It was an auction area and it didn’t take a genius to figure out for what.
His mind flashed back to Shay. She’d come from upstairs. Had been afraid. Had she been with someone and found out about and ran or could she be a victim of trafficking and managed to escape.
He needed to find her again. If she was connected to this place she was in danger. He had to warn the guys too. This was no longer a simple drug bust case.
He was going to have words with Greg about his informant. The guy had been way off. There wasn’t a drug deal going on. Far from it. The case files on his desk from Oregon flashed through his mind. Could it be in connection or just a coincidence. Trafficking happened everywhere around the world. That didn’t mean this was in relation to that case.
“Hey,” An angry male voice called from the end of the hall when he stepped out. “What are you doing up here?”
Drew held up his badge as he walked toward him. “Bill Monty, fire inspector.”
“An inspector has already been through here.” The man eyed him suspiciously.
“Well, Mr. Sykes asked me to come personally to look things over. May I ask who you are?” Upon closer inspection Drew recognized him from last night. He’d been one of the bouncer on the stairs checking people’s wristbands.
“Why would Mr. Sykes need two fire inspectors?” The guy asked instead of answering his questions.
“That’s something you’ll have to take up with him. Can you tell me anything about last night? It will help speed up my investigation.”
“Mr. Sykes didn’t tell you?”
Man, the guy was defense or knew Drew was lying. Either case wasn’t good for him. He wouldn’t be getting answers from this guy.
“You know what, I’ll follow up with him along with some notes I’ve made.” Drew passed him and went downstairs veering to the security room. He needed to collect his usb. Lucas would kill him if he left it behind.
Retrieving it be made a B line for the exit. He could see the bouncers eyes on him the whole time. Hopefully Lucas got what he needed because he doubted he’d be able to set foot in the club again without being recognized.
Drew jumped into his car, backtracking his steps to where he dropped Shay off. That woman had some explaining to do. He didn’t to be smart about his questions though. She was skittish enough. If he pressed her too fast too hard she’d bolt, then he’d never find out what happened last night.
Damn, once again she’d managed to distract him. He hadn’t read the signs that she was a victim from last night. He had just assumed she was scared after the fire. She was mostlikely on the run either from a boyfriend involved with last night or being a victim of the traffickers herself. Either way he needed to find her before they did.
Traffickers didn’t take lightly their merchandise getting away or leaving witnesses to testify against them. From where he’d dropped Shay off there was a police station two blocks up. That was most likely where she’d been headed. She’d given him a false address to throw him off and like a sucker he’d fallen for it.
Not again. He would ward himself against her wiles. He would treat her like any other witness or client. With indifference.
Drew punched the gas hoping he wouldn’t be too late.
Chapter 9
“Here you go, hon.” A female police officer handed Shay a steaming mug. “The coffee here isn’t the best, but it’s warm.”
“Thank you.” Shay took it gratefully. She was hungry and thirsty. After being half starved the past few days she didn’t care what anything tasted like, she was just grateful to have something she didn’t fear was poisoned.
After waiting inside the Youth Clinic for a few minutes to make sure Drew didn’t circle back and catch her she went to the police station. By the time she reached it she was out of breath and her legs shaking from lack of food and water. Her vision was blurry again and her head was spinning faster than a kids top.
The officer at the front counter recognized her. She managed to say ‘I need help’ before her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she crumbled on the linoleum floor.
She’d come to in the Police Chief’s office on his couch. Once she was awake she’d told them everything about what happened to her.
“Can I get you anything else, Miss. Brady?”
“If its not too much trouble something to eat. I’d be thankful for even a candy bar.” Her dad didn’t normally allow her to indulge in sweets. Image was everything to him and he claimed a healthy image was best.
He would just have to get over it. A salad was not going to sustain her at the moment.
The officer grimaced. “I’ll see what I can find. I might have to run somewhere to get something. The pickings can be slim.”
“Don’t put yourself out for me. I’m sure my dad’s people will be here soon.” Shay glanced up at the clock on the wall. She’d been here for almost an hour. “He was called right.”
