“I know you’re angry, Luke, and I know you want to find her, but you, of all people, know how important it is to keep a clear head. This is what you counsel people about on a daily basis… helping them find other solutions to their problems which do not include going vigilante.”
He handed me a piece of paper. “I called in a favor before dinner. This is where your car was last located. I had a guy go over there, unofficially,” he said quickly. “The car was locked and empty. Seems like wherever she went, she went on foot, so I don’t think she’s far away unless she decided to take a bus. It’s a main route, so if she did get on a bus, she could be heading anywhere right about now. The shopping center is located just outside an industrial area. I’d start looking there if I were you.”
I trusted my brother’s instinct. He had a feeling about these things.
“I’m up for Chief of Police in a few months,” he shared.
I grinned. “I am so proud of you, big brother.” And I truly was.
“It was about time too. A third baby sure does take a knock on the finances.” He didn’t sound too happy about it, but maybe it was just a reflection of my own feelings.
“I need you to understand I would not do this unless I truly believed in her innocence. I have to try to get there as soon as I can. It’s a long drive, so I’d better get a move on.” I got up to leave.
“Be safe, Luke,” he said, standing and offering me a quick hug, and I headed off.
I thought about his words on the drive to the bus terminal. Parking my brother’s car, I assessed my surroundings. It was quiet, but I didn’t expect it to be busy at this time of night. Walking over to the counter, I booked a bus. It would be harder for Seth to trace. He only gave me the SUV so he could keep tabs on it. It was his wife’s car, and he was paranoid about his family’s safety.
I’d arrive at where he believed Alyssa was and get a rental car for the rest of the trip. He knew where I was going but not the exact location, which would buy me time. If she wasn’t there, I didn’t know what the fuck I’d do. But one thing I knew about Alyssa, she would not run until she knew where her daughter was.
I had nothing and was acting on hope alone, but sometimes, hope was all one needed.
ChapterThirty-Five
Alyssa
The cold seeped into my bones, and I rubbed my hands together to keep warm. I’d been lucky to find this old, abandoned warehouse. As cold and miserable as it was, it was perfectly located. It was day two of my stakeout, and I was starving. Protein bars weren’t food, but I needed to stay out of sight a little longer, so it was all I had.
I checked my gun a few hundred times, aiming, getting used to the feel of it in my hands. I had accepted I may have to use it, and I would if it meant getting my daughter back.
At times, I felt like an idiot. I was sitting there waiting and had no actual confirmation my daughter was being detained here—just the scribblings of an untrustworthy source. Squashing the piece of paper, I stuffed it into my jacket. I’d read the words over and over again, looking for other clues, but there were none.
This street was busy during the day. Vehicles drove the stretch collecting or delivering. There was no activity in the warehouse across from me, and I knew tonight was the night I would have to make a move. There were two exits and one led down to the underground parking. It was built similar to this one, and from here, I could tell there was one lock, much like the one I’d broken the day I’d gotten in here.
I wasn’t dumb enough to believe it was that easy, but I had to do something. When night fell, the cold seemed to get worse. Tossing my bag in a corner, I stuffed my gun in the waistband of my jeans and exited the warehouse. I picked up a brick I would probably need, then walked briskly across the street. With my heartbeat pounding in my ears, I scanned the area.
When I was certain there was nobody around, I started slamming the brick against the lock. It gave in after the fifth hit.
I heaved a breath. The anxiety was overwhelming as my eyes kept assessing the area. Every shadow was another reason to flinch. I hated I didn’t have a hairband to control my hair because every time a strand moved, it freaked me out.
Slowly, I opened the latch, and the old door strained and creaked from the effort. Every sound was another reason for me to fear my life. The shadows seemed to be growing and getting closer with every noise that broke the silence.
After I entered the dark warehouse, I closed myself in quickly. Puffs of air floated up into the darkness. I couldn’t see anything, but I knew better than to turn on my flashlight. I’d have to play it by ear.
Feeling in front of me, I noticed I was in some kind of passage and put one foot in front of the other, my breathing the only audible sound. It was freezing in here, and my jeans were no protection. Thankfully, my long boots helped. I patted my gun, and the cold metal gave me comfort. I was not alone.
Further down the corridor, suddenly, a dim light came into view. It wasn’t much, but I could make out that the hall ended in emptiness. I breathed a sigh of relief but knew I needed to move fast and get as high as possible. There was no ceiling, but I’d been camping on beams that could carry my weight and conceal me from view. Climbing the metal staircase, I was careful not to make a sound.
I couldn’t believe I was in. I’d imagined it lying in the warehouse last night, but I didn’t for the life of me think it would be this quick.
Climbing up the small wooden ladder resting against one of the walls, I got to a landing and pulled myself up to the beams. I crept on my hands and knees and got onto the widest one I could find. It was as broad as a single bed extending from one corner of the warehouse. I could lie on it on my stomach, and when the lights were on, I’d probably be able to see the entire warehouse below.
I’d emptied my bladder before I came on this mission and realized that would be my only challenge. One I would have to find a way to deal with. I laid on my back for a while, a pounding in my ears reminding me I was still alive.
I’d done it, I reminded myself.
The sounds of male voices shouting down below startled me. I must have dozed off. Running a hand over my face, I sucked in a breath, letting it leave my lungs slowly. My body ached from lying in one position for who knows how long. I knew I was a good few feet above them, but it still freaked me out.
What if they had motion detectors in this shithole?
