Etched in Glass

by Nyxie Marrs

  “No idea. That’s up to him. Unless he wants me to complete this task. I think we stick to our original plans. She won’t be a problem for us now. If she is, I can handle her.” That disgusting tone makes my stomach turn.

  “Miles might be.” That scratchy voice sounds concerned. He should be, but not about Miles finding us.

  “We’ll worry about him if it happens.”

  My body shakes as they get out and close the doors. I can’t move, or look out of this car. Then they’ll know I’m awake. I need to calm down. I need my heart to relax so I can come up with a plan to save these captured women.

  Instead of the door opening immediately to grab me, their steps retreat. Well, what the hell? I’ll be asleep from boredom by the time they decide to take me in there. Okay. I relax my body and wait. Giving me more time to regain my strength is stupid. Idiots.

  Chapter 48

  Miles

  I follow them to a dirt road, parking my car along the narrow highway. There isn’t much around here so it should be easy to find them. I need to focus, but my mind keeps trailing off to Vega ending up like the women we’ve been finding. Both of those men had to have been in there to grab her. That’s the only way they were slowed down, and the only way she could have been taken.

  I need to find them, I can’t wait for anyone else. It’s too risky.

  I get out and start walking between the trees up to what I hope is the place Vega and the others are at. I only have my gun and a lot of confidence being overran by anger and fear. This has to be it. I have no idea what I’m going to run into.

  I quickly silence and answer my phone. “Yeah?” I angrily whisper.

  “We’re going to be tracking you and her by phone. If she still has it on her.”

  “Hell, Red. I’m walking up to where I last saw the car. It may be too late by the time you guys can get here. I need her out of there.”

  “Miles, be careful. I’ll be on my way soon.”

  “You stay with Anya. She needs you. I’ll fix this.” I hang up and continue on my path.

  I see a few buildings in the distance and my heart pumps adrenaline through me. I take a look around, I don’t see the car. They must have it hidden in one of these buildings. I lay low and wait to see activity before I attempt to walk in there.

  There’s slow movement through the window from this unsuspecting house. A well-manicured lawn, trimmed bushes. The white paint and black trim are neat and crisp. This doesn’t look like a place that would harbor killers, then again wouldn’t that be the best place? There’s a barn off to the right, but even the sun-beaten red paint looks clean and well taken care of.

  I lower myself onto the cool, crunchy ground as a set of headlights pull up. I wait as this silver minivan stops in front of the house. No. Two small kids jump out and the parents follow. No. The door opens and a small elderly lady stands at the door. This isn’t it. Where could they have gone? This looks like the only house to this road, so where did they go?

  “Red.” I growl as I walk back to my car.

  “What happened?” I let his worried words sink in. What did happen? I’ve only lost the men who stole Vega. That’s what happened. I pissed her off and they had the chance to take her.

  “Wrong fucking place. Where did they go?” I start driving back. I need to figure this out. I need to look at the damn maps we have.

  “Not sure yet. It’s taking longer than expected to track her phone. I’m sorry Miles, we don’t have a lead yet. All we have is the video from the Café.” His last sentence holds a lot of despair. This hit him hard too?

  “Red. I don’t think I can see that. Have you?” He clears his throat a few times.

  “Not yet. Dave’s waiting for one of us.”

  “How’s Anya?” I can’t imagine how she must be feeling. Witnessing that must have been hard.

  “She’s sworn off of going anywhere now and feels like it’s her fault Vega was taken.” His voice definitely holds sadness. Just as Anya was getting comfortable being around us, this happens and I’m sure this incident will pull her further back into her shell than she was before.

  “She shouldn’t feel like that. I don’t have to see the tape to know Vega pushed her out of there.” From what I’ve gathered about Vega, she protects people. If Anya reminds her of Elara, I’m sure Vega saved her.

  “Yeah. I know. She wants me to stay with her, but she wants to talk to you before we leave.” He sounds as confused as I feel about that. Should I worry about what she wants? It can be anything. She’s the last one to speak to Vega.

