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He shook his head. His eyes blinked with great rapidity. “I left ‘cause that cat ran from under your table.” He made eye contact and quickly looked away. “I’m scared of cats.”

After David’s call, Isaac and Skip met him in the alley where Chelsea’s car was still parked.

“It hasn’t been here too long. The engine’s still hot.” David came toward them, cleaning his hands on a handkerchief. “We’ve got everybody over there dusting for prints and anything else they can find.” He moved between Skip and Isaac. “That’s not all.”

Isaac felt strings of horror winding around his heart. His hands were shaking, and they shook even more when he saw the look on David’s face. He moved closer to Skip.

“Is it that bad?” Skip’s voice also trembled.

“We’re not sure. Come on over here.” He led them to his patrol car. “Now Isaac, I know you’re a little high strung. I would never trust myself to bring this bastard in and that goes double for you. You have to remain calm. We have too many officers around here for you to do something that could tarnish your career and get you in trouble.”

Isaac swallowed hard as the strings tightened until he was nearly breathless. “Just tell us.”

“Chelsea was seen with the suspect this morning.”

Skip nodded and Isaac asked, “So how did the car get here?”

“All we know is Chelsea walked out of the building with this man and drove off just before the police arrived.”

“So she was not hurt?” Isaac asked. “Chelsea is okay?”

“A man who lives next to the dry cleaners said she appeared to be. He and his brother were outside cutting up a tree that had fallen in his yard. He said the boy was sort of dragging Chelsea. They were going out to the fence to check it out, but she drove off before they got there.” David looked at them and dropped his head.

“I want to hear the rest of it.” Skip said.

Isaac grabbed David’s shoulders but Skip pulled him back.

“Just tell us what you know, David. That’s my sister, man. I have to know.”

David’s eyes became moist. “I went into that mess of an apartment where he held her.

The blood on the necktie is her blood. It looks like he may have used it to tie her up. We’re not sure. Skip, man, this whole thing is complicated. I’ll have to get my notes to make sure I get it straight. It’s like something from a soap opera.”

David took a small, wire bound tablet from his shirt pocket. “The boy’s name is Ray Mickleson, and from what we’ve been told, he’s a little slow. This boy’s daddy and Mary Hamilton once lived together. He and Curtis Hamilton were stepbrothers, or something like that.”

Isaac closed his eyes. Chelsea was a real free spirit. Sweet, loving, and so wild in bed, he sometimes wondered if he could keep her satisfied, and that was his forte. If this animal had raped her, he knew she would never be the same. “He won’t be slow when I finish with him. I’ll break his fucking neck.”

“You’ll let the law handle this, Isaac. He and Hamilton are about the same age. Everyone says Hamilton looked out for him, and that they were very close. Hamilton’s mother left Mickelson and married the Hamilton man, who adopted Curtis. This boy went to live with his mother after his daddy moved on, but he stayed in touch with Hamilton.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “I think I told the story right. My boys talked with a former neighbor who said this Ray is very protective of Hamilton. He tried to strangle her son over some altercation he had with Hamilton. He was the brawn and Hamilton was the brain.”

“And he came after Chelsea because she’s prosecuting his brother?”

“It’s a little deeper than that, Skip. Like I said, it’s a damn soap opera. Hamilton started talking when he learned what this boy did. He told officers he took Ray drinking for his birthday, found out Ray was a virgin, and bought him a date.”

“You mean the woman who was beaten?”

David nodded at Skip. “You got it. The woman accepted payment because she thought

she was going to do Hamilton. When he took her off in the woods behind the park and she saw Ray, she . . .I guess she laughed and made fun of him.”

“And that’s when Hamilton beat her?”

“That’s also fuzzy, Isaac. Hamilton said he’s been trying to cover for his brother, but he can’t do that now. Says he slapped Barbara Colbert to stop her from laughing at the boy. She kept laughing and Ray started beating her. Hamilton said Ray freaked out. Just kept hitting her and he couldn’t make him stop. When he pulled Ray off the woman, he told him to get out of there. He says he tried to help the woman, but she was already unconscious. He said he ran away and that’s when Chelsea’s witness saw him coming from the behind the trees. The other boy was long gone.”

