“What time did you get dropped off at Times Square Studios?” Detective Soloman asks.
“Umm…I think it was almost six.”
He nods, looking down at a notepad.
“You already know that though…”
“I do. We’ve seen the footage.”
“What does it show?” I ask, nervously.
“Well, it shows you getting out of Mr. Field’s car, standing for a few seconds while looking at your cellphone. Tell me what happened next, Miss Marshall…” he prompts.
I swallow, and silently pray. “Someone grabbed me.”
“Very brazenly, too. I’ve never seen anything like it. You were right in front of the door…ten seconds after you were dragged off, Lucas Field came out to find you.”
“Unfortunately the video didn’t show anything as the person was wearing all black and had a hood on.”
“What did,” I almost said she. “The person use to knock me out?”
“Standard chloroform. Typical. You can get that shit anywhere. The cloth was left at the scene,” Detective Lin says shaking her head. “What happened after you were taken?”
“I remember coming to, and I had a bag over my head. It smelled bad. I felt it against my face. It was burlap. My hands were tied behind my back, and I was sitting on a chair.”
“Was the bag on your head the entire time?”
“Yes,” I whisper, looking down at my hands.
Detective Soloman sits on a chair beside my bed. “We can take a break, if you like, Leah.”
“No, I’m okay. Can I have some water though, please?”
“I’ll get you some,” Doctor Allen says.
I forgot she was even in the room. “Thank you.”
“What was said during the two days? There were no known ransom demands that we were aware of.” Soloman gets his pad and pen ready.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” Detective Lin asks, seeming unsure of my answer.
I’m a bad liar. But I’m going to have to pull this off.
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I was alone in a room. I didn’t hear anything and no one spoke to me. Then suddenly, I was being dragged out, put in a car and then I was dropped off here. When I heard the car speed away, I took the chance and removed the bag. Then I saw where I was…”
“We’re happy you’re okay. You’ve got a lot of people worried about you. News broke, and you’ll want to debrief with your people before speaking with any media outlet.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“We’re doing a full investigation, Leah. We will find out who did this to you…and why.” Detective Lin crosses her arms again. “Do you want us to put you in protective custody?”
“No. I’ll be okay. I just want to continue with my life. I don’t know why this happened, but I feel like it’s over. I don’t want to let it ruin my life.”
“You’re stronger than most, Leah.”
I smile. They have no idea how wrong they are. After a few more questions, the police leave and I’m joined by Neil and Lucas again.
“Want to cuddle?” Neil asks, smirking at me.
If my body didn’t hurt so much, I’d totally cuddle it up with him right now. I frown and slowly shake my head.
He smiles and soothes my hair with his big hand. “I hope you don’t mind, but I called your friend Riley. She’s on her way here with your mom.”
“Thank you,” I say. Even though I’m not sure what I can say to them, I just want to see their faces…and have a good cry.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Weston
“Fuck!” I yell, enraged. My hand smashes through the wall in the bedroom I’m staying in at Josh’s.
Why the hell couldn’t I go with Riley? As fucking if she said no. I don’t care about how long I’ve known Leah, I need to see her. I need to see that she’s okay. She was kidnapped for fuck’s sake.
“Oh, my…Ahh!” I growl in frustration and run my hands angrily through my hair, pulling the roots.
All the local news channels are showing anything and everything on Leah. The keep playing her music video, which is making me want to punch the television and hug it all at the same time.
“Here,” Josh says, handing me a glass half-filled with scotch.
That’ll do.
“Thanks.” I look up at Josh. “I punched a hole in the bedroom wall.”
Josh shrugs. “Been there.”
