Chance Of Rain (18 page)

“You shouldn’t have been there!”

“They were running a meth lab. That’s ill—”

“About that…The way I see it, you owe us a lot of money too.
A lot
of money.”

The phone went dead.

XXV

My World Went Black

M
y dad had been
right
there, and with the hasty click of a button, he was gone. For the few minutes Anthony had him on the other end, I’d felt strong, like I could get through this. Now I felt my hope slipping.

The next thing I knew, my world went black. Anthony had slipped something like a black pillowcase over my head.

We didn’t drive too much farther before Erica pulled off the main road. She made a couple of turns, and then we parked.

Neither of them said a word as they led me out of the car and into what seemed like a warehouse. It was cold inside, and everything echoed, like the ceilings were high. The floor felt hard under my feet. It must have been concrete.

“Sit down,” Anthony demanded.

I immediately went to the floor and crossed my legs. I was close to a wall, so I leaned my back against it. I was exhausted mentally and physically, and I realized I was hungry too. I missed my mom and dad…and I missed Trent so much that it hurt.

I was glad I had something covering my face, because the thought of Trent made me want to cry. We had shared such a wonderful day together—the best one yet.

XXVI

Bri

B
ri was lying in bed but was having trouble falling asleep. One, the weather was crazy, and two, she wanted to arrange something for Ash’s birthday. It was in two days.

Bri didn’t need a reason to throw a party; she loved to plan them. She seriously considered being a party planner or wedding coordinator later down the road. She was really good at organizing get-togethers.

“Come on, Ash!” she said out loud. She looked at her phone’s screen. “Would you please answer my texts?”

She knew it was late, but she wanted to bug Ashley about homecoming too, and she wanted to know what the latest was with Trent, so she called her. The phone rang and rang then went to voice mail.

This went on for the rest of the night.

XXVII

Wednesday Morning

B
ri never touched base with Ash the previous night, so she decided to drive over to her house and see what was up and if she wanted a ride to school. As she pulled in, she got a horrible feeling.
What the…?

Mr. and Mrs. Devoe’s vehicles were there along with Trent’s Challenger and Chase’s truck, but Ash’s car was missing.

Beth opened the door as soon as Bri’s Chevelle pulled into the driveway. Her eyes were red and swollen.

“Wh-what’s going on Mrs. Devoe? Where’s Ash?”

Bri’s world was spinning in circles all around her. She was doing her best to come to grips with having just learned that her best friend in the entire universe was missing. She was now sitting somewhat comfortably on the sofa in the Devoes’ den. Beth walked back in with a glass of water.

“Here sweetie.” She handed the drink to Bri.

“Thank you.” She took a sip and then a gulp.

Beth took a deep breath then attempted to explain everything to Bri. “You remember the huge drug bust Mark made a few months ago?”

Bri nodded.

“During that bust, a man named Frank Summers was arrested, and a young woman named Jessie shot and wounded an officer. She then took aim at Mark.” She wiped her eyes. “So Mark did the only thing he could—he fired back. Jessie
died at the scene. She wasn’t just Frank’s accomplice; she was his daughter. Frank swore he’d get revenge. Someone’s been sending anonymous letters for months now, threatening Mark’s life.”

Bri gasped. “Ash never said a word about it.”

“She didn’t know,” Beth said, fighting back tears.

Beth continued, “We didn’t know who was helping Frank until a few hours ago. Someone named Anthony called. He said Jessie was his girlfriend, and he has Ashley.” She stared out the window then turned and smiled meekly. “I guess it was a mistake not to tell her anything. We didn’t want her to live in a perpetual state of fear and worry about her dad. Mark thought he was on the verge of finding out who was sending him the letters. It was all supposed to be over with by now.”

Beth paused then nodded toward Trent. “Travis was the officer who was wounded. He’s Trent’s cousin and Chase’s other nephew.”

Trent spoke up. “My cousin is still recovering from brain injuries at Collins Hospital. His wife is devastated.”

Bri realized that’s who Trent was seeing the other night.

“They’re the reason I said I’d help when Uncle Chase asked. They didn’t think Ashley was in any imminent danger—they just wanted to cover all their bases.” He smiled just a little. “Ashley wasn’t very fond of my Uncle Chase hanging around. That’s why they asked me to keep an eye on her.”

Trent closed his eyes. “I just graduated from the academy. They’re probably going to revoke my badge. I deserve it. I’ll give it to them gladly. I just want to get her back.”

Just then a knock came at the door, and two men stepped inside. Bri’s eyes were immediately drawn to the handguns that were holstered on their waists alongside their badges.

“Have you two found out anything about Ashley’s phone?” Mark asked them.

“We’ve got someone from the station on it now,” the taller one said.

All five officers formed a small huddle and spoke in hushed voices. Beth sat in silence next to Bri.

Bri quietly said, “Wow—an undercover officer! A bodyguard! It doesn’t get more exciting than this. Ash is going to flip. I can’t wait to see the look on her face.”

Beth smiled. “Thank you, Bri.”

“For what?”

“For your faith and optimism.” She reached over and squeezed Bri’s hand. “My daughter is so blessed to have a friend like you.”

XXVIII

High-School Address

I
t had been twenty-four hours since most of them had slept. The dark circles under their eyes attested to that.

Mark was now with Bri at the high school. Bri already had found her way to first period, and Mark was in the front office, preparing to address the entire school via the loudspeaker.

Principal Gavin Rayburn and Mark had known each other since they were kids.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am about all this,” Principal Rayburn said, as he patted Mark on the shoulder. “Please let me know if I can help.”

“You already did when you allowed Trent to enroll. I won’t ever forget that.”