“You’re right.” Skip threw his hands into the air. “It is a fucking soap opera.”

Isaac looked from one to the other. Just thinking of what this crazy person may have done to Chelsea was more than he could stand. “Did he break into the loft or was that Mr. Beckham?”

“That we’re not sure of. I looked at this boy’s mental history. He’s bright enough to hold a job and all, so I can only assume he’s capable of finding that key and coming into Chelsea’s place. Let’s just try and find Chelsea first, and pray she’s okay. The law will deal with those responsible, and I’m the law, so please let me handle it. The story has already leaked. Everybody knows you’re involved, Isaac. We have to use damn near every man on the force to keep the press out of here. ”

Isaac was surprised at David’s strong display of emotion. “You sound doubtful,

man. Do you think she’s been hurt?”

“I saw the boy’s place.” He hesitated. “It stunk to high heaven. There was a dead fish in bowl in the bathtub. We found take-out containers filled with worms that also smelled. I guess he was trying to feed them to the fish. Big ass fish.” He shook his head. “Everything I’ve seen and heard tells me this boy is way off his rocker.”

“You think he’s probably raped her, don’t you?” Skip asked.

“I don’t know man. I deal with stuff like this every day. Most of it is much worse, but I’ve never had to deal with anything this up-close and personal. I’ve loved Chelsea since we were kids.” He saw Isaac’s eyebrows lift and quickly added. “Skip was my best friend, and she was his beautiful little sister. Now, she is everything I admire in a woman. I’m glad she has a real man to love her. She’s not into that prick attorney, and if you have a grain of sense, you’ll do everything you can to make her happy.”

“He’s right,” Skip said. “So what do we do now?”

“We can’t do much standing around here. I just wanted you two to know. I sent someone over to let your folks know what’s been happening. I know Mama Rose was more upset than she should have been, thinking it had something to do with her. I just wanted her to know.”

Isaac looked at Skip. Knowing they shared the same pain brought a closeness that was more comforting than anything else. He thought about their father and knew he felt helpless. He then looked at the concern on David’s face. He had immediately felt there was, or had been, more than a casual relationship between them. It was now obvious. He loved her, too.

“Sorry, I left out a good part.” David interrupted Isaac’s thoughts. “A couple of officers spoke with this boy’s mother and learned he can’t drive. Since no one saw a third person, we can only assume Chelsea drove the car here, which means she’s…she’s okay. Maybe she’s even in control.” He looked at their faces. “I know it’s not much, but look around you. We’ve got cops all over this place. Someone must have seen him, and we’ll find her. I don’t want the two of you to get in the way. If shooting starts, we’ll have our hands full keeping Chelsea safe.”

“Did anyone check the loft?” Isaac asked.

David nodded. “I checked it three times since we left there earlier. They haven’t been there. I think she’s trying to get him there or they wouldn’t have driven here. Like I said, we’re got people all over this neighborhood. Since they don’t know the two of you, I need you to stay out of sight.”

Skip nodded. “I’m not just saying this because she’s my sister, but Chelsea is smart as hell, and she’s usually calm under pressure, except for that rash she gets. That was the first thing my mother said when she learned Chelsea was missing. She always appears and acts rational, but she get large welts all over her body when she’s upset.”

“I’ve never seen that.” Isaac could not imagine Chelsea looking any way but beautiful.

“She has medication to take when it starts. I saw it in her purse. I’m sure she tried to lure this man here. I suggest we stay out of sight in case they’re trying to get back to the loft.”

Isaac drifted away again. Trying to remain clear-headed while his heart was breaking was hard to do. He wanted to feel near her and the best place to do that was at the loft. Before he could tell Skip and David he wanted to go inside the loft, a swarm of reporters, cameras mounted and ready to roll, ran towards them.

“Mr. Charbonnette, you and Chelsea Constantine are romantically involved. When was the last time you spoke and what are your feelings about her disappearance?”

“Mr. Charbonnette, the Saints are in Atlanta. Are you going to play in the upcoming game or does that depend on the outcome of the search for Ms. Constantine?”

“How the hell did you people get in here?” David herded them away from Isaac. “This is no time to…or maybe it is. Isaac, did you want to make a statement?”