  “What does she want? What do we have?” I’m exhausted of the run around with this case, I need answers.

  “No clue, but she’s adamant to speak with you.”

  “Alright, Red. I should be back in about an hour.” This is going to be a long drive with nothing but my thoughts.

  *​​*​​*

  I step into our office to find Red and Anya sitting at the desk.

  “Miles.” She jumps up and hugs me. I wasn’t prepared for that.

  “How are you, Anya?” I gently push her back so I can watch her. I see that look in her eyes, she really is beating herself up for this.

  “I’m better than earlier, if that’s what you want to know. I just. Look, Vega and I did get a talk in before it happened.” Her eyes water and she’s having a difficult time pushing out those words steadily.

  “Anya, it’s okay.” Red places his hand on her shoulder and the tension in her body fades ever so slightly.

  She shakes her head. “I don’t know names or anything, but an ex turned stalker killed her thoughts of getting serious with anyone. I just wanted to let you know, she didn’t seem opposed when she spoke about whatever it was that happened between you two.” Is Anya dishing out Vega’s secrets? Or does this seem like a conversation that happens before the worst of this hits? She hugs me and sucks in sobs as she tries to hold it together.

  Dave taps on the door and pushes it open. “Want to see the tape?” He whispers. Damnit, I know we should but I don’t know if I can.

  “Red, you and Anya get some rest. I’ll do what I can.” He nods. Red’s done so much for me lately I need to return that favor. I follow Dave. My mind is racing with thoughts of what I’m about to see. I can’t believe I’m going to watch this video. I doubt I’ll get anything from it.

  “Miles, we’re working on this as hard as we can. We’re also looking into James’s whereabouts. Red explained to me what you guys found. How you found it is a damn mystery, but you may not be wrong. His house was empty. No one home, and nothing there.” I don’t know if that eases my worry or makes it worse. We sit in front of his computer and he pulls up the video.

  “Yeah. Thanks Dave. Vega is how we found a connection.” I can’t say her name without feeling an ache in my chest.

  “Any idea on who the other two suspects are?”

  “No. I have suspicions, but that could be just because I don’t like those men.” I reply quietly to his question.

  “I understand that. Trust me, Miles. I’ve got good guys on this. We were thorough.” He puts a hand on my shoulder, he knows this is difficult for me. Are my feelings for Vega that obvious?

  I watch one large man jump out of the bathroom, the other comes out of a supply closet, opposite of the bathroom. One holding Anya, the other has Vega. Damn, is she doing her best. She freed Anya, and I can see her yelling at Anya to leave. Like I said, she protected her. I see her fight. Oh, did she fight. Nearly had a chance to bolt, until his hand wraps around her face. After a few seconds, her fighting eases up, but she doesn’t completely stop as they pull her out the exit. That fight, even after the drug is what held them up.

  “Fuck.” I grunt through clenched teeth as I hit the desk. A few items fall over and he looks at me.

  “I’ve got a guy working on her location.”

  I rub my face. “Thanks Dave. I need to see the aerial footage of the area I was in today. I fucking lost them.”

  He
pulls up the satellite pictures on his computer and I get to work figuring out where I was and what happened. It’s been too long since they’ve grabbed her. I don’t want to think about what they’re putting her through, but my mind goes there while I search.

  I scour through these maps. I find where I last saw them, then the road I followed. Damn, did they lose me. They knew I was following them. How the hell did I not see this other route? They must have taken the road I was on but immediately turned down this small path. I can barely see it. It moves to the left of the house I was at, it goes on miles further west than I thought. Then a few buildings appear on the map. That ache in my chest widens knowing I was so close.

  “You know we’ll need a warrant. And it’s already late.”

  I look at him like he’s crazy. “I’m going. Call Red for me.”

  “Yeah, this is Dave.” He answers the ringing phone on his desk. He looks to me and gets on his computer. “Yeah. Yeah. Got it. Thanks.”

