CHAPTER 8

"You're sure?" Lee urgently asked as he grabbed the papers that Francine held out to him.

Francine nodded. "Reports of a man matching Carlo's description confirm that he was last seen at construction sites in the area." She pointed at the papers clenched in Lee's fist. "The addresses are listed there."

Lee let out a deep breath, his voice hard. "It's not much, but at least it's something."

"It would fit Redding's style," Francine replied. "The last time he tried to kill you, it was at a construction site. He's a creature of habit. It makes sense that he would use a construction site again."

"Listen, people." Billy stood up from behind his desk. "We need to check out the addresses at these construction sites pronto." He turned to the blond agent. "Francine, get a team together and take the first page of addresses."

Lee nodded, his mind completely focused on finding Amanda. "I'll take the construction sites on the second page."

"I expect you both to check in with me if you find anything," Billy stated, his voice final. "Don't do anything until backup arrives. Do I make myself clear?"

Lee and Francine both agreed. As Lee swiftly turned to leave the office, a sweaty hand grabbed his arm.

Lee's head snapped towards Conrad's hand on his sleeve. Frustrated, he let out a harsh breath.

"What can I do to help?" Conrad asked, his voice trembling.

Lee pulled his arm away and shook his head. "Just stay here, Conrad. We'll get word to you." As Lee turned to go, a sweaty hand grabbed his arm again.

"Please, Lee," Conrad pleaded. "Let me help. Amanda's done a lot for me, and if there's anything I can do... I want to help."

Lee let out another deep, agitated breath. He didn't have time for this discussion! His whole body needed to act to save Amanda, and ole sweaty hands stopped him from moving.

Just as Lee opened his mouth to tell Conrad 'no', Amanda's gentle face floated into his mind. Thinking about what Amanda would do, Lee closed his eyes for a brief moment. She would be patient with Conrad, and she would let him help. 'Clearly, Amanda's bad habits are beginning to rub off on me,' Lee thought to himself.

Lee nodded his head. "Okay, Conrad," he grudgingly relented, his voice firm. "But do exactly what I tell you."

Without even waiting for a response, Lee quickly turned and left the office. Conrad hurried after Lee, his hands clasped together again, doing his best to keep up.

Conrad leaned his head against the window of Lee's corvette, moaning in agony as Lee slammed the accelerator of his car. He rubbed his aching legs as they reached yet another construction site.

To say the least, Lee's endurance completely amazed Conrad. After racing up and down countless flights of stairs, Lee didn't slow down in the slightest. Conrad, on the other hand, valiantly tried to prevent himself from collapsing on the floor beneath him.

The corvette spun to the side as it came to a grinding stop. Conrad pushed opened the car door and forced his legs to move. He started to follow Lee into the building when Lee abruptly stopped.

Confused, Conrad looked at Lee. "What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, still trying to catch his breath.

Lee quickly pressed his finger on his lips, signaling for Conrad to be quiet.

Conrad closed his mouth and stopped talking. He looked around, trying to find out why Lee wanted him to be quiet. No matter how hard his eyes searched, he couldn't find anything different from the other construction sites.

Large, thick bushes covered the ground next to the construction site entrance. Lee carefully walked to them, his heart aching for Amanda with each step. Kneeling down on one leg, he slowly reached out and removed a ragged piece of cloth from one of the sharp leaves. He closed his eyes and let out a shuddering breath.

The thoughts in Conrad's head jumped from confusion to complete bewilderment. He found no possible reason why Lee Stetson would want a ripped chunk of fabric.

Lee clutched the object in his hand and returned to Conrad's side. His eyes blazed in anger as his grip on the cloth tightened.

"What is it? What do you have?" Conrad asked while shrugging his shoulders.

Lee paused a moment before responding. He clenched his teeth together as he ground out, "It's a piece of the bandage on Amanda's ankle."

TBC