Albert put the phone away and looked at the empty stroller. His heart stopped beating once again.
She's safe. She has to be, Al. Besides, with the police officers and Vinnie helping you, there's no way you won't find her. Right?
He left the park and headed back to the motel he was staying at. He tried reaching Stephanie and Valerie again but they weren't picking up. Probably busy.
If only someone like Ranger or Morelli...no there's no way.
Morelli was busy with his job in Trenton. And Ranger...he didn't know the guy well enough, besides, he didn't think he liked him very much.
Besides, Vinnie seems like a swell guy! I dint know why people call him a weasel all the time...sure, he isn't the best dresser...
He heard a loud knock on the door and jumped. He quickly put his thoughts away and went to answer. He was nervous so He quickly looked through the peephole.
The man at the door had slim Mediterranean features, with dark, brown hair. He was dressed in a white shirt and black pants.
Who the heck is this?
He thought the man might be lost so he opened the door to send him the right way.
"About damn time. Were you going to make me wait at the door all night," the man asked.
Kloughn opened his mouth to tell him He was at the wrong door but the words died in his mouth and he felt dizzy.
I must be in an episode of the Twilight Zone.
"Vi... Vinnie? Is that you?" he asked tentatively.
The man looked back at him like he was insane.
"Who else would I be? The tooth fairy?"
Vinnie entered the room and looked around while Albert shut the door.
"You look..eh..different than usual Vincent." Dare he say...handsome?
Vinnie looked down at himself.
"I was having a day off, didn't think I'd need my usual attire out here anyway. No one we know is out here right now." Then, he looked at Kloughn sharply.
"You will tell no one of this. Understand?"
Kloughn blinked rapidly and nodded dumbly.
"Sure, sure, Mr.- Vinnie. I won't tell a soul that you didn't wear your suit and stuff."
He would ask why it was so important, but he could see the drastic change that had resulted from him removing all the finery, fake tan, and hair oil.
Though I wonder what's up with that. Better leave it alone though.
"So what do you think we should do? Like I said earlier, over the phone, the police are on it but I don't know. The situation is strange. I'm dying inside not knowing where my baby is." The corners of his eyes tightened and he looked high strung. His fluffy, blond hair was disheveled.
Vinnie looked him over. "Lucky for you I know a few people here. I got in touch and it seems at least one of them has some information he's willing to...part with."
Alberts eyes widened.
"Really?! Someone knows something and is going to help us," he put his hand over his chest and doubled over with relief, "That's great. That's really great." He stood up and straightened his back. His wide brown eyes seemed to harden.
"Take me to him."
Vinnie raised his eyebrows but didn't comment on the sudden backbone Kloughn seemed to have grown. Instead he said, "Well get changed. A suit isn't going to cut it where we're going." He turned away to open th contents in his briefcase.
"What do you mean? Where are we headed?" asked Al.
Vinnie turned around, a leather jacket in hand. He put it on over his shirt and turned back around. He ran his hand through his hair to push it back.
"We're going underground."