GRIPPED (Romance Mystery & Suspense Box Set)

by Abbott, Alex

  “Don’t you have to wait 24 hours,” Big Red said. “By all means yes let’s call them, but I thought they wouldn’t do anything for 24 hours.”

  “She wouldn’t just up and leave her son. Besides, we need to find out from her boss if she was at work today and the cops can get a hold of someone faster than we can,” Justin said as he paced the floor.

  “I’ll make the call,” Lily said. She could tell Big Red was too emotional to do it and Justin and Connor needed to talk to the rest of the club about their next plan of action.

  “Thanks babe,” Conner replied. “So what’s the plan? I’ve already got four of our guys combing both the northeast and south parts of town. We can take the west since it’s a larger area if you want.”

  Justin motioned for the group to follow him away from his father. He was upset enough and didn’t want to talk about a search group around him.

  “Yeah, that sounds good. We all know what she drives right?” Everyone nodded.

  At that moment Lily interrupted. “The police are sending a car down to get some information.”

  “Okay good. Dad has a recent picture of her in his wallet. Lily, did you try the hospitals? I can’t believe I forgot that.”

  “Yes I did, no word.”

  “Thanks hon. At least that’s good news…I hope. Alright, let’s get going. Lily, you’ll stay with dad right.”

  “Of course.”

  The night didn’t produce anything much in information of what might have happened to Amy. The police came, obtained the picture of Amy from Big Red, and put out APB on her plates. After the police left, Lily phoned Connor to tell him she was taking Big Red over to Amy’s house to be with Aaron. Connor said he and Justin would meet them there in a few more hours.

  Most of the WWMC were out on their bikes, despite the cold weather. Connor and Justin took the SUV so they could discuss what they thought might have happened to Amy.

  “She’s got this new boyfriend,” Connor said.

  “Really, I didn’t know she was dating anyone.”

  “It’s not been long, just a few times. But nobody knows much about him. You don’t think he could have taken her?”

  “Fuck, I don’t know what to think.“ Justin said as he gripped the steering wheel. All I know is she would never leave Aaron and us hanging like this. Somehow she’s not able to call us. Whether that means she’s lost or hurt, I don’t know.”

  Justin didn’t want to allow another scenario to enter his mind. He blocked it out, unwilling to think that anything bad had happened to her. Amy was his little sister. She looked up to him and he protected her. She was also his confidante. He was close to Connor, like a brother, but not enough to confide in him about certain things. He could tell Amy anything and she was never judgmental. In fact, she was level headed and wouldn’t sugar coat just because he was her brother. She told him how it was and he respected her for it. She also kept him up to date with her life. Which made it odd that he didn’t know about this new boyfriend.

  “Let’s get back to Amy’s house and see what the police told them,” Justin said making a U-turn in the street.

  As they swung into Amy’s driveway, Justin could see several motorcycles parked on the street including Lily’s car. When Justin opened the door to the house Aaron launched from the couch and into his arms.

  “I’m so worried about Mom,” he said.

  “It’ll be alright Aaron. I promise we’ll find her,” Justin said as he ruffled Aaron’s hair.

  “That’s what I’ve been telling him,” Big Red replied with a husky whisper.

  “Dad, why don’t you go lay down in Amy’s bed. You’re wiped out and it won’t do her any good if you end up in the hospital.”

  “I think I will,” he said as he rose slowly out of the kitchen chair. He pulled his portable oxygen tank behind him.

  “Does he have a new tank?” Justin asked Lily.

  “Yes, I changed it before we left the club.”

  “Good. Okay, what did the police say?”

  “Just that they were putting out an APB on Amy’s plates.”

  “That’s it?”

  Lily nodded, then gestured towards Aaron.

  “Hey buddy, why don’t you hit the sack like Grandpa,” Justin said to the boy.

  “I’m not tired,” he answered.

  “I think maybe you are,” Justin responded. “I promise we’ll let you know if we hear anything, okay?”

