Cathy closed her fingers over the paraphernalia, lowered her arm, then limped toward the growling canine. She patted his side and looked at the women who stayed behind the door. “Settle down, Max.”
Russell flanked the defensive German shepherd and kept the beam trained across the hallway.
The woman stared at them from above the security chain attached to the door and jamb. She squinted at the intense beam, then turned her head to the side.
Cathy patted Max, rubbed his head, then limped out into the hall. “Hi. Sorry about him. He’s a bit on edge with everything going on.”
The young woman glanced down at Max, then back to Cathy. “It’s okay. German shepherd, right?”
“Yeah.” Cathy pointed to the apartment. “You wouldn’t happen to know my daughter, Amber Snider, would you? I’m her mother, Cathy.”
The young woman cut her eyes over to Russell, then back to Cathy. “I know her. We’ve hung out on a few occasions. I’m Brittany.”
“It’s nice to meet you. These are my friends, Russell and Clyde.” Cathy dipped her chin and pointed at her faithful canine and sidekick. “This is Max.”
“Amber has talked about him. I’ve seen you before when you’ve visited her,” Brittany replied, staring at the German shepherd. “He’s a cute dog.”
Max growled for a bit longer, eased up, then sat on his haunches in the doorway. He kept a vigilant eye on Brittany.
“I know this might sound a tad strange, but you haven’t seen Amber lately, have you?” Cathy asked. “I tried to call her, but like most everything else, the phones are dead because the power is out.”
Brittany diverted her gaze and chewed her bottom lip, but didn’t respond.
“Did something happen here?” Russell asked, keeping his light trained on her sad and yet scared face.
Cathy took a step closer to her apartment. “Please. If you know anything about where Amber might be, tell me. I’m desperate to find her.”
Naked fear loomed in Brittany’s shiny eyes. She pursed her lips, then looked away. Her hand wiped under her eyes as she sniffled. “I saw her a day or so back. She was in her apartment with some new guy she was seeing. I think it might have been her boyfriend or something.”
“Boyfriend?” Cathy shot back, shaking her head. “I wasn’t aware she was seeing anyone. The last time we spoke, maybe a week or more ago, I asked her if she had met anyone, and she said no. She’s always been open and honest with me about such things. Do you know how long she’s been seeing this guy?”
Brittany diverted her gaze again, staring at the ground. “Around a month or so. Maybe less. I’m not sure. She’s really sweet and nice and well this guy is–”
“Is what?” Cathy’s voice grew cold in a blink. Her tone tightened as she waited for Brittany to answer.
“Not the sort of guy I’d picture her with,” Brittany replied, reluctantly. “I shouldn’t say anymore. I’m sorry.” Brittany stepped away from the door and pushed it closed.
Cathy jammed her foot in the opening and pressed her shoulder to the door, keeping it from closing. “Please. Tell me what you know. I’m begging you.”
“Move your foot, now,” Brittany replied, her tone rising. “I’ve told you enough, now, please, leave me be.”
“You opened your door when you noticed us here,” Cathy said, keeping her foot and body pressed to the door. “Whatever else you know, please, tell me. I’m begging you. Amber could be in serious trouble.”
Russell stood behind Cathy in the hallway. Indecision racked him on whether he should intercede or not.
Max crept closer, watching the heated strife between the two women grow more volatile.
Clyde moved to the open doorway, then peered down either stretch of hallway. He thumbed the switch on his flashlight and looked for any neighbors watching out of their doors.
Brittany pushed against the door, refusing to yield to Cathy. The two women held fast a minute longer before she said, “They’ll hurt me if I say anything, or worse.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
RUSSELL
Cathy eased up on the door, but kept her foot wedged in the opening. “Who will hurt you? The guy she is seeing?”
Brittany stepped away from the door. The chain snapped taut. Her lips trembled and tears streamed from her shiny eyes. She sniffled, then pressed the back of her hand to her nose, trying to stay the fear and sadness that streamed down both cheeks. She offered a slight nod, then looked away.
“So, this guy she is seeing took her?” Cathy asked in a softer tone.
“Yes. Him and his buddies did,” Brittany answered, wiping away the tears from her flushed cheeks. “I heard them arguing about something. It grew loud and heated. His friends waited out in the hallway. He dragged her out of her apartment. She didn’t want to go. I cracked my door to see what was happening, but wasn’t able to get a real good look at her because it was dark, and it went down so fast. She begged him not to do something. I can’t remember what all they said.”
“Think, please,” Cathy said, pulling her foot away from the opening. “Anything you can remember could be helpful.”
Brittany lowered her head and sobbed. “I can’t remember. His buddies spotted me and said if I say a word they’d come back and do horrible things to me. I took them seriously considering who they run around with.”
“And who is that?” Russell asked, his voice thick with worry.
“The Sandman,” Brittany answered, hesitantly.
“The Sandman?” Cathy said, confused. “Who is that?”
“A well-known drug dealer in Philly,” Brittany replied, fighting to regain her composure. “The guy she is seeing is one of his peddlers. Him and his buddies would come over, and they’d do drugs in her apartment.”
Cathy lifted her arm, then opened her
