“Mor,I’ll call Oskar to come back,” Laila whispered, her face pale. I reached out and grabbed her as I punched in nine-one-one. I quickly babbled what had happened to the operator while I attempted to comfort Jesper, who was beside himself.
Minutes ticked past and, in the distance, I heard the wail of a siren. Magic didn’t reappear, and I tried holding myself together as I began shaking. My boy,my baby boy,was out there and possibly hurt. Why would anyone take Lars?
“Jerrik, what did the guy look like?” I asked, hearing the tremor in my voice.
“Tall but skinny. He was dirty and had blond hair and a beard, but it wasn’t looked after. His clothes were ripped jeans, which were marked and a stained tee. He wore a hoodie, too.MosterJody,he kept twitching like he was nervous or something.”
A drug user? I dialled Magic.
“Babe, I’m looking.”
I told him Jerrik’s description, and there was a pause. “Ask Jerrik, were they dark blue jeans and a light brown hoodie?”
I repeated Magic’s question, and Jerrik nodded. “Jerrik said yes. Magic, who is this?”
“He’s been seen hanging around the bar, but I don’t know who he is. Tell the cops and call Stan and get him to forward the footage to you,” Magic ordered. He cut the line as two policemen approached.
I quickly explained what had happened as the kids crowded me for comfort. My phone beeped, and Stan’s message landed, and I sent it to the officers. I barely looked at it as I searched for Magic.
An officer called in backup, and I paced back and forth. Panic welled beneath the surface, but I wouldn’t release it. The children were all frightened, and I had to keep calm. I didn’t believe this was happening. Hadn’t we suffered enough? Several other cops had joined the original two, and my alarm was escalating.
When Magic appeared, I rushed over. “Did you find Lars?” That was a stupid question because Magic had returned alone.
“There was no trace of Lars. The asshole gotta have had a car in the trees and dragged Lars to it. What are the cops doing?”
“I don’t know. They’ve asked questions but don’t seem in a rush. My boy is missing!” My voice rose, and several officers glanced over, including a plainclothes detective.
He saw Magic and straightened. “Magic? You know the victim?”
“He’s my son, Lucas. What’s the plan?” Magic demanded. Lucas blinked at the news but wasn’t sidetracked by it.
“We’ve got the footage and are cleaning it up a bit. A BOLO’s out for Lars, and I’ve forwarded his image. Recognise him?” Bobby Lucas inquired.
“None. He’s been hanging around the bar, but hasn’t come in. More like surveillance.”
“Does Lars have any issues with narcotics or similar?” Lucas asked, and I glowered.
“No.”
Magic shifted, and Lucas narrowed his eyes.
“What aren’t you saying?” Lucas demanded.
“There was some trouble. A junkie accused Lars of stealing from him and owing him ten thousand. Lars didn’t steal, nor has he done drugs. He’s clean.”
“Need more than that, Magic. This could be related.”
“Can we do this elsewhere? The kids shouldn’t be exposed. I need to drive them home. Please?” I begged.
“We’ll meet you there. I’m going to order the others to keep canvassing the area. Nando will get word to the off-duty officers, activate them, as it’s you, to come out too. Someone might have seen something. But I agree, the children shouldn’t be here.”
Magic and I herded them to the minivan, where Magic offered to drive. But that meant leaving his Hog here, and he’d need that if we received a demand, so I refused. Silently, I prayed we’d get a call.
???
Two hours later, I was coming out of my skin. There’d been no sign of Lars, and I was nearly hysterical. Where was my son? Why had Lars been taken? Was he alive, still breathing? My heart twisted, and tears clogged my throat as I wondered if Lars was calling for me. Was someone hurting him? Beyond anxious, I paced back and forth, rubbing my hands up and down my arms. Detective Lucas was here, and his partner HernandoHawthorne remained on scene, continuing to seek potential witnesses.
“Why hasn’t there been a call?” I demanded.