  “Okay.” Justin watched as Aaron shuffled off to his bedroom. After he was out of earshot Justin said, “I hate this for him. Damn it where is she?”

  “We’ll find her Justin…we will,” Connor said as he put an arm around Lily.

  “Send the guys home to get some shut eye and we’ll start back up in the morning, unless she shows up before then,” Justin told Connor. Connor and Lily left the room and Justin pulled out his cell phone.

  Just a few hours ago he was having a wonderful time with a new woman he’d just met. Funny how fast things can change.

  Ginger washed the dishes and put them away. She changed out of her clothes and back into her dowdy house robe. It may be ugly but it’s comfy she thought. She sat down with another glass of wine and wondered what was going on with Justin. Whatever had happened it didn’t sound good. Of course she couldn’t help but think about him in other ways as well. His touch ignited a fire that was still burning inside her. Ginger closed her eyes and thought about his gentle touch. How his fingertips and soft lips left a lasting impression on her soul.

  She almost spilled her wine glass as she jolted back to reality from the shrill ring of her phone. She grabbed it and saw it was Justin.

  “Justin, what’s going on?”

  “Amy, my sister, is missing. We’ve contacted the police and we’ve been out looking for her.”

  “Who was the last person to see her?”

  “As far as we know it was her son Aaron. He saw her this morning before he left for school and she was heading for work. We’re not sure if she ever made it there though, but the police are going there when they open in the morning.”

  “I know this must be so hard on your father. How is he doing?”

  “Not so good, he’s pretty upset. We’re all here at Amy’s house. I sent Dad and Aaron to bed. I’m going to try and get a few hours of sleep on the sofa and then get back to looking at sun up.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be home soon, but I can help with making up flyers if you want.” Ginger wanted to help any way she could. She didn’t know Amy and barely knew Justin, but she would offer her services any way she could.

  “That would be awesome Ginger, but hopefully she’ll be walking through the door any time.”

  “I hope so too.”

  “Okay, I’ll let you go and call and update you in the morning. Goodnight Ginger.”

  “Goodnight Justin.”

  Justin punched Amy’s number after hanging up with Ginger. When she didn’t answer the service announced that her voice box was full. Justin hung up. Where the fuck are you?

  *****

  Surprisingly Justin slept for a few hours, but awoke with a start. His father was sitting in the recliner looking out the front window.

  “Dad, what are you doing up so early?” Justin asked groggily.

  “I couldn’t sleep. Where is she son? What’s happened to my Amy?”

  “I don’t know Dad, but we’ll find her.”

  Justin heard Aaron shuffling around in his room.

  “I’ll make a pot of coffee,” Justin said.

  He looked at the clock in the kitchen. It read 5:15 am. It wasn’t looking good. She’s been gone almost 24 hours. A fear was settling over Justin. He didn’t want to let it in, but it was invading his being all the same.

  “Dad, Ginger said she could get flyers made up and we can put them around town today.”

  “That’s nice of her. She seems like a sweet girl.” Big Red continued to stare out the window. It was like he was waiting for Amy to walk up the sidewalk
at any moment.

  Justin could feel the knot in his stomach growing. What the hell happened to her, and who is this boyfriend I didn’t know about?

  “Dad, did you know Amy was seeing anyone?”

  Big Red turned away from the window to look at his son. “No.”

  “She’s only gone out with him a few times.” Aaron entered the room pulling a t-shirt over his head. “I met him. He seemed nice.”

  “Hey kid, you want some eggs? I’ll fix you some.”

  “Naw, I’ll just have some cereal.”

  “So what’s this guy’s name?”

  “Sam something…ummm Sam Pennington. I think that’s it.”

  “Okay good. We’ll contact him and see if he’s heard from her.”

  Justin was trying to appear upbeat for the boy, but it was difficult. His father went back to looking out the window. Justin would have to call Lily and Connor and tell them to bring some of Dad’s oxygen tanks over. He knew Big Red wasn’t about to leave before he knew Amy was safe at home.

