She gathered every inch of strength she had inside her. She would fight like a wildcat to get away. This had to work…it just had to!
She remained in position as minutes ticked by. She didn’t know how long she waited before she heard his footsteps coming back. She tensed, adrenaline rushing through her veins.
She heard the click of the door being unlocked and when he came through, she screamed and pushed to get past him. The plates he was carrying fell to the floor as he grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her back into the room.
She punched and kicked, still trying desperately to get through the door. He reared his arm back and hit her on her chin, the blow careening her backward as a horrendous pain stabbed through her jaw. She stumbled and fell to the floor on her hands and knees, panting from the exertion of her unsuccessful efforts.
“I don’t tolerate disobedience,” he said angrily. “Now, your dinner is all over the floor and that’s where you can eat it.” He stepped out of the doorway, slammed the door and then locked it once again.
Dominique slowly pulled herself up off the floor, silently weeping with pain and frustration. She sank down on the side of the bed as an icy chill walked up her spine. She now knew the man was not only delusional, but dangerous as well.
Chapter Fourteen
The nighttime hours passed in agonizing increments as Luke remained at the police station. He and Daniel had interviewed everyone who might be guilty and they’d come up empty-handed.
It was just after two in the morning, and Luke paced back and forth in the break room, his heart absolutely bleeding with the need to find her. Daniel was in his office, working to figure out where they went next. He had all the night force driving the streets and keeping an eye out for the missing woman.
However, Luke knew they had no place to go next. Luke now believed somebody who had not been on their suspect list was responsible. Hell, that could be almost any male in town.
It had been around ten when Adam Kincaid, one of the night cops, had driven through to get burgers for everyone. Luke’s burger remained untouched on the table. How could he eat when Dominique was missing? He had no appetite, except for his intense hunger to find Dominique.
Daniel had tried to get him to go home and get some sleep, but Luke refused to leave. He needed to be here in case something happened.
The last thing he wanted was for any of the night crew to find her on the street because that would mean they had found her body. Once again, he prayed that the person who had taken her didn’t hurt her.
He threw himself into a chair at the table and stared unseeing at the wall. Instead, he saw Dominique’s beautiful face and hergorgeous smile. Visions of her laughing and dancing in the rain, of her eyes sparkling so bright, rushed through his head.
He must have nodded off for he jerked awake as some of the day cops entered the break room. Morning. And still she was gone.
For the next two days they interviewed more people who had been in the café on the night she was taken. They spoke to more of the swamp people, but nobody had any news for them. It was as if a UFO had beamed her up without a trace.
During those two days, Luke ate only what he needed to keep going. He dozed in the murder room, what little sleep he got troubled and full of nightmares. He went to his home twice, just long enough to shower and change clothes.
Finally, desperate for answers, at nine in the morning he drove to the swamp wanting to touch base with Jacque LeBlanc. Jacque himself was shrouded in mystery. Nobody knew where he’d come from or anything personal about him. Luke didn’t care about any of that. What he did care about was the man was rumored to know what was going on in the swamp.
Jacque’s shanty was secluded but Luke had been there before when he and Daniel had first spoken to the man about Mystique’s murder.
This time, Luke was by himself as he made his way through the swamp. It was difficult for him to focus on anything but Dominique. He just wanted her to be found. He couldn’t imagine going on for the rest of his life not knowing what had happened to her.
Jacque’s shanty came into view and Luke hurried his footsteps to the front door. “Jacque, it’s Officer Madison,” he shouted as he knocked on the door.
The dark-haired, well-built man opened the door. “Officer Madison. How can I help you?”
“I’d like to ask you a few questions. Can I come in?”
The gator-hunter opened his door wider to allow Luke entry. The shanty was spotlessly clean with a dark gray sofa and chair and a large bookcase filled with books on all types of subjects. Definitely unusual in the world of gator-hunters.
“Please, have a seat.” Jacque gestured to the sofa. Luke nodded and sat. “Now, questions about what?”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard or not, but Dominique Santori was kidnapped three nights ago,” Luke said.
“Oh, I’ve heard. The swamp has been buzzing with the news. Dominique and her sisters are well-liked here,” Jacque replied.
Luke leaned forward. “Have you heard anything that might help us find her?”
“I’m afraid not. But I can tell you that I don’t believe she is being held here in the swamp. All the fishermen and gator-hunters are genuinely worried about her and secrets are hard to keep here,” Jacque said.
“I’m worried sick about her,” Luke replied, his desperation ringing in his voice.
