Dad studies the map for a while. “Doesn’t look like any churches are located near the ACME businesses.” He looks at the security photo of the man from the bar, deep in thought.“Instead of a church bell, could it have been a ferry bell? The kind on a river taxi?”
I think back. “Yeah, I suppose it could have been that.” I zoom in on the map and scan each of my pinned locations to see if any are located near piers with ferry access. “The ACME Smoked Salmon plant. It’s the only one.”
“You think you would recognize the guy if you saw him again?”
I lift my gaze to my father’s and feel winded at the hope in his eyes. “There’s only one way to find out.”
“Wait, no. I shouldn’t have even suggested it. We should call the police if we have a lead on this guy.”
“Dad, he said he’d know. What if he hurts Elio?”
We stare at one another, equally uncertain and terrified. Dad eventually lowers his gaze defeatedly.
“Maybe you watch from a distance and see if you can spot him. If so, then you can call the cops.”
I nod, desperately needing to dosomething.
We learn the shifts start at 5 a.m. Dad only allows me to go if I agree to get some rest in the meantime, since we hardly slept the night before. I can’t imagine I’ll sleep again tonight, considering the speed of my racing thoughts, but in no time at all, my alarm is going off at 4 a.m.
It’s dark, but at least it’s not cold, and the processing plant has one main entrance, which also helps. I park the family car where I have the best view of the arriving employees, roll down my window, and wait.
The first shift of workers lopes into the building one after another. At midmorning, another crew begins to filter in. I study one after the other until I see a man who draws my attention. I can’t be sure without a closer look, so I exit the car.
Yes, this man is definitely familiar.
I’m considering whether to call the police, as my dad instructed me to do, when the man notices me. He freezes, his face blanching with shock, before he drops his lunch pail and bolts in the opposite direction.
Adrenaline has me flying in an instant. It’s a good thing, too, because he’s fast. We both careen across the main roadway and away from the isolation of the fish plant. He weaves down sidewalks and across busy streets with me not far behind. I can’t make up ground, but I’m not losing him either.
We wind our way back toward the riverfront before he disappears into an old building. It’s part of an abandoned industrial complex. I follow him inside but slow to a careful creep, not wanting to end up with a bullet in my face.
The place is filthy. Operations ended here long ago, though the equipment is all still present and accumulating dust. I crouch, slinking from one vantage point to another, keeping myself hidden while continuing farther into the building. The sound of frantic muttering has me pausing. I can’t make out what he’s saying or whether there are other people present.
Noticing a large wrench, I grab it and inch forward.
The man stands in an open area where several thick, rusted chains hang from the rafters. He’s pacing back and forth, cursing and chattering nonsensically while pulling at his short hair.
He appears to be alone. I consider calling the police when my gaze is drawn to the ground beneath his feet, where a massive section of concrete is stained bloodred.
CHAPTER 22
TERINA
Present
The second DiAngelodisappears after reprimanding me about feeding Bonny, I give the dog my entire slice of toast, just to spite him. Being angry is easier than being hurt, and damn did his comment sting.
I hate that I’m wreaking havoc on his life. I hate it more than he could ever know. That’s why I wasn’t over the moon about anyone serving as my bodyguard. I don’t want the taint of my life spilling over onto anyone else. Ever.
What I don’t get is why he lashed out. It wasn’t about the dog, that’s for sure. And tensions between us had settled after the snake incident. We spent most of the day in peaceful coexistence. All I can figure is that the outburst stemmed from his unexpected appearance in the bedroom last night.
He hadn’t seemed angry about what I was doing—his thoughts seemed more concerned about his lack of involvement. Why would that upset him? I don’t get the sense he feels unjustly entitled. So why was he upset?
I have no freaking clue.
And I’m not feeling particularly forgiving about his behavior. He doesn’t get to treat me like crap when I’ve had no say in any of this. If he has a problem with his bodyguard assignment, he can damn well take it up with my brother.
“Come on, Bonny, let’s get cleaned up.”