  Ginger was also up early. She tossed and turned all night, hoping she’d hear good news about Amy this morning. She sipped her coffee, enjoying the hot liquid as it rolled down her throat. If Amy hadn’t been located, she was going to get a recent picture from Justin and start making the flyers. The faster they got her picture up the better.

  Her phone tinkled as a text message came through. It was Justin.

  “Hi Ginger. No news on Amy. Let me know when you r up and I’ll bring her pic by.”

  Ginger immediately replied. “I’m up Justin. I’m ready whenever you are.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  *****

  Justin arrived at Ginger’s a little past 6am. The sun peeked over the horizon and the birds were already singing. If it had been any other day, Justin and Ginger would look forward to what might lie ahead for them, but it wasn’t a normal day. Despite the warmer temps and the chirping birds, a grey cloud hung over them. The only bright spot for Justin was seeing Ginger’s smiling face when she opened the door. She gave him a hug. It was spontaneous, not something Ginger thought about doing. He just looked like he needed one.

  “It’s good to see you,” Justin said. “You’re like a bright spot in a nightmare.”

  “I want to do anything I can to help,” Ginger said as she grabbed her coat. “I’ve already asked my boss and we can use their Xerox machine to print the flyers. They’re closed today since its Saturday so we won’t have to deal with anyone.”

  “That’s awesome…let’s go.”

  Justin explained more about his family and Amy in particular on their way to Ginger’s work office. By the time they arrived, Ginger felt like she knew Amy already. She hoped she would get to meet her soon.

  After printing 200 flyers they made their way back to the clubhouse. Justin handed out the flyers to the club members with instructions on where to place them. The objective was to put them in high traffic areas, especially foot traffic, where people could see them easily.

  “Lily, did Amy tell you about some new boyfriend,” Justin asked as he continued to hand out the flyers.

  “Well I wouldn’t call him her boyfriend. They just went out a couple of times and I don’t think Amy was all that into him. I don’t think they’ve seen each other for a couple of weeks now, although she did say he kept calling her.”

  “Do you have his number?”

  “What? No. It may be in her cell phone.” Lily bit her lip as she realized Amy’s cell phone hadn’t been found and was likely with her. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s okay Lily. I’m just wondering why I didn’t know about him.”

  “It was just two dates and she wasn’t interested in him….I think she just didn’t deem it worthy to tell you about it.”

  “Well, let’s get going everyone,” Justin said to the group.

  He looked at Connor and Lily and said, “Ginger and I are headed over to the police station and to Amy’s workplace. I’ve got to find out if she even made it to work.”

  “Okay man, we’ll keep checking in.”

  Connor and Lily headed out on his bike with other club members following suit. Justin and Ginger remained in the SUV so he could hear his cell phone should it ring with information on Amy.

  Justin checked his watch. Amy’s workplace wouldn’t open for another half an hour so he decided to head to the police station first.

  “Do you think this boyfriend or guy she dated has anything to do with her disappearance?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure as hell going to talk with him.”

  Ginger saw a change wash over Justin. Darkness settled into his eyes and into the grooves of his face. Of course she hadn’t known him that long, but she hoped it was something fleeting as it unsettled her. Ginger was a sweet girl and not use to being around harsh inked bikers. Although yesterday Justin hadn’t seemed that way to her. Yes, he had the tattoos and the worn leather cut, but he seemed so gentle then. But now she was seeing a different side. One that sent off alarm bells in her brain.

  Justin looked over at Ginger and gave her a weak smile. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you home?”

  “No,” Ginger said, not sure if she was making the right decision. “I want to help any way I can, just tell me what to do.” She did want to help because that was in her nature, but that dark look haunted her. It was gone in a flash, but she didn’t know this man. Could there be a sinister part of him she wasn’t aware of yet?

  “Just you being here by my side is helping more than you know,” Justin said.

