Ethan rode a cab to the downtown Chicago Marriott when his phone buzzed. He dug it out of his pocket and absentmindedly glanced at the name above the number.
JHunt.
Oh crap. What now?
"Hey Jules."
"Hey baby. Still out saving the world?" His beautiful sassy wife of six years hadn't missed one of their regular check-ins. It was a system they'd worked out before heading off on their honeymoon. As long as they were apart (and it'd been longer than either liked) brief phone calls replaced intimacy. Physical reunions were no longer feasible.
"Yeah kinda. Look I'm in a tight spot right now. I'll call you back later."
"Actually I've got something to tell you-"
"Sorry hon. Later." Wonder what's up? Hope it's nothing bad.
"Ok. Love you."
And she was gone. Ethan stuffed his phone back into his pocket. A sardonic chuckle and head shake accompanied it.
Tight spot. Ha. Understatement of the year. Ya got no idea sweetheart...
And anyway he wasn't about to get into it with her about where he really was, who he was trying to find and why he couldn't stop until he did.
Finally after thirty excruciating minutes the yellow cab pulled in front of the seven story Marriott. It joined a queue of other vehicles waiting their turn dropping guests off at the covered front doors. Ethan threw two twenties over the seat. "Stay here. I won't be long." The cabby nodded and he jumped out.
Please be here. He prayed as he cut a beeline to the front desk. Fortunately an attractive redhead female clerk smiled at him from behind her computer.
"Good morning sir. How may I help you?"
He flashed his winning smile that never failed to charm its recipient. "Hi. I'm here to see a guest."
"Name please?"
"Nyah Hall."
The girl clicked a few times. She frowned a bit. Ethan felt his stomach drop as he scanned the lobby and every exit.
"We don't seem to have anyone by that name in the computer. Are you sure that's the right one?"
"Could she have checked in under an alias? Famous people tend to do that yanno. Keeps rabid fans away."
Now the clerk cocked her head defensively. "I'm sorry sir, but company policy states-"
"Look I'm sure you've got your reasons but she might be in trouble."
The clerk glanced both ways. She beckoned him to lean over the counter like she was going to show him proof the guest wasn't who he said she was.
"Listen," she muttered fingering her crisp white shirt. Her nameplate read TAMMY clipped to the breast of her black vest. "Last night some woman came in badly beaten. Ron Crew was on duty. He gave her a room and she acted weird like someone was after her." Ethan's heart leaped at the news. He gripped the marble countertop.
"Let me guess. Bronze complexion, brown hair, brown eyes?"
"Yes! That's the one. I wasn't there but Ron told me he recognized her from that news blurb a few weeks back. He wanted to call the police but she insisted she was fine. How do you know?"
"I saw the same broadcast." He had to move. Time was precious. "Is she here?"
Tammy felt moved by this stranger. His body cues and tone suggested this man cared. "You missed her. She checked out an hour ago."
No. I can't lose her again!
"Where?"
"I don't know. She didn't say anything and I didn't ask. I'm so sorry."
"Hey man what gives? There's more of us that want a room!"
Ethan thanked Tammy and raced back to the cab ignoring the heckling loudmouth.
"O'Hare Airport," he instructed the cabbie. "Fast as you can."
It's the only thing that makes sense. She never stays put for long. He dialed Luther Stickell who picked up on the second ring. "It's me. Bird's flown the coup. Now what?"
"I've tracked her signal to the airport but I don't know what flight she's boarded."
"Find it."
"She shut off her phone."
"Oh great. Now I'm playing chicken."
"Sounds like it. Man I couldn't believe what I saw on TV. Brutal. Who'd do such a thing?"
"A sadist." He kept his voice low but Luther heard the controlled anger in his friend's tone. Twelve years and they had no secrets from each other.
"Tell you what. Once Nyah turns on her cell I can ping it to yours."
"It's not what I want but it'll do. God, I hate this Luther. Every second matters. She's in no condition to travel and I can't-" He broke off fighting for control. "I can't-I just-"
"I know. You're gonna find her. Breathe brother."
He closed his eyes. In out, in out, in out. Good Hunt. Just keep focused-
Five seconds later his pager beeped.
TBC...
Sry for the short one guys, but life's been busy. Anyway hugs to the follows and review! Glad to see some life on this thing, lol.
