My adrenaline rush from earlier was now gone. It took me over twenty minutes to wipe everything up in the dining hall. The last family with kids had spilled beans on the table and all over the chairs. I wasn’t even sure how that was possible. The kitchen was my next target. I decided to take a break and delivered food to Bob instead. I walked over to the window and saw two men carrying Bob to the door of a van. He wasn’t dead, I hoped. They looked as if they were helping him walk. What in the hell was going on? I ran to the door just in time to see a brunette girl in her late teens close the van door.
“Hey, bring back Bob!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. OK, so my comeback lines under stressful situations were not that great. I searched my pockets for my phone, but I had left it on the kitchen counter.
I ran back inside. Abuelita had probably heard the door open, since she was standing by the window when I came in. I got my phone and ran back to the dining area. My fingers were already dialing by the time I reached Abuelita.
“Hi, yes, I need an officer. My friend Bob has just been kidnapped.” I was nervous and talking way too fast for down South.
“Ma’am, please slow down, and repeat that again.” The female dispatcher sounded patient but confused.
I took a breath before starting. “Sorry. My friend was just abducted by three people in a van.”
“OK, ma’am, what is your friend’s full name?” I could tell she was taking notes.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know it.” I had never thought to get Bob’s full name.
“You don’t know it? Was he resisting?” The dispatcher was starting to sound confused.
“I’m sorry. I never asked him. He didn’t look like he was resisting. They were almost carrying him; maybe they drugged him.” I was frantic and wanted to scream.
“Are you sure it wasn’t his family?” She was still taking notes.
“I don’t think so. Bob is homeless, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have any family in this area. He doesn’t even have many friends, especially ones that drive a van.”
“But you can’t confirm that he was going against his will or that it was family taking him. Is that correct?”
I really wanted to choke this lady. “Yes, ma’am. That is correct. But can you help me?”
“OK, how long has he been missing and from where?”
“Less than five minutes ago, from Abuelita’s on 82.” I prayed she was taking me seriously.
“OK, ma’am, he is not technically considered a missing person just yet. Since you have no idea whether those people were not his family, it’s hard to tell if something actually bad is taking place. I’m going to send an officer down to take your statement. What’s your name?” She thought I was crazy.
“Isis Black.”
There was silence on the other end of my phone.
“Are you serious?” The dispatcher thought I was prank calling her. Damn terrorists! Now nobody takes me seriously because they stole my name.
“Yes, ma’am. Please hurry.” I hung up the phone. I knew she wasn’t listening anymore. I slammed my fist down in frustration.
“Don’t get mad, dear. Nobody is paying attention to people like us and Bob. Society has forgotten about us. Bob is smart. He’s going to be OK.”
I looked at Abuelita. Fear was written all over her face. I couldn’t just sit around waiting for police who might never come. I needed to do something.
“I’m going after them.” My keys were in the kitchen area. In less than a minute, I had all my stuff in my pockets. I never carried a purse. If everything I owned couldn’t fit in my pants, I probably didn’t need it. My wallet was a man’s billfold, compact and practical. “Abuelita, are you going to be OK finishing up by yourself?”
“Isis, this is crazy. You don’t know where to find them.” Abuelita kept glancing out the windows, almost willing Bob to come back.
“I know, but I need to try. Please call Angelito to meet you. Don’t leave alone, please.” The last thing I needed was to lose her, too.
“If you are going to do this, go. I’ll call Angelito, and I’ll be OK. Please be careful.” Before I could walk around her, Abuelita pulled me close to her and said a silent prayer with her hands on my forehead. I hoped it was a prayer.
When she was done, I hugged her. I wasn’t sure what else to do, and I ran out the door.
Chapter 7
Texarkana was not a big city, but when you were wandering around with no clear direction, it was a huge place. The adrenaline rush had passed, and I was worried to death. I drove for over an hour, going to Liberty-Eylau, Wake Village, Nash, and Beverly Heights with no luck. My last resort was to head toward downtown. My plan was to check out the shelters. Maybe the dispatcher was right and they were family or friends. I highly doubted it, but I was out of options.
I was too tired to notice how fast I was going. Granted, most minivans were not known for their speed, but they can hit fifty pretty easily. The speed limit for most of Texarkana was forty, and I had no reason to speed. It wasn’t till the red and blue lights were behind me that I noticed my speed. I pulled over across Wadley’s Hospital on Texas Boulevard. On Sundays this part of Texarkana was empty. Downtown was home to several court systems, the police department, the city hall, the local jail, and plenty of bail bondsmen. On weekends the only people working downtown were the cops. I took a deep breath and waited for the officer.
By the time he came over, I had
