Chapter Fifteen
Lost.
They’d lost them. Adam stared at the spot where they’d last seen the vehicle which had carried Katya away. How on earth had the NYC police lost them? He slammed his fist against the wall of the building, drawing blood.
“Fuck,” he yelled.
They would kill her. Transport her elsewhere. God knew where. He couldn’t imagine it. He didn’t want to think about it. He had to find her. Somehow.
Adam returned to his bike and drove off. He dialed Eddie on hands-free.
“Nothing?”
“Nothing. We’ve lost visual.”
He took a deep breath. He had to keep a level head.
“Run the plate against DMV and records again. Push alerts to all units to keep an eye out for it. Someone has to see it.”
“Copy that.”
“Check CCTV near likely safe houses in the direction it was going. You know, motels, lots, industrial buildings. Leave no stone unturned.”
“Got it. I’ll call you if we find anything.”
“Thanks.”
He hung up and stared into the quickly darkening city.
The last rays of sunlight glistened on the tall buildings.
Long shadows began to appear, and streetlamps flickered on.
Had he really been on this mad chase all day?
For a woman he hardly knew? Katya’s bright green eyes danced in his mind, playful.
He knew nothing about her, but he needed her more than the air he breathed.
“Screw it.”
He mounted his bike and roared into the traffic.
He’d just drive around for a bit, maybe catch a glimpse of something.
Or hope he did. Daylight gave way into night.
Neon signs flashed, drunk people staggered and shouted from the sidewalks, accompanying the wails of sirens.
The wind slapped his face, carrying the smells of trash, asphalt, and fried food.
The buildings towered around him, a labyrinth of life and death.
He was almost at the edge of the city when he spotted it.
A black Mercedes sedan. The numbers and letters coincided.
His heart jumped. Could it be? He slowed his bike, careful not to be seen as he followed the vehicle from a distance.
The streetlights flickered in the area, illuminating empty streets and cracked sidewalks.
The sedan pulled into a fenced lot behind a warehouse.
To the casual observer it was nothing more than an old, ugly building with boarded windows and empty shipping containers.
Adam drove past, pretending to be en route to another place, but finally ducking into an alleyway and killing the engine.
He raced back, keeping to the shadows, and observed, hidden behind a dumpster as the sedan door opened.
Two large men stepped out. One of them opened the trunk.
He picked up a lump. Adam’s pulse skipped a beat.
He held his breath and let it out in a long swoosh as the victim came into sight under the lamp.
It wasn’t her.
Disappointment snaked into his system, curling his hands into frustrated fists.
The woman the man carried like a sack of potatoes had long dark hair.
Katya was blonde. He checked the car again.
It was the same one they had been following, but at some point, something had changed.
Eddie had seen three men. Now, there were only two. He cursed inwardly.
Quickly, he scanned the building, noting the entrances and exits.
Katya could still be in there, and that other woman needed help too.
He took note of everything he saw, possible entry points, guards, other vehicles.
Then, he made his way back to his bike and called Eddie.
A few minutes later, headlights pierced the darkness as multiple vehicles arrived.
Officers disembarked and took positions.
Adam moved closer and got into position.
His pulse beat mercilessly. She had to be in there. He made the signal.
All hell broke loose. Shouts, commands, flashlights piercing through the darkness.
In less than an hour the building was cleared, suspects arrested, and women saved from slavery.
Katya was not one of them.
Adam stared at the now empty warehouse. Shock and despair made their way through him, causing tears to prickle his lids. Frustration gnawed at him, and he clenched his jaw.
“Great work, Carter.” His boss slapped him on the back. “What’s wrong?”
Adam shook his head.
“The girl I was tailing was not in there,” he said, his tone coming out flat.
His boss nodded grimly.
“They were on to you, then. It’s a miracle we were able to help these. Let the rest of the team do their work, maybe we can get some information and find that girl you’re looking for tomorrow. There’s still hope.”
Adam flattened his lips into a thin line.
“Sir—”
“Go home and rest, Carter. You’re no use if you’re exhausted.”
“The woman I was tailing could be in trouble.”
“And you could make a fatal mistake because you’re so damned tired and hung up on this girl you could die. Go home. Rest. It’s an order. Tomorrow morning we’ll pick it up again.”
“All right,” he said reluctantly.
Deep down, he knew his boss was right. He was too tired to think properly, and he might make a mistake which could cost Katya her life. He needed to rest, gather energy, and strategize.
“Please hang on, little one. I’m coming for you,” he whispered making his way back to his bike and home.