  “Dave?”

  He smiles. “Got a ping from her phone. That isn’t where she is.”

  “Well where the hell is she?” I’m anxious, nervous, and scared. I have no idea what to expect. He pulls up a map from his email. Clicks on the coordinates and a location appears on the screen.

  “They really lost me.” That small path led them right back to the highway. They drove several miles north.

  “Still gonna need that warrant.” He whispers as he writes down her location.

  “Dave.” My stern voice jolts him.

  “I got it. I’ll call Red, and get some back up ready.”

  “It’s a few hours to drive.” I say somberly. I have no idea what they plan on doing with her, but even a second goes by they could be torturing her, or worse.

  Chapter 49

  Red

  Anya takes me to her place. I’m surprised she’s ok with this given what just happened.

  “Red. Do you think?” She stops herself and looks at me. I shake my head. I can’t believe that will happen, that they’d kill her instantly.

  “No. Anya, how are you doing?”

  “Freaked out. That’s how. I keep thinking about their hands on me and then them handling her. I mean, she tried. She told me to run, and I did. I didn’t even try to help her.” She disappears into a room, and I’m left here wondering if I should follow her and comfort her, or stay here. “I-I’m just going to take a quick shower. If you don’t mind.” There’s a small hesitation with every step she takes. Even looking around slowly in her own home with a fright in her eyes aches me to think how she must feel after this.

  She’s nervous as she walks back in here, it’s putting more sadness through my mind

  “I’ll stay right here. Won’t move. Promise.” I lightly reply. I can see her eyes relax and she disappears again.

  What am I going to do? Now I feel how Miles felt when Vega went silent. Out of my element. I’ve never had this situation occur, and I have no idea how to fix this.

  My phone rings. “Hey, Dave.”

  “Red.” I don’t like the sound of his voice. “We just had a call in. Found another woman. I already called Miles, he wasn’t too far out. We had a hit on her phone. But it’s not where we found this body. He’s going head over, just in case.”

  “Fuck.” I say under my breath.

  “Yeah. I’ll see you there.” He hangs up. My body runs cold at the thought of it being Vega. I can’t leave Anya, but I can’t take her. That wouldn’t be right. I’ve got no choice.

  I knock on the bathroom door. “Anya?”

  Silence. I get nothing.

  “Anya? I just got a call from Dave, they found a body.” The water shuts off. At least I know she heard me.

  “Red?” That break in her voice kills me. I don’t like this situation any more than she does.

  “Yeah?”

  “I’ll go with you.” She says quickly. Can either one of us walk up to this body thinking its Vega? What if it is? I don’t want Anya to go, but I can’t leave her.

  “I’ll wait.” I sit back on the couch. I don’t know what’s going to happen when we get there. After a few minutes, she emerges. Fear remains in her eyes, and it matches the fear running through me. “Grab a jacket. Miles is on his way there.”

  The whole drive to the scene I notice Anya fidget with the hem of her shirt. I understand her worry right now. I don’t know what to think, I know our thoughts are that it is Vega. I don’t want that to be true. Hell, any woman found is sad.

  I pull up next to Miles. He’s in his car gripping the steering wheel. He looks over at me and I see that anguish overtaking him.

  “Oh, Miles.” Anya mutters as she glances back to me. I feel the same way, he’s going to break.

  We get out and he stands with us. “Red?” His voice cracks as he tries to hold it together.

  I know what he’s asking. “Want me to?” I don’t want to. But I know it’ll be worse for him.

  “Miles.” Her small voice catches his attention as she places a hand on his arm. “We all need to.” How she has so much courage to suggest that? She takes a step forward and we follow. I can’t let her be the one to do this.

  There’s a major hesitation in his steps the closer we get. I get a glimpse of the body. Dark brown hair, about Vega’s height. I want to stop. I take a look at him, his eyes are wide and his steps become smaller. Anya’s eyes are also fixed on the body, so I decide to lead the way.

