Indigo Smith was likely too smart to have left any clues, but the bank’s video surveillance showed her with the shifter in Wheeler’s car. It was the last place Francine had been seen.
It was a place to start.
They found Wheeler’s car quickly in the employee parking area. It was unlocked. Diesel and Raphael opened the front doors and scanned every inch of the floorboards and seats. Lucy and Wyatt did the same to the back.
Raphael saw nothing, not a strand of hair, not a crumb. He sat in the front passenger seat, pulled down the visor. He looked in the cup holders of the console. Nothing there. He opened the glovebox, expecting to see more nothing.
His heart nearly stopped.
He reached inside and pulled out the violet diamond ring he’d given Francine. The instant he saw it, he realized he might have been able to track her through a material trace of the violet diamonds. The gemstones from Ichor-Delta were extremely rare on Earth. In fact, he was likely the only other person who wore one.
“This is Francine’s engagement ring,” Raphael said. The tone of his own voice surprised him. He sounded despondent when instead he was the very definition of determined. He would find her, whatever it took.
Lucy made a soft sound of dismay and touched his shoulder.
Wyatt said, “Pop the trunk latch, Diesel. Let’s take a look in there. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”
Diesel located and pushed a button on the driver’s console. A softpffmtsound came from the back of the car.
All four of them stepped out and gathered around the trunk area. Diesel slowly lifted the rear hatch. Raphael held his breath as the trunk lid rose up.
Would she be in there? Would she be alive? Shehadto be alive.
There was nothing in the trunk and, more importantly, no one. Raphael breathed out a sigh of relief. He wasn’t the only one.
“Now what?” Lucy asked.
Wyatt asked, “What does Indigo Smith want?”
Diesel narrowed his gaze. “He wants the gold ingots. At least that is what I’m assuming he wants. Why else would he make such an effort to get here after escaping the gulag?”
“Who would know where the gold ingots are stored right now?” Wyatt asked.
“Only a select few. Why?”
Wyatt stared at him. “Is Wheeler one of the select few?”
“Space potatoes!” Diesel straightened. “Yes. He knows.” Diesel shifted his gaze all around the area as if a horde of monsters was about to attack.
Wyatt said, “We better check and see if the gold ingots are still where you think they are.”
Everyone started to move except Raphael. “Why would Indigo Smith take Francine if Wheeler provided him with the information he needed?”
“Leverage?” Lucy asked.
“But he knocked Wheeler out to steal his carbeforehe took Francine and drove an hour away. Then he brought the car to the truck stop, but parked it in a different place? Why?”
“Maybe to ensure the information Wheeler gave him was right?” Lucy shrugged. “I’m not sure what answer you’re looking for.”
“This scenario seems off to me. My gut is telling me that something is not as it seems, but I can’t put a finger on what’s wrong.”
“Your gut aside, we need to go check on the gold ingot hiding place, don’t we?” Wyatt said. “Plus, if he’s got that treasure, he’ll have to find a way to transport it and that would take some doing. Maybe we can catch him in the act.”
“What if he’s watching us right now to see if we go to wherever the ingots are?” Raphael asked.
“We canwhat ifourselves until the next century dawns and not find the right answer, but I see your point, Raphael.” Diesel stared at the trunk, lost in thought for a few seconds before finally nodding. “I have an idea. Can you all just follow my lead, or do I need to give a lengthy explanation of every detail before we go?”
Wyatt, Lucy and Raphael exchanged amused looks and Raphael spoke for them. “We’ll just follow your lead, o Fearless Leader.”