“Police are remaining tight-lipped about any details regarding Leah Marshall’s disappearance. Her representatives are following suit. Manager Lucas Field gave cameras a smile and a quick “she’s okay” before climbing into a car and leaving the hospital this morning. Fans have gathered outside of the building to pray for Marshall. If you have any information concerning this, police have set up a tip hotline…”
“Who the fuck would do this?” Josh says in a low tone. “I wonder what they did to her…”
I glare at him. They better not have fucking touched her. I don’t even want to think about that. I shudder and look back at the TV. Deciding that it’s only torture to watch it, I text Riley to find out information.
Me: How is she?
Riley: She’s OK…
I wish people wouldn’t say that. Of course she’s not okay.
Me: When can I see her?
Riley: I don’t know, Weston.
Me: Why don’t you know?
Riley: Just…let her go. Forget her.
OK? I’ll see you back in WY.
What the hell just happened? Riley! Talk to me!
Riley doesn’t respond, and I let the phone drop from my hand onto the hardwood. Let Leah go? Not a chance.
***
Riley and her family flew back to Wyoming this morning. The police have surveillance footage from the Times Square building, although they don’t say what’s on it, Riley, Josh and I are all in the clear. As well as Leah’s manager Lucas and her bandmates.
I think I’ve dialed Leah’s phone number a thousand times, and listened to the electronic voice on the other end telling me that this number is no longer in service, suggesting I grow a brain and try my call again. I know she doesn’t have her phone, but something inside of me gets slight comfort just from seeing her name on my contact list. I slowly run my thumb over it one more time, trying to connect another unanswerable call.
“When are you flying out?” Josh asks, pulling me from my pout.
I answer without raising my head to look at him, my eyes still fixed on her name. “Eleven-forty. The office should be ready to go by the end of the week, so I’ll be back for good on Sunday.”
“Good, everyone at MP can’t wait to see you around the office. If it helps at all, there are a few cute interns who just started yesterday.”
It doesn’t help. Not anymore. “Can’t wait to meet them.” I manage a fake smile.
“Alright, buddy…I’m heading out. Are you gonna be okay?”
I let out a small chuckle. “Yes, I’ll be fine. Thanks for putting up with my shit, Josh. You’re a good friend. I think I might go to the gym before I leave, and let off some steam.”
“Here,” Josh says, rifling through his pocket. “Take this, it’s my card to get into the gym in the basement of this building.” He looks over at the clock. “If you leave soon, there should be a group of hotties starting a yoga class at nine-thirty.”
My smile doesn’t come out forced this time, and I take the plastic card from Josh. “Have a good day at the office, Joshy.”
“Will do, darlin’…” Josh says in a voice lower than his own, straightening his tie and puffing out his chest. “See you Sunday.”
I nod and salute with the card between my fingers.
The gym is pretty much barren except for two other men working out near the bench press. I walk around, stretching before I climb onto the treadmill. Pushing some buttons, the track starts to move, and my feet follow the pace.
Plugging in my iPod, selecting Shuffle, I listen to some old AC/DC
while increasing the speed on the machine. Faster and faster I run, my feet pounding the track. I raise the bar once more, pushing past my norm and into a whole new level. My knees are burning and my chest feels tight, but I don’t want to stop. I want to feel the hurt, even if it doesn’t match how shitty I feel everywhere else.
What did Leah go through when she was gone? What did they say to her? What did they do to her? Faster, harder, stronger. I start panting as the beads of sweat pour off my forehead and trickle down my face and chest.
Just as the song changes, the yoga group enters the gym, noticing me right away. A few smirks and grins from the women—who are yes, hot—and I think they deliberately set up their session right in view of the row of treadmills.
My heart slams against my chest, signaling me that I’m either going to die at any moment when it fails, or my brain has tuned in with the rest of my body and realized that South of Marshall is now playing over my iPod. I downloaded their music while sitting in full melancholy watching all the new coverage on her disappearance.
The fast country beat keeps my legs moving, and Leah’s sweet voice trickles into my head and through my body.
“I’m mesmerized by you baby, you got me in your grip.