  I stop at the body on the scene and take a good hard look at her face. Miles and Anya stop, staring from further back. I kneel down and am able to get a better view. My eyes go straight to him.

  “It’s not.” I whisper with a small relief.

  “I’m going to the location we found.” He didn’t waste any time turning around quickly and heading for his car. But not before he’s stopped by Rocky. I reach Miles just in time to prevent him from throwing his fist.

  “So Vega got her ass abducted, huh?” That’s the wrong thing to say to this man right now.

  “What the fuck do you want?” Miles clenches his teeth, and his fists.

  “That her?” This callous son-of-a-bitch has a smirk on his face. Like her death gives him satisfaction.

  Anya holds onto my arm and looks at me with concern. We need to stop this situation, and quick. Before I have a chance to even compose a plan, Dante furiously walks up, pushing himself between Miles and Rocky.

  “Back off, Rocky. Get the fuck out of here. I’ve talked to Holly.” Rocky flinches at that name. “You three are suspended. I’d rather do it alone than deal with your shit.” He growls the deepest sound I think I’ve ever heard anyone use. No, I think Vega has him beat, but his fierce voice echoes through this scene.

  Rocky scoffs and leaves. Dante lets out a large sigh. His whole body nearly slumps as his hand slides over his face. “Look. My actions up until now are inexcusable. I know. Trust me I’ve changed that. Holly told me what happened to Vega. We’ve got more people coming to help. No one like those three. I hate to ask this, but?” He says as he points to the body. Miles is still pissed, but shakes his head. Taking off as fast as he can before anyone can speak.

  “Where’s he going?” He watches Miles, then turns to us.

  “Got a hit on her phone. We believe she’s been the only woman to keep it on her as they took her.”

  “You know where they are?” Hope with a shine of tears hits his eyes at the thought of the location where his sister may be. He takes a step towards Miles’ car, but it’s too late to join him. That man isn’t wasting a second.

  “Like I said. Got a hit. Need a warrant.”

  Anya’s grip increases on me, bringing my attention to her. “Red. You need to help him. Go with him. Get those women. I’ll be fine. I’ve apparently got work to do and my assistant will be here.”

  “I’ll have Dave help you out? If that’s okay with you that is.” She nods. It’s not the most convincing nod but she’s pushing me towards Dante. “You call me if anything makes you unco
mfortable.” Another nod and I’m at Dante’s car.

  “Red. Save them.” Her quiet plea is all I can focus on.

  *​​*​​*

  “I heard you’ve named a possible suspect?”

  “Uh, yeah. An officer. James Miller. Why?”

  His hands tense and he bites his lip. “That’s who my sister just broke up with. I knew something was off about him. I tried to tell myself he’s a cop, and that he wouldn’t be bad. Hell, was I wrong.”

  I nod. Maybe he’d know his accomplices.

  “Would you know at least two men he may be doing this with? Since you knew him.”

  He shakes his head. So much for a lead on the other two. “I don’t get it, Dante. You and the others brushed her aside. You treated Vega like shit. And you were damn pissed when you thought I was interested in her.” May as well get this out of the way.

  “I wanted her to get out of here. To not be around the other three, the things they’ve said when she wasn’t around was alarming enough. She’s damn stubborn.” He chuckles.

  “Yeah. The attitudes from all of you is what’s fueled her.” This is going to be a long agonizing drive.

  “She is something else though. But I see where her interest lies. I’m not blind. Besides, I’m not looking for someone to challenge me on everything. She’d be a lot of work to keep happy.”

  Well, Miles will be glad to hear that. He seems to make her happy without effort. Although if their comments made Dante want her to be away from them, I’d hate to know what they had to say. Their dismissing her as an agent is the one thing that added to her determination. Without Miles interfering with Vega's plans, we probably wouldn’t have gotten this far on the case.

  I need to let Miles know to expect us. We shouldn’t surprise him. “Hey. We’re not far behind you. Wait for us when you get there.”

  “You sure? This isn’t exactly approved.”