Chapter 36
Matt
The incoming text chimed just as my mind finally stopped beating itself up enough to let me drift to sleep.
I’d told Madi to reach out if she needed help, so I squashed my impulse to ignore it.
Jamie: SOS Madi’s missing!
I was out of my bed and pulling my pants on when his next text came through.
Robinson Blaszek she went to Star Grocery go look for her.
I'd strapped on my pistol and was grabbing my keys from the hook near my front door when the next text hit.
I need everyone else here now.
“Call Nathan.” I ordered my phone as I ran to my SUV. My gear was in the back, so no matter what happened, I was ready.
Nathan answered, “I’m on my way.”
“Meet you there.”
The call disconnected.
My mind picked up the bat I’d been using to beat myself once more.
I should have stayed.
Madi didn’t want you to.
I should’ve slept in my truck.
John told you not to.
I should’ve asked if they needed anything before I left.
Half her family was there.
I had a counter for every thought, but none of it mattered. Madi was in trouble, and I had to act.
I should have stayed, played on repeat in my mind.
Madi hadn’t wanted me on the couch, but I knew they’d need help. I didn’t want to go, but I couldn’t ignore her wishes. I should’ve parked outside. Then this wouldn’t have happened.
“That won’t help anyone,” I said to the dash as I turned the key.
A new chorus played in my mind.
What the fuck was she thinking, going to the store alone? Why did Jamie let her go?
The answers to those questions didn’t matter. Jamie had a lot on his plate; if Madi went to the store in the middle of the night, there was a good reason.
I hadn’t made many vows in my life, but I made one now.
“I will find you, Madi. I swear on my life, I will find you.”
I punched the gas and pushed the boundaries of the law as I raced to the store.
Madi’s purple jeep was easy to spot. Near the driver’s side was a cart full of water.
After scanning for threats, I jumped out of my SUV and approached O.P. with my hand on my pistol.
Distilled water. For baby formula. Shit, that explains why they didn’t think to call.
As I looked around, I saw Madi’s keys on the ground. I snapped a few pictures, then picked them up. When I tried the driver’s side door, it was unlocked.
Madi was ‘this’ close to making it safely into her car.
Nathan pulled in and parked next to me.
“Find anything?” His eyes were already scanning the scene.
“She didn’t leave voluntarily.” I held the keys up and nodded towards the cart.
Save your energy, Robinson. Letting your anger flare won’t help anyone.
“I’ll go talk to the clerk; ask if they have cameras.”
I snapped pictures as I searched for clues.
Nothing.
“Clerk didn’t see anything. The only camera points at the door.”
“Fuck.”
“A woman matching Madi’s description paid for the water.” He ran his hand through his dark hair. “Lock the Jeep.” He grabbed the cart handle. “Let’s take this to Jamie’s and figure out our next steps.”
I locked the Jeep as I told my phone to dial Jay. Nathan and I loaded the water into his truck while I waited for Jay to answer.
“What’d you find?” Jay asked as a greeting.
Fine by me; we didn’t have time to waste. I filled him in, appreciating his level head.
“Are you on your way back?”
“We’re leaving now.” I answered for both of us. “Tell Jamie Nathan has the distilled water.”
“Did you call the police?”
“Nathan’s on it.”
“I’ll call Sammie.”
Thank God SSI had officers from Weatherford’s finest on their payroll. We’d need all the help we could get.
When, because if wasn’t a concept I would consider, I found Madi, I’d grovel on my hands and knees and beg for her forgiveness.
I’d fucked up, twice in one day, and now Madi was suffering through God only knows what.
Images flashed through my mind, each worse than the last, of what Paul might do to her.
Molten lava flowed through my veins at the thought of him touching her.
If he hurt her in any way, shooting him would be too quick an end. I’d rip his fingers off while holding my boot to his throat.
I punched the dashboard. Get your shit together, Robinson. Acting out revenge scenarios wouldn’t help me find Madi.
“You’re better than this,” I told myself.
I spent the rest of the short ride to Jamie’s box breathing to get my mind and nerves under control.
Unwilling to waste a single second, Nathan and I jogged as we carried the gallons of water to the house in one trip.
Jamie’s kitchen had turned into command central.
“Ashley’s here,” John reassured Nathan as we walked in. “The girls are in Emily’s bedroom with the twins.”
I updated them on what we’d found—a big flaming pile of nothing.
“This is all my fault,” Jamie said, his eyes wild with fear and self-loathing. “I didn’t think, just let her leave, and now she’s…”
I understood his grief. I hadn’t stopped blaming myself since I’d read his text.
“We’ll find her,” Jack comforted his brother.
“I’m tracing her phone signal,” Doug said from the kitchen table. “I should have her location in a minute.”
I prayed while Jamie leaned over Doug’s shoulder, willing the screen to yield the results we needed.
John pulled Jamie back. “Give him some room.”
“Found her.”
All heads turned to Doug. No air passed any lips. My heart stood still.
Doug's fingers flew over the keyboard. "She's in an abandoned warehouse."
Every phone pinged.
“I just sent the address.”
I pulled up the address as John gave orders.
“Suit up, we’re going in hot.”
“Yes, sir." We were one voice.
“Jamie, stay here.”
“Hell, no.”
“You’re in no condition to operate.”
“I. Will. Not. Stay. Home.”
The room was eerily silent while Jamie stared down his father. John held the stare for one full breath before conceding. “Fine, but you’re staying at command central.”
We ran to our vehicles and grabbed our gear. Back in the house, we slipped protective vests over our shoulders and rifles around our necks.
We’re coming Madi.
“Robinson, Maxwell, Jay, you ride with Blaszek.”
I handed Nathan my keys. My SUV had more room than his truck. He accepted them with a nod.
“Jamie, Jack, you’re with me. Janerek, Sharpe will ride with you.”
“Sharpe, you have your drone?”
“Yes, sir. Charged and ready to fly,” Doug answered, picking up his laptop. “I’ll let you know if Madi’s location changes.”
Hold on Madi, we’re coming.
Nathan’s hand landed on my shoulder. “We’ll find her.”
"Hooyah."