Chapter Thirteen
“You have to give ittime, Adam.”Adam paced the room, every few seconds glancing at the computer as the data came through at a snail’s pace.
“I don’t have time, and you know it, Eddie.They’ve probably already figured out she’s lost her stuff, which means they’re going to either move her or kill her.”
He swallowed hard, trying to remain professional without losing his mind.They could kill her if he didn’t hurry up.He knew how those guys worked.Once they found out what had happened, that she’d been with a cop, and they would know, they’d relocate her or murder her and dump her in the harbor.
“All right, so we’ve got a few locations—”
Adam pushed his colleague aside and skimmed through the screen.He recognized some of the addresses as the bars he’d been looking for her in—The Gin Room, Olives, Bar 22—but there was one which was new and appeared several times.
“That one.That’s the one.I’m heading in that direction.”
“Adam, you need to—”
“I’m gone.Get reinforcements,” he called.
He sprinted outside and onto his motorcycle, which was the only way to get quickly through the city of New York.Revving up the engine, he zigzagged his way through the cars.His heart thrummed so loudly he barely heard the other vehicles honking at him or the drivers swearing at his recklessness.Would Katya still be there?Would she be okay?He didn’t want to contemplate the possible scenarios where the answer was no.
Adam couldn’t tell how long it took to arrive at the gray building, but it hadn’t been fast enough.The moment he stopped his motorcycle, he knew whoever had been there was gone.The worn brick façade and rusted fire escape was just one of many in the area.The windows were smeared with dust, and some panes were cracked.Torn flyers and graffiti painted the wall into a grotesque mask.The main door was open, inviting anyone to step inside.The smell of cigarettes clung heavy in the air.A lopsided homemade sign with the word, BROKEN, hung on the elevator buttons.He made his way to the stairs.Dirt and wrappers littered every step.He didn’t know where Katya had been, but he’d check every room if necessary.He started on the first floor.The first room was empty, except for an upturned chair and clothes strewn on the floor.They weren’t Katya’s.He entered two more before finding hers.The bed was undone, the window still open and letting in a cool draft.Somehow, the place smelled of her: like lotus flowers and fresh springs.Adam searched the space.The few clothes she had, one of them, the dress she’d been wearing the first night they met, hung from the closet.He skimmed the fabric, recalling the softness of her skin.Making his way to the bathroom, he saw her makeup and creams still there, as if she’d left in a hurry and hadn’t been able to pack.A bitter taste filled his mouth, and he spit on the sink.He caught a glance at himself in the mirror.Disheveled with a mad look in his eyes.
“Katya,” he murmured.
Turning on the faucet, he let the brown water run for a bit before it became clear enough for him to use.Splashing some of it on his face, he allowed the cool liquid to melt away the desperation threatening to overcome him.The water sluiced down the sink, taking everything away except his purpose.Find Katya.
Turning off the tap, he took in his reflection a final time.Determination glared back at him.
“I’ll find you, little one.”
Pulling out his phone, he quickly rang Eddie, while returning to the hallway.
“Ye-llow.”
“They’re gone, but they were here.The building was no doubt full.There are clothes, makeup, feminine products, the works.Everything left behind as they left in a hurry.”
“Shit.”
“I’ll call the boss, but can you do me a favor meanwhile?”
“Another one?”Eddie asked, amusement tinging his tone.“You’re going to owe me big time.”
Adam grinned.“If you find what I need, I’ll buy you lunch for a year.”
“I’ll take you up on that.What do you need?”
“Are there any CCTV cameras near this location?”
“Most likely.I’ll see what I can find.I’ll call you back in a few.”
“Thanks, man.”
“You’ve got it.”
Adam took a deep breath and rang a second number.
