Bound

Chapter Sixteen: The Missing

      The day was cloudy and threatening more rain as Detective Savannah Green walked to the cruiser.  Flashing lights from multiple cop cars and vivid yellow tape marking off the area met her sharp eyes as she surveyed the the block.   The victim had been missing for several days now, and there was concern that this girl may be another victim of the savage serial killer they had tracked for months now.  

Savannah was a tall woman,  with a shocking head of bright red hair contained in a tight pony tail. She wore a long black leather coat, brilliant white blouse and dark pants.  Her feet were encased in steel toed boots, hip enough to be fashionable, but tough enough to handle the life of a on duty cop.   She walked up to her partner, a somewhat portly man with balding brown hair and puppy dog eyes.  

 "Well Mike, what do you think?"  she asked, her vivid green eyes all cop, flat and hard.     Her partner of five years shook his head.  "I don't know Sav, it's like she just plain poof disappeared into thin air.   She hasn't been to work in almost four days and it's her boss who called this morning.  She was frantic, said this kid never missed a shift and is prompt as they come.  Central sent a beat cop out to do a welfare check and found the place empty."

Savannah frowned.  "Any signs of forced entry?" She asked as they passed under the police tape and climbed the steep stairs to the apartment above.   Mike shook his head as he used his police master key on the door lock, and swung open the door.   Savannah grew quiet as she walked into the vic's home.   Still considered a missing person's case, this one had almost identical similarities to the victims of the serial killer known as the Phantom by her squad. Pretty young girl, single with a waitress job, disappearing with no reason. The same story had been repeated several times over the past weeks.  She was called in as she was lead detective on the unsolved homicides.   Flipping the light switch on she made a quick tour of the small apartment.   

Nothing seemed out of place, but something was off.   Having been a detective for years now she knew when perfect was too perfect.   The bed with its cheery yellow quilt was made, dishes in the draining board by the sink in the tiny kitchen.   A balcony just off the living room held a small chair and table, and on it sat one formerly perfect red rose.    The rose looked to be a few days old, and had just started the wilting process.    

For all intents and purposes the victim, Brianna Walsh, had just completely vanished.   She found no evidence of a struggle as she peered under the bed.    Her sharp gaze settled on a prize. "Evidence bag!" she called to Matt, who complied immediately.    With gloves on she grasped the object and pulled it from its hiding place.    The cap of a syringe.    Holding up so he could see she grimly said, "I don't think the girl left willingly, do you?"  dropping the tiny clue into the plastic bag, sealing it in one sure move.  

Mike radioed their lieutenant.   This was now more than a missing persons case, it was a possible homicide, and the clock was ticking.   Savannah stepped out onto the balcony, eyeing the rose again.  The diner owner hadn't mentioned a boyfriend, or anything out of the ordinary.  She snapped a photo of the rose.    She looked out at the surf under the gray skies, eyes sweeping the area.  Plenty of foot traffic, she mused, and this would be a busy area normally.   How late had Brianna's abductor come in?  This type of place, there was bound to be somebody around.   

Couples out for some romance on the beach, shopkeepers closing up.  Someone had to have seen something she pondered, turning away to return to her partner.  

She was smart, he knew this, watching her on Brianna's balcony.   To anyone looking they would have seen a stooped older man, searching for treasure on the beach.   His cleverness knew no bounds, Gareth smiled.  Here he was, right under the police detective's nose, and she was clueless.   She would never know or find his prize, and he chuckled.   It was great fun to see how hard the police worked, piecing their clues together.   What they failed to realize was that they found what he wanted them to find, no more, no less. 

He walked away from the beach to a beat up old Chevrolet.   Master of disguise he could watch the investigation any time he chose.  Best hurry back to his Angel; he'd made her wait long enough.  After all, hadn't he promised her dinner this evening?  With a wolfish grin he pulled out of the public parking lot, and began the four hour drive back to his estate.