After the Pledge of Allegiance and the usual barrage of school announcements, Principal Rayburn came on. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We’ve had something unfortunate befall one of our very own Mustangs, Miss Ashley Devoe. Her father, Officer Mark Devoe, is here to explain the situation and to ask for your help in the matter.”

Eyes widened with curiosity throughout the building. In Ms. Elliott’s room, every head turned to look at Bri Branson. Bri, who usually liked being the center of attention, shrank just a little in her beanbag chair.

After a short pause, Mark’s voice rang out. “Good morning.” He hesitated, trying to contain his emotions. “My daughter Ashley was kidnapped last night from her workplace, the Star-Lite Theater.”

Gasps and murmurs filled Ms. Elliott’s room. Angel, who was still looking a little pale, turned another shade lighter.

“We don’t have any news about her at this moment.” Again Mark paused; the anguish in his voice was evident. “We’re asking anyone with information, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, to please go to the front office immediately so they can get you in contact with me. Also, any students who are coworkers of Ashley, please have your teacher dismiss you to the front office immediately. According to my notes, that would be Blake Daniels, Angel Martinez, and Brianne Branson. However, Bri, since we’ve already spoken this morning, you don’t need to come down unless you have any additional information to give us. If there’s anyone else I’ve missed, please come now. And remember, we want to hear any information you may have. Perhaps there was a stranger you noticed recently. Or maybe you witnessed something that you blew off at the time but now seems suspicious to you. Please be alert, and keep your eyes and ears open. Thank you.”

All eyes were on Angel as he stepped forward to Ms. Elliot’s desk. She gave him a sympathetic smile and handed him a yellow hall pass as she nodded toward the door.

XXIX

Anthony and Jessie

I
awoke in a heap on the hard floor. The concrete was cold, and I was freezing all night. I sat up slowly, feeling stiff and achy. The bag was no longer on my head. I wasn’t sure whether one of them had removed it or if it had come off while I’d slept.

That night I dreamed I was safely at home, with Trent next to me on the lounge chair under my favorite burgundy throw. When I woke up, I was terrified to discover I was still here.

I tried to focus my eyes, but it was dark and difficult to see. After a few moments, I could make things out much more clearly. I saw Erica and Anthony in the far corner. They were eating and whispering.

Tattoos covered Anthony’s arms. Where his shirt opened, more ink sprawled over his chest and climbed his neck like a vine. His front tooth had a slight chip in it, and his hair was oily; it looked black. He looked as if he’d just walked out of prison.

Erica realized I was awake first. She looked at me then at Anthony. He picked up a pack of peanut butter crackers and a bottle of water and tossed them at me.

My mouth was parched, so I opened the bottle first. I felt my headache ease with each swallow. I wanted to gobble down the pack of crackers, but I didn’t. I ate them slowly, one by one, hoping they’d fill me up. I even considered saving some for later in case Anthony and Erica decided not to feed me again.

I thought back to last night when Anthony was on the phone with my dad, and a knot formed in my throat. I pushed it back down. Even though I’d only heard half the conversation, I knew the woman, Jessie, whom my dad had shot, had been Anthony’s girlfriend. I assumed Erica was his new fling. When I had a chance, I’d try to convince her to let me go.

XXX

Suspects

A
ngel approached the front office feeling both fear and guilt. He handed his pass to the frumpy secretary, who motioned for him to take a seat in a hard, orange, plastic chair. His leg bounced nervously up and down.

A few minutes later, a door to a small conference room opened, and Blake stepped out. The secretary signed Blake’s pass and sent him back to class. She then looked at Angel. “Officer Devoe will see you now.”

Angel walked into the room. It was bare; nothing was on the walls or windows. A single rectangular, fluorescent light hung at the center of the ceiling and made the white paint on the walls glow. Officer Devoe sat with his yellow notepad and pen at a rather large table with shiny silver legs and a faux-wood top. He looked tired. His clothes and hair were disheveled, and he needed to shave.

Mark had just answered his cell. He acknowledged Angel and motioned for him to take a seat.

“Her phone isn’t giving off a signal,” he said. His brows furrowed in frustration, and his eyelids were heavy with exhaustion. “Let’s get her photo to the local news stations and set up a tip line. Have some officers scout the area surrounding the theater on foot. Get them to go door to door as well. Let me know what you come up with. Thanks.”

Mark hung up and turned to Angel. “Angel Martinez, I presume.”

“Yes, sir.”

Mark felt a little guilty. He had heard Ashley mention Angel’s name a million times. He knew they were friends, but he had never taken the time to meet him, much less get to know him.

“You’re only in here because you work with Ashley at the theater, and that’s where she was abducted.”

Angel looked down. He could no longer make eye contact with Mark.

Mark immediately picked up on his behavior. He felt his blood pressure rise, but he controlled the urge to raise his voice. He didn’t want to frighten the kid. Angel might be his first real lead—maybe his only lead. He took a deep breath and, in a calm voice, asked, “Son, is there something you need to tell me?”

Angel shook his head. He couldn’t speak. His eyes welled up.

Mark leaned in toward him. “What is it? What do you need to tell me?” He hid his hands under the table so Angel couldn’t see his fists. His knuckles were white from being clenched so tightly.

XXXI

Here Goes Nothing

A
nthony got up and left the building.
Perfect!
I sat there for a while. I wanted to make sure he was gone, and I had to work up my courage. I finally decided I needed to say something before Anthony came back.

“Erica, I haven’t been to the restroom since last night,” I said.

She turned and looked at me with a blank stare. She barely resembled the girl I’d worked with. She was
so angry
.

“Please…I
really
need to go.”

She huffed like I was interrupting something important. “Fine. Get up and come on. Don’t do
anything
stupid—you’ll regret it if you do.” She was so calm that it was eerie.