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It was all I had to go on. One thing was for sure. When I got my little Queen back, I was putting a tracking device on her ass.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
SALLY
Dr. Stein Was the picture of calm contentment as he moved around the room. I watched from the bed as he picked up a small black bag I hadn't noticed before, opened it, and began to rifle through the contents. My attempts to lick my lips to ease the dryness were stopped by the gag that was pulling painfully on the corners of my mouth.
I couldn't see what he was doing with his back to me, but I heard the sounds of metal instruments being placed carefully down on the wooden surface of the dresser. From past experience, I knew Dr. Stein was meticulous regarding his tools. Knowing what was coming, cold sweat began breaking out on my forehead, and tremors began to shake my arms.
The doctor turned around and looked at me with a giant smile on his face. "There's always been one thing I've always wanted to try. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity until now. This is going to be fabulous. "
With giddy excitement, Dr. Stein moved into the bathroom. I heard the water turn on, and I knew he was washing his hands. Though he was preparing to undergo illegal surgery in a motel room, the doctor was still careful about following the protocols set for cleanliness, at least for himself. I didn't think he cared as much about my well-being.
He came out just a few minutes later and returned to the dresser. He pulled on a pair of gloves, snapping the fingertips into place one at a time. As I watched him prepare for a new surgery, the tears I cried began to soak into the sides of the gag. I had no idea what he had in store for me, but what I did know was that it was going to hurt. I also feared that Jack would not make it to me in time. I had no doubts that he was on his way. Jack would do anything to find me, but there was a real possibility that he'd be too late.
"So, you see, dear Sally, you already know that I've had to be the best as the finest and most respected plastic surgeon. I've never left a scar behind, never any evidence that someone had had work done. Isn't that such a strange thing? That people would spend so much money to look different only to want to ensure nobody knew?"
He slid on his white coat with his name embroidered on the breast. Then, he picked up a long, wicked, wicked-looking blade. It looked like it was made from surgical steel, just like the rest of the implements that he used, but this one was much larger and scary looking. It looked like something from a nightmare. I wasn't sure what he was planning to use it for, but it looked like it could do a lot of damage very quickly. He turned it back and forth, studying it under the dim lighting of the hotel room lamp. Even with such poor lighting, it still reflected brightly. It had a serrated edge, and I could guess what he was planning to use it for.
"Oh yes, this is going to be my greatest work yet. You see, Sally, the one thing that I've always wanted to do but have never been able to try is reattach a limb." He turned then and looked at me, and I stared back at him with wide-eyed fright. The implications of what he said terrified me to my core. Just imagining what he wanted to do was bad enough, but being in a filthy motel room that likely hadn't been cleaned properly in years, with no medication, no anesthesia, just a crazy doctor with wickedly sharp tools and my body at his mercy. There was no way I would make it out of this alive. And after he touched me with that blade, I wasn't sure I wanted to.
* * *
THE NIGHTMARE KING
Halfway into town, I spotted a black Town Car coming down the road heading in the direction of the club compound. There were very few reasons why anyone from town who didn't have a direct affiliation with the club would head out this way. When they flashed their lights, I gritted my teeth at the delay in getting on with the search in town. Only the hope that they would be coming out to give information to me had me slowing to a stop in the middle of the road.
The mayor rolled down his window with a forced smile. He was a weasel of a man, and he knew his position was mainly in name only. He did all the tedious work that went along with the position, but the real decisions regarding Pumpkin Patch were always passed through me first.
"Mr. Ellington. Nice day we are having."
I nodded curtly as I let the bike idle, ready to move on if this fucker was going to waste my time. "Mayor."
His smile dropped for a moment before he managed to force it back on his sweaty face. "I, uh, heard that you have a woman now. A redhead?"
I gave him a sharp look, needing him to get to the point. "Have you seen her?"
"Well, now. Uh," his eyes darted out the windshield, then back to me, his nervousness written in every movement. "It seems there was a car spotted in town yesterday. A stranger checked into the motel. You know how the town notices these things during the off-season. We don't get many strangers in Pumpkin Patch, you know."
"What do you know, Mayor?" I demanded, needing him to get to the point. If this was the guy I was after, I needed information already. Sally didn't have any time to spare, and every second without her was killing me inside. The fucker could be hurting her while this asshole was taking his sweet fucking time chatting.
"Well, it seems that same car returned to the motel just a little bit ago. He, uh, pulled a woman from the trunk—a young woman with red hair. I was told she didn't look very happy. But they went into the motel room together without a fight, you know? I don't want to get involved if you and the little woman had a spat, but if she is in some kind of trouble, and, uh, you," he coughed into his hand as if he were afraid to say the words out loud, "cared about this woman, I thought you should know. So, here I am, coming out to tell you personally. Just in case. And, you know, if you are so inclined to be grateful, perhaps you could see to it that when the elections start up again in a few months, you might be interested in helping me retain my position as mayor of this fine town."
He looked hopeful, his eyebrows disappearing under the brim of the black hat he wore to cover his balding head. I revved the engine as Barrel cursed from his position next to me.
"Which room, Mayor?" I ground out between my teeth.
"Uh, I believe it was room 16 that they disappeared into together. You won't take it out on me if the little lady is stepping out on you, right?" He fidgeted with his tie and ran his fingers over the brim of his hat in his typical nervous gesture.
I gave a curt nod and prepared to take off, not caring to satisfy his curiosity about the situation.
"Oh, Mr. Ellington! About that election…"
I eyed him, letting him see my seriousness as he swallowed thickly, shrinking back a bit from where he had been leaning forward eagerly. "Mayor, I need you to send an ambulance to room 16 at the motel. If my girl is safe, I'll make sure you stay Mayor of Pumpkin Patch for the next decade."
As I peeled away with Barrel by my side, the mayor called out his window after me. "Thank you, Bones! Mr. Ellington! I'll make that call now!"
I didn't bother to acknowledge him. My only thought was to get to that motel room and save my Queen.
