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Glancing behind him, I saw a massive delivery truck parked in front of my house. There was a furniture company logo on the side.
“Azrael said you could choose anything in the truck that you wanted.”
Wow.
I walked outside and approached the open back, marveling at the numerous couches that filled the interior. Coffee tables, lamps, and matching recliners were wrapped in plastic. All of it was new and it wasn’t cheap. I recognized the logo and brand.
“This is too generous.”
“Not for saving his life. Grim and Azrael insisted. I unload whatever you like.”
Another guy was leaning against the driver’s side door, lighting up a smoke. He looked just as young as this kid. Maybe early twenties.
“Name’s Toad. That’s Shadow. We’re prospects which means you can order us around.” He winked and flirted but I was caught off guard by his voice. It was nearly garbled, and the tone was something like the noises a frog might make. I hated the comparison and felt guilty for thinking it.
“Nice to meet you both.”
They nodded.
Shadow gestured to the interior, limping slightly as he walked. “Which set do you like?”
I chose one and the matching recliner but refused anything else. I wasn’t going to take advantage. “You can load it inside. I’ll need the old one removed.”
“Not a problem.”
A half hour later the prospects were gone, and I closed the front door, locking it, and sinking down on the cushions of my new couch. It was firm but soft and I curled on my side, resting my head against the back. I could get used to this kind of treatment. Next time I saw Rael, I’d thank him.
I ate a quiet dinner and turned on the news. The anchor was covering a breaking story about missing women in Tonopah and Hawthorne. Situated between Reno and Las Vegas, the two cities were far more remote, and it was easy to snatch women without any witnesses. My heart sank and I thought of Naomi. Would she know any of the missing girls? Some of them were prostitutes but not all.
I dialed the hospital and was patched in to the nurse’s desk. A good friend and fellow nurse answered.
“Mt. Grant ICU. This is Bethany.”
“Hey, Bethany. It’s Nylah.”
“Babe! How have you been?”
“Not so good. I’m worried about Naomi. How’s she doing?”
She sucked in a breath. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” I sat up quick, suddenly terrified.
“She snuck out of the hospital and left two nights ago. We don’t know where she is.”
Shit! “No,” I whispered. “Thank you, Bethany.”
“Can I –”
I hung up on her, feeling only slightly guilty. Rising to my feet, I knew she was in danger. Why the hell would Naomi leave the hospital? It didn’t make sense. Unless she was afraid of remaining there. Had someone threatened her? Wasn’t the detective watching her room? Where the hell was he when she disappeared?
I was pissed.
Gathering up my keys and purse, I headed right to the police station. The plain stucco building seemed to squat in the center of the desert as tumbleweed rolled along the ground and the Joshua tree out front reached upward toward the sky. A flag was billowing in the hot breeze against its pole as I rushed with purpose inside the main entrance.
The front desk receptionist greeted me as I explained why I was there, asking for the two detectives assigned to my sister’s case. I waited for nearly a half hour before Det. Hamlin called out my name. The guy was older, a military style haircut and broad shoulders who was both short in his explanations and apologetic. His rookie partner, Officer Wentworth had gone on a quick bathroom break and left hospital security to watch over Naomi’s room. According to his partner’s statement, when he returned Naomi was gone and the security guard had been absent. His partner found the security guard James chasing after a few teenagers who streaked naked through the hospital in the middle of the night on a dare.
Naomi must have taken her opportunity to escape. Det. Hamlin assured me there wasn’t foul play and since she left of her own accord, there was nothing to be done.
