Betrayed (4 page)

Chapter Five

Justin arrived at Ginger’s a little past 6 a.m. The sun peeked over the horizon, and the birds were already singing. If it had been any other day, Justin and Ginger would look forward to what might lie ahead for them, but it wasn’t a normal day. Despite the warmer temps and the chirping birds, a grey cloud hung over them. The only bright spot for Justin was seeing Ginger’s smiling face when she opened the door. She gave him a hug. It was spontaneous, not something Ginger thought about doing. He just looked like he needed one.

“It’s good to see you,” Justin said. “You’re like a bright spot in a nightmare.”

“I want to do anything I can to help,” Ginger said as she grabbed her coat. “I’ve already asked my boss, and we can use their Xerox machine to print the flyers. They’re closed today since its Saturday, so we won’t have to deal with anyone.”

“That’s awesome…let’s go.”

Justin explained more about his family and Amy in particular on their way to Ginger’s office. By the time they arrived, Ginger felt like she knew Amy already. She hoped she would get to meet her soon.

They printed 200 flyers and made their way back to the clubhouse. Justin handed out stacks of flyers to the club members with instructions on where to place them. The objective was to put them in high traffic areas, especially foot traffic, where people could see them easily.

“Lily, did Amy tell you about some new boyfriend?” Justin asked as he continued to hand out the flyers.

“Well, I wouldn’t call him her boyfriend. They just went out a couple of times, and I don’t think Amy was all that into him. I don’t think they’ve seen each other for a couple of weeks now, although she did say he kept calling her.”

“Do you have his number?”

“What? No. It may be in her cell phone.” Lily bit her lip as she realized Amy’s cell phone hadn’t been found and was likely with her. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay Lily. I’m just wondering why I didn’t know about him.”

“It was just two dates, and she wasn’t interested in him….I think she just didn’t deem it worthy to tell you about it.”

“Well, let’s get going, everyone,” Justin said to the group.

He looked at Connor and Lily. “Ginger and I are headed over to the police station and to Amy’s workplace. I’ve got to find out if she even made it to work.”

“Okay, man, we’ll keep checking in.”

Connor and Lily headed out on his bike with other club members following suit. Justin and Ginger remained in the SUV so he could hear his cell phone should it ring with information on Amy.

Justin checked his watch. Amy’s workplace wouldn’t open for another half hour, so he decided to head to the police station first.

“Do you think this boyfriend or guy she dated has anything to do with her disappearance?”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure as hell going to talk with him.”

Ginger saw a change wash over Justin. The glimmering green glow of innocence and hope flickered out as darkness settled into his eyes and the pensive furrows of his face. Of course she hadn’t known him that long, but she hoped it was something fleeting, as it unsettled her. Ginger was a sweet girl and not use to being around harsh inked bikers.…although yesterday Justin hadn’t seemed that way to her. Yes, he had the tattoos and the worn leather cut, but he seemed so controlled and gentle then.  She still believed in Justin’s good heart, and that let her see the excitement and joy that could be found in this very different lifestyle.

But now she was beginning to see a different side, one that sent off alarm bells in her brain. Like a powder keg one spark away from exploding, there was a slow boil going on beneath the surface of this powerful man, and she was afraid that all hell would break loose if it ever broke through.

Justin looked over at Ginger and gave her a weak smile. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you home?”

“No,” Ginger said, not sure if she was making the right decision. “I want to help any way I can. Just tell me what to do.” She did want to help because that was in her nature, but that dark look haunted her. It was gone in a flash, but she didn’t know this man. Could there be a sinister part of him she wasn’t aware of yet? She remembered the words on the clubhouse door. What exactly was the code that the Warriors lived by? Was she getting in over her head? Into something she would regret? She thought of the tender moments she had shared with Justin and snapped back to reality as he broke the silence.

“Just you being here by my side is helping more than you know,” Justin said. “You remind me to let my head be in charge over my instincts.”

His gentle smile washed away any fear she felt at the moment. He was back to being the man she first met, although with a heavy load on his mind. Ginger wrote off the incident as one of coping with a stressful situation. Unfortunately, she would find that Justin could lose control and unleash his immense power hastily, especially when he thought someone had hurt one of his own.

*****

The visit to the police station didn’t turn up much of anything new. They also warned Justin to let them handle any questioning. Of course that wasn’t going to stop him. He would question whoever he felt might have information on his missing sister.

The next stop was Amy’s workplace, which had just opened for business. In the automotive industry, working Saturdays was a must, so Amy usually had a day off during the week. Ginger and Justin walked into the office where a receptionist sat behind a desk.

“Can I help you?” the young lady asked.

“I’m Justin Taylor, and Amy Taylor is my sister. She’s been missing since yesterday morning, and I need to know if she came into work yesterday.”

“Wait one moment while I get a hold of her boss, Mr. MacGregor.”

Justin and Ginger stepped away from the receptionist’s desk while she made the call. Once she was finished she told them to take the elevator to the 10
th floor to Mr. MacGregor’s office.

MacGregor was waiting at his office door when Justin and Ginger got off the elevator. He was a man in his 30s, not quite six feet tall, with a medium build and eyeglasses. He stuck out his hand for Justin to shake.

“I hope I can be of help.”

“I hope so too,” Justin said as he shook his hand. “Did Amy make it to work yesterday?”

“Actually, she didn’t, but I did receive a text from her. Here…I’ll show it to you.”

Ginger thought it was odd that the man didn’t invite them into his office. Instead, he seemed to be standing guard in the doorway.

