page20 (1/2)
“But if she is…” She sniffled “Why hasn’t she contacted me?”
“I don’t know, Kendall, I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll tell you this, I’iven me onto my man, Frank Carrell”
“Frank Carrell?”
“He’s a private eye One I regularly use, and the best in the business Frank can track down just about anyone or anything Low-life scu a specialty of his If anyone can find your friend alive, it’s hiuys”
“Ex-military?”
“Yeah Guys frouys who don’t knohen to quit”
“And don’t forget to contact the police, Mac I should have done it right from the start”
“I won’t, honey In fact, I’m on it already” He pulled the cell phone froo by, uys will find this prick and hopefully Ashley, too, before the cops have even gotten the paperwork filled in”
Before he could make the connection to Frank Carrell, Kendall’s cell phone suddenly ca her jump out of her skin as she sat nervously on his lap She looked at hilimmer of hope there, too
“It’s ringing, Mac What a to do?”
He patted her treest you take a deep breath, and then answer it, honey Whatever the news, good or bad, reht here for you”
“Yes” She looked down at her cell phone as though it were the devil hi her hand to her htened”
He stroked her hand again “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it Trust me”
“Yes Yes, of course”
Looking over her shoulder, Mac clearly saw the caller display and the words “Unknown Number,” and he wondered if that worthless piece of shit, Karl Graves was calling to blackain He needed more information
“Put it on speaker phone, so I can hear, and then answer the godda” He knew his tone was sharp, but she needed to take that call
He watched a shaky ured the guy given the task of pressing the button to start WWIII would shoer nerves than Kendall displayed right now
Her voice tre” He felt for the beautiful lady perched rigidly on his lap Although Kendall was clearly disturbed by events, his ade was boundless
“Kendall, it’s me Ashley I’m okay”
Fear of the unknohich was etched deep in her forehead suddenly, turned to palpable relief “Oh God, Ashley, have you any idea how good it is to hear your voice again? You’re safe” She waved a hand in front of her face in an attempt to calm herself “I can’t believe it”
“Believe it, Kendall I’m fine, truly I am There’s no need to worry anymore”
“That bastard didn’t hurt you again, did he?”
“No”
“You’re not just saying that, are you?”
“No, it’s the truth, Kendall I’m okay”
Mac saw the tears that briefly welled in her eyes, before trickling down her porcelain cheeks “Oh, God, I’ht have killed you That ex-boyfriend of yours alas a nutjob He’s capable of anything, Ash”
“I know, baby girl, and I can hear how upset you are, but I pro from you I love you”
“And I love you, too, Ash Please tell me what happened”
“Kendall, I can’t talk right now I’m with the police just a few miles from the Mexican border”
“Mexican border? US side?”
“Yes A town called Horizon City It’s located so me real well, so you’ve no need to be concerned”