Tony
Jasper and I arrive at the building where I was standing just yesterday. I could kill myself for not listening to my gut. Kate was here, but she’s not now. I know this without even entering the building because I can’t feel her anymore. There isn’t that warm sense that comes over my body when she’s around. There’s no goose bumps on my skin. There’s nothing. I could be standing in front of any random building.
I follow Jasper inside anyway. Perhaps there’s a clue of some sort. I’ll take anything just to know my baby is still alive. Jasper talks to the doorman, flashes some identification, and we are granted entry. I have no idea how Matteo would get in and out of here with Kate, but he’s managed to find a way.
Kendall happened to have a key to Kate’s old apartment that she never gave back after Kate moved. Jasper opens the door and slowly goes inside. When he’s sure everything is clear, Jasper waves me in.
The apartment is barren. There’s a couch, an end table with a lamp, and that’s about it. I would expect more from my cousin, but I guess he was just using this place as a temporary holding cell.
I venture down the sage-green hallway toward what I assume is the bedroom. The door is already cracked open and I slowly enter through it. There is a mattress that is worn and ratty. I can’t imagine anyone staying on it. Next to the bed is a chair I recognize from the picture that was sent to me. This is where Kate was forced onto her knees to do who knows what to Demetrio. Vomit burns in the back of my throat. I force it back down. I can’t look anymore, so I quickly back out.
Jasper walks down the hall toward me. “There’s nothing in the other bedroom. It’s completely empty.”
I motion to where I just came from, unable to speak. Jasper nods in understanding. I sit on the couch and place my head in my hands. I’m defeated, hopeless, and I don’t know what to do. I want nothing more than to find Kate and hold her in my arms. I want to bathe her in love and wash away all the tears and pain she’s endured.
“Where is she?” A voice calls from over my shoulder. It’s Kate’s dad. I called him on my way here and got him caught up to speed on what we’d found and our plan. I’m so ashamed; I can’t even look at him. I had the opportunity to save Kate yesterday, and I failed. How is he ever going to forgive me?
“They’re gone. I don’t know what he’s done with her, but they aren’t here.” I rub my temples in hopes some explanation will pop into my head. Nothing appears.
Charles doesn’t say anything, but instead comes and sits down next to me. “Son, you’ve got to stop beating yourself up. We’ll find her. There’s no way that man is going to get out of this city. We’ve got every agency on this case. We will find her.”
How can this man be so calm? How can he have any respect for me whatsoever? I did this to her. This is my fault. I raise my head to speak, but he cuts me off.
“Quit it. I’m sure I can figure out everything that’s going on in your head. The bottom line is you love my daughter like I would want a man to. You would give your own life for hers. I’ve never seen her happier than when she is with you. We will find her. When we do, she’s going to need your strength to get through everything. I’m sure that asshole has done a number on her. It’s going to take all of us to make her whole again.”
The words and emotions I want to let out are stuck in my throat and unable to escape. A nod is all I can muster. The strong Charles Anderson that everyone sees is really a kind and gentle soul who loves his family. Even though I haven’t married his daughter yet, he already thinks of me as a son and has taken me under his wing. I couldn’t have been luckier to become a part of this wonderful group of people who have welcomed me. They won’t replace my own family, but they’re definitely a close second.
Jasper returns to the living room. He looks down at the floor, and I know he’s found something that I won’t like. In his hand, he’s holding what appears to be a picture. “What is it?”
Jasper pauses before speaking. “I want you to study it before you react. It’s not her fault.”
I stand up, walk over to him, and snag the photo from his hand. I take a deep breath to prepare myself for looking at it. There she is lying in a bed, naked. Her arms and legs are tied down and the ex-agent Manchetti is on top and clearly raping her. I can’t breathe. My chest grows tight. I grasp on to the back of the couch in an attempt to brace myself as I bend over from the wind being knocked out of my sails. I drop the picture to the floor unable to hold it anymore. Why is he doing this to her?
“What is it?” Charles asks as he bends over to pick up the picture.
“Stop! You don’t want to see that!” The air rushes back into my lungs as I try desperately to save Charles from seeing the photo. No man wants to see their child like that. Nor should he ever have to.
He hesitates for a minute before picking up the picture.
“Please, Charles. You don’t want to look at it. Jasper will take care of it.” I reach for the photo, but he pulls his arm back.
“Nonsense. I have a right to know what it is. Maybe I can find a clue that you wouldn’t be able to see.” He stares at it and almost as if in slow motion, he pulls a hand to his mouth and a tear escapes his eye. “What kind of sick motherfucker would do this?”
He’s silent for a few minutes before finally speaking again. “That bastard is going to fry. He’s never getting out of jail. I’ll make sure of it.”
I stand there, not knowing what to say. I’ve never heard Charles swear. Jasper has his hands in his pockets. The silence between the three of us weighs heavy on the room. Finally, Jasper speaks. “Sir, I’d like to give it to the authorities.”
Charles purses his lips as he quietly contemplates what to do. “I appreciate that, but I think this is something I need to take care of. I need to do this as her father. I need to make sure he goes down for this. I notified my contact from the FBI. They should be here any minute. You boys go work on whatever leads you have.”
I don’t have the heart to tell him we’ve hit a dead end. I don’t have anything left to follow up on. I wish I had a clue as to where to find Kate and save her from any further torture. The only thing I can do is go home and wait for something else to pop up that will indicate where Kate is. If we don’t get another clue soon, we may never find her. The more time that passes, the less she will be in people’s minds, and Matteo will be able to escape to wherever easily. I know he’ll never let her go. He’s getting exactly what he wants. I’m slowly dying inside with each picture of her with another man that I find. Every minute she’s gone, my heart agonizes and is ripped apart a little more.