“We were able to snag the feed before the police arrived.”

“Good. I want the videos as soon as this place clears out and make that happen quickly. Assist anyway you can, and whatever information we don’t have, get it.”

I stopped barking orders for a moment and remembered I was capable of sympathy. “How many did you lose?”

“Only one. I won’t be shedding tears over him.”

“Injured?”

“Marks and Cavers were both shot trying to retrieve the girl.”

“How bad?”

“A bullet in the leg and the other in the arm. They’ll be fine.”

“Have you notified their families?”

“I have.”

“Good and the other men?”

“I sent two to the hospital and the others are searching the city.”

“Let’s get this over with, then.”

Fisher pushed open the door and led me into the chaos that was my penthouse suite. “Are you Dasher Chambers?” a middle-aged officer with gray sideburns questioned.

“I am.”

“We have a few questions to ask about what happened here tonight. Witnesses say a girl is missing.”

“Willow Waters.”

“She was your guest?”

“What else would she be?”

“We need to know your exact relationship with the victim.”

I struggled to answer for many reasons. Our relationship was complicated, and the thought of her as a victim was hard to swallow. “She’s a friend,” I offered.

“Do you have any idea of who might have done this?”

“No.” My short answer led to the skeptical look on the officer’s face. “If I did, you can believe I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you.” That seemed to do it when the officer’s gaze traveled from me to his notebook.

“Whoever did this meant business. If you can think of anything that would help, call me.” He handed over a card, which I took and stuffed in my pocket without reading.

“Will do, Officer.”

Another half hour and my place was finally cleared. I headed for my office with Fisher on my heels. I needed to see what was on those tapes. I was near to combusting from the pent up need to kill someone.

With a few taps, I had the feed of the apartment minutes before Willow was taken. The video showed her walking around the penthouse. I watched her look over the many pictures of Ken and could even see the smile on her face as she ran her finger down the glass. The second feed showed the door as it burst open, erupting the calm into chaos. The traitor’s lifeless body fell inside the doorway. The silent alarm would have been triggered by the forced entry of the stairway leading to the private corridor where the guard had been stationed. None of the security measures established could have protected her from my unknown enemy.

But, what if it wasn’t my enemy?

Helplessly, I watched them swarm, gripping the wood under my fingers with rage as if it were happening in real time. Angel fought and even got the best of them if for only a moment. She was surrounded but held her own, and I couldn’t tamp down the pride that swelled in my chest as I watched her slam that wicked knee into the balls of one of the men. Unfortunately, he was able to bring her down with him with a harsh backhand that had me ready to put my own fist through the screen. Another man produced a cloth that he used to smother her. Seconds later, her body slumped into what I could only assume was a drugged sleep.

“Find her.”

CHAPTER TEN

NOVEMBER 24TH

WILLOW

I RUBBED SWEATY palms down jeans that I have become too familiar with wearing and glanced around nervously. I wasn’t in Six Forks yet, and already, I was ready to turn and flee to safety.

My uneasiness wasn’t a surprise. I made many trips just like this. Always on the third Saturday, every other month, but this trip felt different. It might have been the way my heart pounded and my skin heated to an unbearable temperature, but it was definitely everything to do with the feeling of being watched. It followed me from the airport all the way to the bus that I boarded not five minutes ago.

My backpack with only a change of clothes and toiletries was my only source of comfort. I dug inside and retrieved the pack of gum I purchased before the plane ride and popped one in my mouth before clutching my bag tighter.

The bus was nearly empty with only five passengers including myself. I glanced around and found no reason to be suspicious of any of them. There were two men seated at the very back. One appeared to be sleeping while the other read. A woman and her son sat three rows in front of them and an elderly woman sat across the aisle. I shook the feelings off and realized I was being silly.