited for Jay to answer.
“What’d you find?” Jay asked as a greeting.
Fine by me; we didn’t have time to waste. I filled him in, appreciating his level head.
“Are you on your way back?”
“We’re leaving now.” I answered for both of us. “Tell Jamie Nathan has the distilled water.”
“Did you call the police?”
“Nathan’s on it.”
“I’ll call Sammie.”
Thank God SSI had officers from Weatherford’s finest on their payroll. We’d need all the help we could get.
When, because if wasn’t a concept I would consider, I found Madi, I’d grovel on my hands and knees and beg for her forgiveness.
I’d fucked up, twice in one day, and now Madi was suffering through God only knows what.
Images flashed through my mind, each worse than the last, of what Paul might do to her.
Molten lava flowed through my veins at the thought of him touching her.
If he hurt her in any way, shooting him would be too quick an end. I’d rip his fingers off while holding my boot to his throat.
I punched the dashboard.Get your shit together, Robinson.Acting out revenge scenarios wouldn’t help me find Madi.
“You’re better than this,” I told myself.
I spent the rest of the short ride to Jamie’s box breathing to get my mind and nerves under control.
