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Authors: Janice Cantore
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the conference and fell asleep, couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. We’ve assigned a black-and-white here for Joe. For the time being, they’ll take care of anything he needs. I want to be sure you’re close when we get approval for your reassignment.”
“Yeah, I will be. I’m just going to grab a late lunch.” Carly looked toward Christy’s room, not wanting to take Joe away from sleep he needed. Turning back to Nelson, she said, “Tell him I was here, and if you need me for anything at all, call.”
“Count on it. Thanks for being available.”
Carly nodded and got back on the elevator. As the doors closed, she leaned in one corner, heaviness on her heart, not 100 percent certain leaving was the right thing to do. But, she reminded herself, Trejo could be an important ally here: he was the press, and he excelled at disseminating a message. And Nelson would call if he needed her; of that she was sure. In the back of her mind, a little voice said, What about Nick?
Well, what about him? she thought. There wasn’t anything to tell him right now, and it was time for a hot meal.
“All set?” Trejo asked as she walked out the front door.
“As set as I can be right now. I guess you make sense for a reporter. I am hungry. But let’s not go to the Apex; let’s go down to Walt’s in the marina instead.”
“Great, I’ll even drive. Let’s go.” Alex guided her away from the hospital and to his car.
8
“YOU’RE SCARING ME, EDWARDS.”
“What? Why?”
“The frown, the worry lines. They’ll find the kid, and you’re not missing anything taking time out to eat. You’re too quiet. Don’t you have faith in your department and coworkers?”
“Of course I do.” She folded her arms and turned in her seat to glare at the reporter. “But every minute A.J. is gone is a minute away from parents who love him. I’m allowed to be worried.”
“I saw the presser. Joe’s appeal was spot-on and heart wrenching.”
“Yeah, it was that. Does the ace reporter have ideas about what else can be done?”
“Flattery will get you everywhere. But other than going door to door . . .” He shrugged and looked at her while they waited at a red light. “How soon before this becomes an Amber Alert?”
Carly blew out a breath. “I think we need a vehicle description. I’m not certain if just a description of the kidnapper would do it. But this is definitely a stranger kidnapping; that’s obvious.”
“Then the ace reporter suggests that as soon as you have the needed information, get that Amber Alert activated.” He snapped his fingers rapidly. “Until then, I’d guess that the most effective thing is getting A.J.’s picture out there and beating the bushes for tips.”
“I have to agree with you.”
“Glad we are on the same page,” Trejo said as the light turned green and he turned in to the jam-packed marina parking lot. “Wow, everybody and their mother is down here!”
“That’s because this is the only place that’s cool, and Walt’s is going away soon,” Carly observed, leaning her head half out the window to enjoy the cooler temperature. Finally, a refreshing ocean breeze to take the edge off the oppressive heat.
“Don’t remind me,” Trejo said as he circled the lot three times before he found a spot. He and Carly unfolded themselves from his small sports car and walked along the gangway to Walt’s. The restaurant was at the end of an ancient boat dock that would soon be removed so the entire marina could be updated to include shopping, dining, and carnival games. But Walt’s and the unique atmosphere of his on-the-water dining would be gone. He didn’t want to be part of the upgrade.
Carly and Trejo squeezed through the crowd and found seats at the bar. She ordered a chili dog and fries. He opted for fish-and-chips, and they both asked for frosty milk shakes.
“I haven’t eaten down here in ages,” Carly said, relishing the cool sea air hitting her face. The
“Yeah, I will be. I’m just going to grab a late lunch.” Carly looked toward Christy’s room, not wanting to take Joe away from sleep he needed. Turning back to Nelson, she said, “Tell him I was here, and if you need me for anything at all, call.”
“Count on it. Thanks for being available.”
Carly nodded and got back on the elevator. As the doors closed, she leaned in one corner, heaviness on her heart, not 100 percent certain leaving was the right thing to do. But, she reminded herself, Trejo could be an important ally here: he was the press, and he excelled at disseminating a message. And Nelson would call if he needed her; of that she was sure. In the back of her mind, a little voice said, What about Nick?
Well, what about him? she thought. There wasn’t anything to tell him right now, and it was time for a hot meal.
“All set?” Trejo asked as she walked out the front door.
“As set as I can be right now. I guess you make sense for a reporter. I am hungry. But let’s not go to the Apex; let’s go down to Walt’s in the marina instead.”
“Great, I’ll even drive. Let’s go.” Alex guided her away from the hospital and to his car.
8
“YOU’RE SCARING ME, EDWARDS.”
“What? Why?”
“The frown, the worry lines. They’ll find the kid, and you’re not missing anything taking time out to eat. You’re too quiet. Don’t you have faith in your department and coworkers?”
“Of course I do.” She folded her arms and turned in her seat to glare at the reporter. “But every minute A.J. is gone is a minute away from parents who love him. I’m allowed to be worried.”
“I saw the presser. Joe’s appeal was spot-on and heart wrenching.”
“Yeah, it was that. Does the ace reporter have ideas about what else can be done?”
“Flattery will get you everywhere. But other than going door to door . . .” He shrugged and looked at her while they waited at a red light. “How soon before this becomes an Amber Alert?”
Carly blew out a breath. “I think we need a vehicle description. I’m not certain if just a description of the kidnapper would do it. But this is definitely a stranger kidnapping; that’s obvious.”
“Then the ace reporter suggests that as soon as you have the needed information, get that Amber Alert activated.” He snapped his fingers rapidly. “Until then, I’d guess that the most effective thing is getting A.J.’s picture out there and beating the bushes for tips.”
“I have to agree with you.”
“Glad we are on the same page,” Trejo said as the light turned green and he turned in to the jam-packed marina parking lot. “Wow, everybody and their mother is down here!”
“That’s because this is the only place that’s cool, and Walt’s is going away soon,” Carly observed, leaning her head half out the window to enjoy the cooler temperature. Finally, a refreshing ocean breeze to take the edge off the oppressive heat.
“Don’t remind me,” Trejo said as he circled the lot three times before he found a spot. He and Carly unfolded themselves from his small sports car and walked along the gangway to Walt’s. The restaurant was at the end of an ancient boat dock that would soon be removed so the entire marina could be updated to include shopping, dining, and carnival games. But Walt’s and the unique atmosphere of his on-the-water dining would be gone. He didn’t want to be part of the upgrade.
Carly and Trejo squeezed through the crowd and found seats at the bar. She ordered a chili dog and fries. He opted for fish-and-chips, and they both asked for frosty milk shakes.
“I haven’t eaten down here in ages,” Carly said, relishing the cool sea air hitting her face. The
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