I watched as she sat at the cafe. She looked worried, rushed, continuing to gaze around, on edge. She should be. This was far from over and she was too fucking naïve to know better.
I sighed, hoping she’d wrap up soon so I could get on with it. I checked my watch as she sipped with a soft frown and fat tears in her eyes. Affected by another man, again. Burned by love.
A bright white loading van pulled into the spot obscuring my view of Erin. I grunted, having half a mind to run down there, pull out my nine-millimeter, and tell them to get the fuck out of the way.
I groaned when two guys in uniform jumped out and began unloading a dolly and crates of fresh food before delivering it into the cafe.
“Christ.” I stuck my key in the ignition to move to a better vantage point before my phone lit up, the distinct and ominous tone that pulsed irritation through my bloodstream.
Looks like you lost sight of the target.
My eyes floated at the words, my brain failing to register the meaning. The target.
“What the fuck?” I hurled from the car, darting across the street as a horn blared. Ignoring it, I barreled on. Not after all this time. Not possible.
My boot hit the curb and my eyes finally landed on the table where Erin had sat.
Only this time pandemonium surrounded the scene. A woman hollering, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pointed down the street. A waiter tried to calm her, eyes darting from her crazed face and back to where her finger pointed.
Where the fuck is she?
My eyes travelled the other faces obscuring my view. I shuttled forward on heavy feet before I was close enough to see over the frenzied heads. Three waiters, a bus boy, the hostess, and a half dozen diners lingered around the small table.
She was gone.
“Where the fuck is she?” I grabbed a waiter by the elbow and growled as I stepped into the suffocating circle of fear.
“Sh-sh-she-she-” Erin’s mother stuttered, pushing my rage to a tipping point.
I grasped the erratic woman’s elbow and spun her to face me. “FBI!” I flipped my badge. “Where is Erin Warner?” I yelled, every moment of Erin’s life in the balance.
Dark eyes widened as terror fogged her features. “Taken.” Her finger shook as she pointed down the street.
Jesus, no. On my watch and right under my nose, Erin had disappeared.
