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The next morning Joshua hurried to his breakfast meeting. Renee was there already. They exchanged a glance, and Joshua was just about to take his seat when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Mr. Doors, a moment of your time." Sandoval stated.
A look of extreme annoyance flickered across Joshua's face, masking the fear, as he turned around. "I'm fixing to atten a rather important meeting . . ." he started, but Sandoval cut him off.
"Which I'm sure Miss Palmer can handle quite well."
Sandoval was right - Joshua really had no excuse. But he was reluctant to go with the Agent, considering what Sandoval had done to him.
Renee spoke from behind Joshua, nearly causing him to jump, "We're fixing to begin - are you coming?"
It was Sandoval's turn to look annoyed, "I'm afraid I have some pressing matters to discuss with Mr. Doors."
Joshua's heart was racing and he was barely suppressing his instinctive fear reaction. "Yeah, Renee, you can handle the meeting."
"Are you sure you want me to handle it? I know it's important." Renee asked carefully, studying his face, reading his fear.
"Yeah Renee," Joshua gave a forced grin, "I trust you."
"And don't forget that you promised me lunch."
Joshua looked at her gratefully, "Yeah. I'll see you then." //I hope.// he added silently as he followed Sandoval out of the hotel where the conference was being held. He wasn't sure what to expect. He knew what he feared and given that Ellison had evidently been kidnapped by Sandoval, this was not the most encouraging situation in the world.
Sandoval spoke, "I'm here to check on you and see how you're doing. I was hoping that you might have had the opportunity to remember some more information about the men who kidnapped you, since the last time we talked."
Joshua shook his head, "I'm coping, but no, I don't remember anything else." Why was Sandoval putting him through this? Could Sandoval possibly suspect that Joshua was lying?
"I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Doors. Yesterday, a police detective was kidnapped and ."
"You believe it might be the same person?"
"Perhaps. Like your abduction, there are absolutely no clues to be found. Also, the detective's partner, a police observer is missing. The police are most puzzled."
What Joshua wanted to say was: //Why don't you check the mothership or one of your secret torture chambers// but he settled for "Sorry, can't help you . . ."
Sandoval frowned. Then it dawned on Joshua, Sandoval was afraid that Joshua remembered. Joshua was a loose end, a potential threat to whatever he was currently up to. However, unlike so many other, Joshua couldn't just be killed, or kidnapped again.
Their walk had found them outside the Police Station where Sandoval stopped, "The Cascade Police are compiling a group of people who might have wanted to kidnap Ellison or his partner. I've added a few potential suspects myself. Surely you wouldn't mind taking a look - just in case."
"I'd be happy to." Joshua said neutrally.
They entered the Police Station.
***********************
Liam had done some research on the case, following through on his promise to help. As a companion protector, he had access to things that the police would not. Unfortunately, he found absolutely nothing that would have been able to tell him where Ellison or his partner might be or who might have kidnapped them. Liam had a thought that it might very well be the Taelons. But why would they have invited the guy to be a protector and then kidnapped him before he had even responded? It made no sense - but the timing was a bit too coincidental - it didn't feel right. And why would the detective's partner be missing as well?
Liam sighed and picked up his global. "Hey Augur, I need some help."
"I figured as much."
"Have you heard about the kidnapping of the police detective and the disappearance of his partner?"
"Yeah, actually I've been investigating that."
"So what have you found?" Liam queried. He wasn't too surprised that Augur was ahead of him - Augur had a knack for anticipating his needs."
"I can't really discuss that over this Liam. I've got some stuff you need to see and hear. It's really important."
Now this surprised Liam, but he didn't question it. Augur would have a good reason for it. "I can't come right away - give me a few hours. Sandoval has called another companion protector meeting and I can't miss it.
Augur nodded, "Okay, just get here ASAP."
"Will do." Liam snapped the global shut.
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