I thirst for you baby, and not just for a sip…”
I can’t. No. Not anymore. Yanking out my earbuds, slowly decline my insanity and jump off the machine. Walking briskly away from it, and the yoga group that keep staring and whispering—damn you, downward dog—I grab a folded towel and wipe my face and chest.
Hanging the towel over my head like a hood, blocking the eyes from the hotties and letting me wallow in slight privacy, I make my way to the punching bags.
***
Leah
“Mom, no! I can’t go back to Maine, you know that. I have a show tonight.” I stood in the small kitchen of my hotel suite, with my arms crossed over my chest, shaking my head at my mother.
“Leah, think about everything for a minute. You were taken from us! From me! Do you know what that did to me? I’m your mother, and I’m supposed to take care of you.”
“I know, mom. I know. But, just hear me out, okay?” I try and come up with something that she’ll understand. “I don’t know why they took me. I don’t know why they let me go. All I do know is, I’m not going to let it control the rest of my life. I’m not going into witness protection at your house, and I’m not going to stay cooped up here like an animal. I have to sing, I need to breathe! You know that…”
My mom frowns and sighs. “I know…Just promise me you’ll call me every day. I mean it, Leah. Every. Single. Day. And if you don’t Neil promised he’ll make you call me.”
“I bet he did,” I say, smiling. “Listen, come to the show before you leave. See that I’m okay…”
“Do I get a special VIP pass backstage?”
I laugh and reach out to hug her. “You, and only you, mom.”
“I love you, Leah.”
“Love you too…”
A gentle knock on my door breaks our embrace and I quickly give my mother a smile before walking across the room to open it. Not before checking the peephole, of course.
“There’s my girl,” Neil says when I open the door and almost tackle him in a bear-hug. “Ready to go?”
“Where are you going?” Mom asks.
“Leah needs to do some retail therapy. She also needs a new phone…” Neil says, straightening his jacket.
“Well, at least she’s with you, Neil. I won’t be in here panicking while she’s gone.”
“You’re not coming, mom?”
“No, baby. Thanks though. I think I need a nap, I haven’t slept much lately.”
I give my mom a quick kiss on the cheek and grab my purse before heading out the door with Neil.
“She okay?” He asks when he step into the elevator.
“Yeah, she’ll be fine. She’s just worried.”
Neil turns and looks at me. “We were all worried, Leah. We probably won’t stop worrying until they find those motherfuckers.”
I shrug. “At least I’ve got you.”
“That you do, my girl. That you do.” Neil wraps his arm around my shoulders and walks me out of the elevator and into the lobby of the hotel.
“What do you think about this one?” I ask, holding up a plaid babydoll shirt without straps.
“I think you need to try that on, it’s gorgeous. I love the colors,” Neil says, flipping through hangers on the rack in front of him.
“I’ll need a new push-up bra too, I didn’t bring one to New York.” I head over to the intimates department and thumb through bras. Selecting my size in a black half-cup, bust enhancing power-bra, I almost skip toward the dressing room. This is definitely what I needed today.
Stripping off my hoodie and t-shirt, I undo my bra and drop it on the bench in front of me in the dressing room. I can’t help but look at myself in the mirror. The marks are almost gone. The proof that Weston’s hands and mouth were on me…is fading away. Tiny pink marks are all that remain now. I absentmindedly trace my fingertips around the curve of my breast, over the place his mouth was only a few days ago.
I close my eyes, forcing the tears back into my head. Stop it, Leah. You can do this. You can do this! I swallow the sadness that’s building into a ball in my throat and drop my hand from my chest. How can I do this? How can I never speak to the man that I fell in love with overnight?
Damn.
Did I fall in love? I laugh softly…No, I couldn’t have. He gave me multiple mind-numbing orgasms, and the best sex of my freaking life. But that can’t be love. What I had with Joel was love…wasn’t it? Feeling gooey all the time, hearts and roses? That’s what it’s supposed to be, right?