He held his hand over his head in surrender. “I’ll make one small statement, so listen carefully. The woman I love has been kidnapped. I want everyone out there to keep their eyes open for anything that could help the police locate Chelsea. I’ll be here in New Orleans for as long as it takes, maybe longer, because when she’s back in my arms, I might not be able to let her out of my sight.”

He patted the box in his pocket and remembered Frankie’s response to his doubt. “I’m so scared, Frankie,” he had admitted. “If that guy raped her, I don’t know how I’ll be able to make it right.”

“By loving her,” she had told him. “By staying by her side. She’s a strong woman, but even that doesn’t guarantee she’ll be able to come out of this any time soon.”

“I don’t care how long it takes.”

He thought of his new contract. Nothing mattered. He would stay close to Chelsea even if he never played football again.

* * * *

The day had begun with a sky full of clouds, but the sun had finally broken through, bringing staggering heat that amplified the stench in the nearby dumpster. Normally there would have movement between the buildings, but the renovations had added fences. Vehicles were prohibited beyond the site of the dumpster. She thought it was better this way. She did not think Ray wanted to kill her, but would if he became spooked. Chelsea felt hopeful that her stamina was stronger than Ray’s. Parts of her body ached tremendously. Other parts itched unbearably.

As bad as she felt, she knew Ray’s condition was worse. His tremors had worsened. His red-rimmed eyes were wild with fright. She saw no foot traffic passing the street in front of the alley. That almost never happened. She knew the cops were nearby. A list of possibilities filtered through her head. She had to find a way to escape.

“RayRay, could you remove that gun from my ribs and allow me to turn around and face you? I’m not going to run.”

He took a step back. “Come on, but don’t try nothin.”

“Look around you. That dumpster stinks. You’re shaking like a leaf in the wind. My head is going to blow up unless I take something for the pain and itching. Don’t you think we need to get out of here?”

He wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt and looked away. She knew he was even more frightened by her appearance.

“You need help, Ray. You’re ill, and so am I.”

“Just do what I tell you and that’s all.” He grabbed her arm. “I don’t believe what you say. People always say they want to help but they don’t mean it.”

She moaned in pain. “You’re hurting me. My arm already hurts like hell.” She jerked free. “Yes, I want to get back to my life. Wouldn’t I be stupid if I didn’t? But I also care what happens to you. If you’ll just come with me, I can get some medicine for my skin and something for my pain and yours. Once you’re feeling better, you can decide what to do, but you know you have to let me go at some point. It doesn’t matter if you hold me here. Your brother’s trial will continue, with or without you, and without me.”

He eased his grip, but still held her close to his side. “What about that cat?”

“He’s won’t hurt you. He may be hungry unless my brother fed him, so could run to me when I go in the door, but I’ll put him in the bathroom if that makes you feel better.”

He peeped out to the street. “What about those people out there?”

She saw three men and a woman. She was certain they were police officers. “People live here. They come and go. I don’t know most of them. I’m not home a lot, and not at all during the day. Lots of people own vacation homes in the Quarter. They’re only here on weekends. You need to keep that gun out of sight.” She worried that he would be killed. “We can stay close together. Take my arm, or hold my hand, like we’re friends. Smile.”

He studied her face. “You really won’t let them hurt me?”

“I’ll do what I can, Ray. Just keep the gun out of sight.”

He was quiet for a few minutes and then took her hand. “Let’s go.”

* * * *

Isaac was almost too frightened to move when he saw her. “Look at her face. He’s

been hitting her. She’s smiling. I guess she’s trying to win his trust.” He saw her left hand flashing behind her back. “Look! She’s trying to signal. She knows we’re watching.”

“She’s trying to get him to the loft.” David used his binoculars. “Don’t shoot. She doesn’t want us to shoot. One-handed sign language, but I know what…harmless…I can’t get that part. I think she says he’s harmless unless riled.”

“I don’t care if he’s a boy scout. Blow his damn head off!” Skip pushed past Isaac and used his phone to zoom in on them. “She’s having an allergic reaction. It starts with welts, and then her face swells. That boy looks frightened. She’s probably just trying to make things look natural. Shit. Look at the way he keeps one hand in his pocket. That’s where the pistol is.”