  His gentle smile washed away any fear she felt at the moment. He was back to being the man she first met, although with a heavy load on his mind. Ginger catalogued the incident to one of coping with a stressful situation. Unfortunately, she would find that Justin did have a temper, especially when he thought someone had hurt one of his own.

  *****

  The visit to the police station didn’t turn up much of anything new. They also warned Justin to let them handle any questioning. Of course that wasn’t going to stop him. He would question whoever he felt might have information on his missing sister.

  The next stop was Amy’s workplace which had just opened for business. Ginger and Justin walked into the office where a receptionist sat behind a desk.

  “Can I help you,” the young lady asked.

  “I’m Justin Taylor and Amy Taylor is my sister. She’s been missing since yesterday morning and I need to know if she came into work yesterday.”

  “Wait one moment while I get a hold of her boss, Mr. MacGregor.”

  Justin and Ginger stepped away from the receptionist’s desk while she made the call. Once she was finished she told them to take the elevator to the 10th floor to Mr. MacGregor’s office.

  MacGregor was waiting at his office door when Justin and Ginger got off the elevator. He stuck out his hand for Justin to shake.

  “I hope I can be of help.”

  “I hope so too,” Justin said as he shook his hand.

  “Did Amy make it to work yesterday?”

  “Actually she didn’t, but I did receive a text from her. Here I’ll show it to you.”

  Mr. MacGregor took his phone from his suit pocket, punched a few buttons, and then showed Justin the text. It said Running a fever. Won’t be in today.

  “Is it normal for her to send a text like that?”

  “Actually it’s not. I mean I do send occasional texts to her regarding business matters, but if she’s sick, she always calls.”

  “When time did the text come in?” Ginger asked.

  Justin was glad she asked the question. Normally he would think to ask it, but his mind wasn’t as clear as it usually was. Stress can do that.

  MacGregor looked at his phone. “It says 10:15 am.”

  “That seems late to be calling in sick,” Justin replied.

  “And another thing that’s out of character for her. She would always call at least a half an hour before starting
time to let the receptionist or someone know she wasn’t coming in for the day.”

  “Thank you Mr. MacGregor for taking the time to speak to us,” Ginger said.

  “Yes thank you,” said Justin. “If you can think of anything else, please let me know.”

  “I certainly will. Amy is a wonderful employee and we all think highly of her around here.”

  “The police may be coming by to talk to you. Would you mind not telling them we were here? They don’t want me sticking my nose into the investigation, but I can’t sit by and wait.”

  “I completely understand. I won’t say a word.”

  They thanked MacGregor again and walked back to the elevator.

  “What do you think of that text message?” Ginger asked.

  “Well, it’s another piece of the puzzle, but it doesn’t sound like Amy.”

  “Do you think someone else sent the text?”

  Justin didn’t want to think that, but it was looking more and more like foul play. Like someone had taken his sister, and then sent the text to keep people from looking for her. But who? Was it someone she knew or a stranger?

  Justin knew that it was possible a stranger could have come into the home after Aaron left and made her drive to a secondary location, but the odds of that happening were great. Normally it was someone the victim knew.

  Ginger was thinking the same exact thing, but she didn’t want to say it out loud. No reason to upset Justin anymore than he already was, but she knew denying what was looking like foul play could ultimately cost Amy her life. Fortunately it was Justin who came out and said it first.

  “I’m starting to wonder if she’s been taken, but who would do that?”

  “Justin, I don’t know Amy, but was she seeing anyone?”

  “Lily and Aaron said she went out on a few dates with this guy, but that’s all. Lily said Amy wasn’t interested in him but he’d kept calling.”

  Justin’s radar went on alert. He’d been trying not to think of the worst where Amy was concerned, but he could no longer push it out of his mind. He also knew by letting the thought of someone hurting his sister into his brain, he was also unleashing his inner beast. He didn’t want to do that in front of Ginger. She was a kind soul; he already knew that about her. And despite what was going on in his life, he felt an odd peace with her. He knew she was good for him, but was he good for her? Right now he couldn’t take the time to think it out. He had to find his sister.