Chapter Four

They stood in the apartment that was filled with shadows as the curtains were tightly closed and no lights were on except a dim lamp. Neela wrapped her arms round her, shivering in the chilled air.

"Here, take this," the guy said to her, busily hurrying around gathering up his belongings. She looked at his offerings in surprise. She took the crisps and bottled water.

"It's poisoned?" she questioned him and he rolled his eyes.

"Listen Rasgotra. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead got it? I wouldn't hesitate believe me." She did. Everything about him told her he was capable of anything….his nervous energy, the way his voice shook. He was right on the edge and anything could tip him over.

She took in his appearance. He had longish brown hair and cool grey eyes, average height. He looked like any ordinary average person…and she'd seen him before. In the hospital just before she left, she had treated him.

"I take it you don't really need the antibiotics then," she sat down and ate her crisps.

"Huh? Oh right, no." he was retrieving some money…it looked like a lot from where she was sitting.

"So why bother coming in?" she had to keep him talking, keep his mind off his real agenda…whatever that was.

"For a doctor you don't know much do you? I had to make sure people saw me. I spoke to the nurses earlier…gave them my name. So I have an alibi for the time of your disappearance if the cops decide to check me out."

She nodded. "Why would they want to do that?"

"In case you didn't notice, I'm not the nicest guy on the planet. You should count yourself lucky girl, that I haven't done worse to you. Truth is…I feel kinda sorry for you. This whole mess isn't even your fault. But we all have a part to play, right? You'd better eat that….you won't be getting any morefor a while."

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Ray sat in the police station. It was now two days since Neela's disappearance. He hadn't found anything on the streets of Chicago with the others, he hadn't been expecting to. But he couldn't just sit and do nothing…everyone knew the longer it went on, well, the less chance there was of finding the one who was missing.

"Look Mr Barnett," said the police woman in front of him kindly. "We are doing everything we possibly can to help your case. We've put her profile up on the computer and we've taken all of her details. I know this must be very traumatic for you and if you need to talk to anyone about this…."

"I know it's your job to calm me down," he told her. "That's why they sent you, right? But I don't want to be calm. Neela isn't just some case. I know you get things like this everyday but she…you have to find her."

A look of sympathy flickered across the woman's eyes, but then the professional mask went back up. "Maybe you could look around all the places she hung out. Ask her friends and family? At the end of the week they'll assign an officer to the case…I mean, to Miss Rasgotra's disappearance. Then we'll talk about the media. Talks on television or the newspaper can be very effective in drawing out who you're looking for, or if anyone has seen her or the person who kidnapped her. . In the meantime I suggest you get some rest. You look like you haven't slept in days."

"I haven't. And thanks i guess."

Just as he stood up to leave, his mobile started to ring. He answered it almost instantly. "Neela?"

"Close, but no such luck mate." The voice on the other end sounded vaguely familiar. He should recognise it, but he didn't.

"You've seen her? Where is she?"

There was a laugh. "She's right here Ray, she's in the car. And she's fine…for now."

Ray glanced up at the policewoman…he remembered her name now. Grace Taylor. She was looking at him in concern. "What do you want? Who are you? Let me talk to her!"

"Would have thought you'd have recognised me by now. But that doesn't matter Barnett. Don't worry; I'll soon let you know what I want."

Before Ray could do anything the guy hung up. In a fit of frustration, he threw the mobile across the room.

"Ray?" asked Taylor, walking over to pick up the phone.

"It was him. The bastard who took her. I should know who he is but I can't remember. Can you trace the call?"

She nodded. "Just remember, he's probably calling from a pay phone, so we won't get an exact location. But it's a start. We can ask around for eye witnesses see what comes up ok?"

Ray hoped it was soon rather then later. And for now, all he could do was go back to the ER, the last place he wanted to be. But at least it would help keep his mind off things.

"I promise we'll do everything we can to find them Ray."

He barely even heard her.

TBC. You will find out who has kidnapped Neela soon, I promise!