Mr. MacGregor took his phone from his suit pocket, punched a few buttons, and then showed Justin the text. It said
Running a fever. Won’t be in today
.

Maybe she caught the same bug that Connor had,
Justin considered. “Is it normal for her to send a text like that?”

“Actually, it’s not. I mean, I do send occasional texts to her regarding business matters, but if she’s sick, she always calls.”

“What time did the text come in?” Ginger asked.

Justin was glad she asked the question. Normally he would think to ask it, but his mind wasn’t as clear as it usually was. Stress can do that.

MacGregor looked at his phone. “It says 10:15 a.m.”

“That seems late to be calling in sick,” Justin replied.

“That’s another thing that’s out of character for her. She would always call at least half an hour before starting time to let the receptionist or someone know she wasn’t coming in for the day.”

“Thank you, Mr. MacGregor, for taking the time to speak to us,” Ginger said.

“Yes, thank you,” said Justin, handing him his business card from Big Red’s. “If you can think of anything else, please let me know.”

“I certainly will. Amy is a wonderful employee, and we all think highly of her around here.”

Ginger noticed that the man spoke of Amy in the present tense, which was encouraging. Justin made their farewells.

“The police may be coming by to talk to you. Would you mind not telling them we were here? They don’t want me sticking my nose into the investigation, but I can’t sit by and wait.”

“I completely understand. I won’t say a word.”

They thanked MacGregor again and walked back to the elevator.

“What do you think of that text message?” Ginger asked.

“Well, it’s another piece of the puzzle, but it doesn’t sound like Amy.”

“Do you think someone else sent the text?”

Justin didn’t want to think that, but it was looking more and more like foul play…like someone had taken his sister, and then sent the text to keep people from looking for her. But who? Was it someone she knew? Or a stranger?

Justin knew that it was possible a stranger could have come into the home after Aaron left and made her drive to a secondary location, but the odds of that happening weren’t great. Normally it was someone the victim knew.

Ginger was thinking the same exact thing, but she didn’t want to say it out loud. No reason to upset Justin anymore than he already was, but she knew denying the distinct possibility of foul play could ultimately cost Amy her life. Fortunately it was Justin who came out and said it first.

“I’m starting to wonder if she’s been taken, but who would do that?”

“Justin, I don’t know Amy, but was she seeing anyone?”

“Lily and Aaron said she went out on a few dates with this guy, but that’s all. Lily said Amy wasn’t interested in him but he’d kept calling.”

Justin’s radar went on alert. He’d been trying not to think of the worst where Amy was concerned, but he could no longer push it out of his mind. He also knew by letting the thought of someone hurting his sister into his brain, he was unleashing his inner beast. He didn’t want to do that in front of Ginger. She was a kind soul; he already knew that about her. And despite what was going on in his life, he felt an odd peace with her. He knew she was good for him, but was he good for her? Right now he couldn’t take the time to think it out. He had to find his sister.

“Lily gave me his name. See if you can bring his address up online.”

Ginger got her phone out and pecked away. “Okay, what’s his name?

“Sam Pennington. I’m not sure of the spelling, but try it different ways and see what comes up.”

“Sam Pennington, 143 Harris Avenue.”

“That’s not far from here. Let’s go pay Sam a visit.”

“Justin, do you think that’s wise? I mean, maybe the police should speak to him first.”

“I know what you’re saying is right, Ginger, but I can’t just wait on them. I have to talk to him now.”

But Justin would have to wait since Sam wasn’t home. He made some calls to his club. They were to have “church” as soon as everyone made it back to the clubhouse.

Lily stopped by Amy’s house and picked up Big Red and Aaron and brought them to the clubhouse that morning. Connor stopped by Red’s house and brought a change of clothes for him and another oxygen tank. Red used the oxygen 24/7, so he went through a lot of tanks.

Lily made a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast for Red and Aaron in the clubhouse kitchen, but neither ate.

“You guys need to eat, especially you Red. You need to keep up your strength. Do it for Amy.”

Red didn’t answer, just pushed his plate aside. He stood up and walked out of the kitchen into the clubhouse.

“Well, at least you eat,” Lily said as she looked at Aaron. He picked up a piece of bacon and chewed on it. She ruffled his hair and walked out of the kitchen. Connor was coming in the clubhouse door carrying one of the oxygen tanks.

“Hey Red, let me check the gauge on your tank, see if you need a new one.”

The gauge read 50%. “I think you’re okay for a while.”

Red didn’t say a word, just looked out the club window like he had done at Amy’s house.

Connor walked over to Lily and said, “How’s he doing?”

“Not good. He won’t eat or talk. I’m worried about him.”

“Yeah, we all are. How are you holding up?”

“Not good either,” Lily said as her eyes filled with tears. “What’s happened to her, Connor?”

Connor put his arms around her. “I don’t know, babe. I just don’t know.”

Justin and Ginger walked in the door. Lily quickly wiped her eyes with a tissue.

“Is everyone here?” Justin asked.

“Everyone but Merlin,” Connor replied.

“I can’t wait on him. Let’s get started. Lily, would you mind keeping Ginger company until we’re done?”

“Of course. Come with me Ginger. I just put on another pot of coffee. Would you like a cup?”

“That would be wonderful.”

Justin turned to Ginger and said, “I won’t be long.”

“Take all the time you need.”

Justin smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek before walking into the meeting room. The rest of the guys filed in, leaving Big Red alone staring out the window. Aaron joined Red and started playing a game on his phone.
If it keeps his mind occupied,
Ginger thought,
it’s a good thing
.