I tell myself to stop being so stupid. I pick up the strapless bra, wrap it around my chest and clasp it. Oh, damn, this thing is a miracle maker. My boobs haven’t had this type of cleavage in a long time. Hello, ladies…
“Well?”
“Well what? Did my jaw on the ground not give you reason enough to buy it? Fuck, girl, you’re hot,” Neil growls when he walks up to me outside the dressing room and spins me around with his hand. “You’re so getting that.”
Neil’s phone rings.
“Who is it? Huh? Who is that calling you?” I ask, playfully, trying to see his caller ID.
“Shh!” Neil puts his fingers to his lips and answers the phone. “Hello?”
His eyes light up.
“Oh, hey…I was wondering when I was going to hear from you.”
I stand in front of him, crossing my arms, bulging my cleavage out further, waiting for him to tell me who is calling him.
“Jay,” he whispers, covering the phone with his hand.
I muffle my squeal.
Jay is the bar owner of a club we play at a few times a month. I told Neil when we were on stage that Jay couldn’t take his eyes off of him. Neil didn’t believe me. So I took matters into my own hands.
I had walked off the stage during our break, made my way up to the bar and leaned over, beckoning Jay in a ‘come hither’ motion with my finger.
“Jay, either you go over there and finally talk to him…or I’m going to bring him over here and make you.”
“Leah,” Jay said, rubbing his hand across the back of his neck. “What makes you think he’s even interested?”
“Because even though he’s behind me on stage, I can feel his eyes on you the entire time. He drums with more passion when we’re playing here…don’t you notice that?”
Jay blushed. His soft brown hair falling onto this forehead when he lowered his head to smile. “Well…yeah.”
“So, what’ll it be?”
Jay stood up, rolled his neck to loosen his muscles and probably gained some courage. “I’ll talk to him. And damn, you’re a pushy little thing aren’t you?”
“You’ll thank me later.”
Neil paced in front of the dressing rooms, chewing his fingernails. “I don’t know, Leah…”
“You don’t know what? He likes you, you like him…what’s the problem?”
“The problem is…well, there isn’t one. Shut up.”
“Exactly! Is he coming to the show?”
Neil nods and grins.
“Let’s find you something new to wear then. We’ll get my phone later.”
Neil picks out a new pair of worn-style jeans, a snakeskin belt, and a dark blue button-up shirt with short sleeves and silver buttons. I nod approvingly when he comes out of his dressing room. His tattoos peek out from the sleeves, and when he raises his arms to run his fingers through his hair, his biceps bulge.
If Neil wasn’t gay, I would have made a move on him ages ago. He’s just…beautiful.
“Jay’s gonna have a hard time keeping off the stage when he sees you wearing that.”
“Let’s hope so, baby girl.” Neil grins and fixes his hair with his fingers in a mirror. “Phone?”
I nod, and we head to T-Mobile.
Lucas is the first person I call on my new phone.
“Are you ready for tonight, Leah? If not, we’ll cancel.”
“Lucas, yes! I’m ready…I need this. Neil and I already bought outfits anyway, so we can’t back out now.” I giggle…something I haven’t done in a few days and it feels good.
“Good,” Lucas says with a sigh. “This time I’m personally coming in the car to pick you up.”
“Okay, we’ll be ready. Bye, Lucas.”
My next call is to Riley. But it goes to voicemail. I leave a message. “Hey, girl. It’s Leah. This is my new number…Thank you for everything…I mean it. I know it wasn’t easy to lie to him, and I appreciate you always being there for me. I can’t wait to talk to you again.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Weston
I’ve been in Wyoming for exactly twenty minutes, and already I’m internally screaming at myself for coming back. Leah’s not here…and even though I didn’t see her in New York, I knew she was at least in the same city. I have to meet with Pete in forty minutes to discuss the final details of the build. I texted Riley not to come. I don’t want to see her right now. Too painful.
Meadowlarks 3 : Endless Page 9
