Vortex straightened. “Amy’s walking Arabella now.”
He raced out of the clubhouse, and I leapt to my feet and chased him. We headed towards the path, annoyed by the crowds. People were fuckin’ everywhere, and we had to shove our way through. We ducked down the alley leading to the schoolhouse and heard a baby crying. Vortex surged ahead, and I spotted what he had. A pram alone near the schoolhouse.
“Arabella!” Vortex cried and snatched her up. My heart sank, and my blood ran cold when I saw the abandoned pram.
Amy was gone.
Vortex’s frantic gaze raked the surroundings, but there was no sign of her.
Amy
Arabella was restless, so I dressed her warmly and put on my own outer garments. Fresh air and a walk would do her good. As soon as she was tucked into her pram and moving, Arabella quietened down. I shook my head with a smile. She was an easy-going little thing, but she had an attitude sometimes.
We window-shopped for about twenty minutes walking down the wooden walkway before turning around to go back. As we neared the alley that led to the schoolhouse, I thought I saw a shadow move down it. Strange, there was no reason for anyone to be there.
“Help!” a faint cry echoed, and I paused. “Is somebody there? Can you help? I’ve fallen.”
“Oh blast,” I muttered, unable to ignore a cry for help. I pushed Arabella down the path, and someone grabbed me. I instantly shoved the pram away so it didn’t get knocked over, and something closed over my mouth.
Desperately, I began kicking and trying to scream, but who knew chloroform could take effect so quickly?
“I have you now,” a voice murmured in my ear.
Yes, you fuckin’ did.
Vortex
“Anything?” I demanded, pacing back and forth. Drew glanced up from the monitor and shook his head.
“Fucker was aware of the cameras. Not a single shot of his face. He carried Amy out through the park.”
“That doesn’t make sense. There’s no road there,” I railed.
“That’s the way he headed. I’ve sent Bow,” Drew replied.
As soon as we had Arabella safe and sound in the clubhouse, Inglorious and Drew came straight to the sheriff’s office, where every camera in town fed into. Drew had already been searching,alerted by Inglorious. Doc had met us back at the clubhouse, and I’d paced anxiously for him to confirm Arabella was unhurt. No sooner than the words left his mouth than I’d raced over here.
Twenty minutes had now passed since we got the call from Klutz. But Amy had been gone at least half an hour. She could be fuckin’ anywhere. I continued pacing back and forth as we waited for Bow to reply. I felt like I was coming out of my skin. The urge to search was nearly overwhelming. But that was pointless. Until we had a direction, we’d be running around like idiots. Five more minutes ticked past, and the MC was congregating in the sheriff’s office.
One by one, they came, all ready to give me whatever support I needed. Shockingly, even Gravey appeared—although he stood away from everyone.
“Fucker used a dirt road. I’ve found an abandoned ATV here. It’s one of ours. There are track marks from a truck, I think. The tyres are deep and wide.” Bow radioed through. “There’s also a rag dropped on the ground. I smell chloroform on it.”
“Shit. Which way did he go?” Drew asked.
“I reckon he’s used the back roads and headed for Nemo Rd. Once there, it’s anyone’s guess,” Bow replied.
“Fuck, we don’t even know what he’s driving!” I exploded. We had nothing. This asshole had Amy, and we had no lead.
“The I90. He’d head there,” Drew considered.
“That would make sense,” Inglorious said.
“Agreed,” Drew nodded.
“Get on your bikes, start looking, this fucker’s not going to go far,” Inglorious ordered.
“We’re running around like headless chickens,” I snapped.
