Chapter 17: Calling Backup

Once she had dropped the rest of her things in her car Candice got into the driver's seat and pulled out her phone. She pulled up the Westwood and driving directions. It was only a 10 minute drive there and it wasn't too far out of her way.

Her finger hovered over Beth's number. She wanted to call them and share the lead, this was their area of expertise. But this could be anyone really, she reasoned. She didn't want to get their hopes up for nothing. Deciding to go there herself and just ask the staff some questions about this Noelle person. Maybe if she got a last name that could be of more help verifying.

A picture would be better she realized. And that David would go crazy if he knew she wanted to check out a lead on her own without telling someone where she was. With a sigh Candice dials Beth planning to tell her what she knows and have her send a photo. Again her phone goes to voicemail and Candice hangs up. David would probably have a photo he could send her and know which of Josef's men to call.

She didn't want to call and wake up Josef with a something so flimsy. He'd been on edge since Ryan showed up. She knew it was worry and frustration but he tended to be a bit easier to bite someone's head off and she didn't plan on letting it be hers.

Dialing David she listened to the phone ring and ring as she headed towards the Westwood. David's phone went to voicemail as well and she hangs up. He had told her he was going to try and squeeze in as much as possible so that when she arrived they could be free of everything and only worry about the two of them.

At a stop light Candice thinks of who else she can call. Ryan. She had his number and he traveled with Josef's men. She could call him and have him tell them what was going on. Finding the number she listened to yet more rings fully expecting this call to go to voicemail as well.

"Hello?" He answered and snapped her from her thoughts.

"Ryan, it's me."

"Candice…are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Look I was getting ready to leave and I got this idea. I may have a lead on Coraline. It might be legit or it might be a colossal waste of time but I think it's worth checking out. I'm headed there now."

"Who's with you?"

"No one."

"I thought you had protection. No one put any guards on you?"

"I've told you before I'm not on her radar. Besides David put someone on me but I was supposed to go to the airport first thing this morning I sent him home. That's not important. I just wanted to let someone know where I was going and Beth and David didn't answer and I don't want to call Josef until I'm sure it's something. I don't have any of the guards in my phone."

"Where are you going?"

"The Westwood on Hilgard. I'm almost there."

"DON'T!" He took a breath. "Look you may not be on her radar but if you go snooping around and this is her she won't hesitate to kill you. Wait for me I'm 10 minutes away."

Seeing he had a point Candice agreed, "I'm pulling into the parking garage now. I'll stay by the car and wait for you."

"I'll be there as soon as possible."

"Okay I'm going to hang up now. I'm going to try and make another call."

Ryan assured her he'd be there soon and she hung up. Going back to David's number she tried to call him again. The phone rang once then cut out. She looked down and noticed her cell service was crap. Getting out of the car Candice walked around the car hoping for a better signal.

Ryan pulled his motorcycle into the parking garage scanning the area for Candice's car. In the back he spotted it and parked his bike. Walking up he saw the drivers door open and no Candice to be found. Scenting the area he saw Candice get out of her car looking at her phone holding it out to try for a better signal. Then he saw someone behind her suddenly grab her.

The scene splintered and before he could see anymore he sensed someone near him. Turning on his hunches ready to attack just as a vampire came at him. Ryan managed to deflect the first couple of blows but when he landed his own punch another man can out of nowhere and hit him in the back of the head with something heavy and hard.

The blow was hard but he didn't completely black out. His body slumped over but his senses were still semi-alert. He could see clouded images, hear muffled sounds, smell the fumes left behind on the concrete beneath him. Then he smelt the scent he was sure he'd never forget, Coraline.

Her scent was soon followed by the clicking of heels on the ground growing closer. Soon a blurry form came into his view and he knew it was her. "Poor Ryan I told you not to come after me."

Then it all went black.

To Be Continued…

Evilous