When I walked into the office, a uniformed NYPD officer stood off to the side, and studied me as I walked in. He was older, likely in his fifties, with a protruding beer belly hanging over his pants. I skirted past him, uncomfortable with his presence, and approached the window behind which the school receptionist was typing furiously.
“Erm….” I hesitated, not wanting to interrupt her. Finally she stopped and looked up. “I was called out of class. Olivia Byrd.”
“Ah, yes. Olivia. This police officer is here for you dear.” The older woman explained as she pointed across to where the uniform still watched me closely. I took a deep breath, stealing myself for whatever was about to come, then turned to face him fully.
“I’m Olivia.” I said, my voice trembling. What could he possibly want? My first terrifying thought was that Kade or Kyle had been hurt and he was there to notify me.
“I’m Officer Keenan. I’ve been requested by a….Detective Maxwell to bring you into the precinct immediately.” He explained as he looked over a small notebook in his hand for the information.
“Kade? What for?” I asked, confused. Why wouldn't Kade just come for me himself, or have Cole or Matt bring me?
“I’m afraid I don't have the details, but I believe it relates to the missing girl…..” He looked down to his notebook again. “Er….Hailey.”
“Have they found her?” I asked eagerly, hoping like hell they had.
“As I said, I don’t know the details, but we should go. Detective Maxwell stressed he needed you there in a hurry.”
I stood unsure as to what to do. Maybe, if Kade was knee deep in work, or busy arresting The Shadow, he would send a cop to come and get me, but I still didn't get why he didn't tell Cole and Matt. Surely he’d want them to come with me?
“I….I need to call Kade…..er, Detective Maxwell first. I’ll just be a moment.” I turned my back before he could reply and dialed Kade on my cell. It rang only three times before diverting to the voicemail. I tried once more, but it did the same thing.
“He’s not answering.” I sighed as I turned back to the uniform.
“You can ask him what’s going on when we get to the office.”
“Do you know him? Kade?” I asked.
“I don’t, but I work out of the same precinct. You’re welcome to look over my ID and badge if you like.” He held out his shield and a small wallet containing a police ID. I looked them over, and they seemed legit, but how would I know really?
“I’m not sure about this.” I bit my lip as I tried to decide what to do for the best. If Hailey had been found and Kade needed me, it must be really important and I wanted to be there if I could help. I was wasting time that Kade may need to grab The Shadow and save Hailey.
“You’re taking me straight to Kade, right?” I asked nervously.
“Yes, straight to the serious crimes office.” He agreed. He seemed to know what he was talking about, knew which office Kade worked from, but I was wary and I knew it was too big a risk to just get in the car with him when The Shadow was on the loose. The guys would kill me if I just blindly followed.
“I need to grab someone first. I’m sure everything’s fine, but I need to be cautious. I was kidnapped before Christmas.” I tried to explain.
“Are you okay Dear?” The receptionist, who had been listening the whole time asked.
“I need to pull Matt Garcia from business to come with me if that’s ok?” I asked her.
“Of course. You go ahead and get him and I’ll make sure his teachers are aware for the rest of the day.” She said kindly.
“Thank you.” I turned to the cop nervously. “I’ll be quick.” He just nodded once, and I took that as his agreement and fled from the office.
Luckily Matt’s class wasn't far from the office, which was the only reason I had chosen to go for him and not Cole. I ran all of the way and then stopped for a moment to compose myself outside, before opening the door.
The entire class looked up at me as I peeked inside, making me feel ill with nerves, but I pushed on, knowing Kade may need me for some pressing reason.
“I…..I’m sorry.” I squeaked to the mousy little teacher who stood at the front looking disgruntled. “I….I need Matt…..a-at the office.”
I looked around and found him at the back, already on his feet throwing everything into his backpack and grabbing his coat. He hurried toward me and ushered me from the class without a word to his teacher. The door was barely closed behind him before I found myself wrapped in his arms. I clung to him tightly, not realising until that moment how nervous and tense I was.
“What’s wrong Mi Amado? You’re shaking.”
“I….I’m sorry Matt, but there’s this cop. He says Kade sent him for me, but I was scared to go with him alone.”
“Kade sent a cop for you? Why?”
“I don't know. He said it’s something to do with the missing kid, with Hailey. I know I’m wasting time, but I couldn't go alone.”
“Hey, hey. It’s ok. You did the right thing. None of us would want you leaving with a stranger, including Kade. Something’s not right here.”
“I tried to call him, but there was no answer.”
“Try him again. I’m calling Kyle.” Matt directed as we stopped a little further down the hall, halfway between his class and the office.
Kade’s phone went straight to voicemail this time, and I waited anxiously for Matt to get through to Kyle. The more I thought about it, the more I agreed Kade wouldn’t send a stranger for me, knowing how it would scare me.
“Fuck! He’s not answering either.” Matt cursed
