Chapter 4
Dustin rushed down the staircase, dialing 911 on his cell phone. He shouted at the dispatcher when they answered.
“This is Dustin Andrews with Station 58. There’s been an attack and kidnapping in the parking lot of 86 Dover St.” He panted, rounding the last floor, bursting into the parking lot. “Suspect is driving late model white van with Channel 7 logo on it. His name is Jeff Sobel.” He rambled off the description of him, as he stood in the parking lot, unable to do anything but look around. The van had sped off before he could get down here. Heart thumping against his chest, he ran a hand through his hair. How could he have let her go? He should have made her stay with him. He had gone to the window to watch her leave, but could only watch in horror as Jeff came out from behind the car next to Charlotte’s. He had screamed, pounded on the window. But four floors up, he couldn’t get her. Jeff hit her over the head and picked her up, looking up at Dustin. Even from so far away, Dustin could see the malicious intent in the man’s eyes.
Police cars raced into the parking lot, lights flashing. The first officer out, was someone Dustin knew from calls he had been on with the Station.
“Officer Suarez,” Dustin called out, reaching a hand to shake with the man.
“Andrews,” he greeted. “What happened here?” Dustin went through the story as Gentry pulled up. The fire inspector would be able to help fill them in on the situation. Officer Suarez called in the reports and put out an APB (all-points bulletin) to the Dallas PD. They would be looking out for the van. Unfortunately, having reports of a news van and loved reporter reported involved in a kidnapping, other news vans showed up within minutes. Dustin turned his face, shielding his eyes with a hand, from the flashing lights of cameras. He had finally gotten a woman he felt he could fall in love with, and lost her, all in one night. His heart ached. Reporters shouted questions at him.
“Dustin Andrews, can you tell us how you feel?”
“Is Charlotte Shepherd alright?”
“What does the kidnapper want with her?”
“Come on,” Officer Suarez said to him. Placing a hand on his arm, he turned Dustin towards the apartment building. Once inside his apartment, someone handed him a glass of water. Gentry sat next to him as Dane Chandler walked in. It felt nice to know his partner was there.
“It’s ok, man,” Dane patted his shoulder. Skye followed closely, rushing into the apartment. “I brought Skye. She’s friends with Charlotte. She wouldn’t let me leave the station without her.” Dustin just nodded. He didn’t know what to say or do. He felt helpless for the first time in his life. He was normally the man rushing into danger, saving lives. Now, all he could do was wait. They had no clue where she had been taken or what would happen.
“Look,” Gentry said. He spread out a map on Dustin’s coffee table. Everyone in the room crowded around to hear what the seasoned fire inspector had to say. “These are the fires that were set by this guy,” he pointed to the map. Three red circles formed a triangle. Gentry had drawn a circle, indicating the area he felt most likely to be the next target. He then put an x on the places he thought would be their most likely points to search. Officer Suarez called it in. Squads would go search the four abandoned buildings they felt were best matches. Dustin got up from the couch quickly, rushing to his bedroom. Just an hour ago, he had been making love to Charlotte in there. He could still smell her scent, mingled with sex. He pulled on his discarded jeans and shirt from earlier, and went back out to grab a pair of sneakers.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Dane asked.
“I think I know which he will go to. The abandoned factory on Trenton Ave. It’s surrounded by places that will be closed and empty right now. No homes around, or anyone to interrupt him.” Dustin kept his voice low, to avoid anyone figuring out what he was doing. They wanted him to sit here on his hands and keep quiet, wait for the police to find her. But if his suspicions were right, Jeff was angry and unpredictable. If he set a fire, Charlotte could die.
“You can’t do that,” Dane insisted.
“I’m going with you,” Skye said from behind them. Both men turned to look at her.
“No,” they said in unison.
“Not happening. We can’t let you put yourself in danger,” Dane insisted.
“But it’s ok if you put yourselves in it?” she asked, hands on her hips. He could see why she was friends with Charlotte. Both stubborn, strong women.
“We need you to cover us leaving. Please,” Dustin begged. “I have to find her. I can’t wait.” He pleaded with her, and her face softened.
“You better bring my friend back, safe.” Skye used her pointer finger to emphasis the words, poking him in the chest.
“I have a gun in my truck,” Dustin said. Dane nodded.
“Whatever you need, partner,” he slapped Dustin’s shoulder. The men quietly moved to the door.
“Where are you going?” Officer Suarez asked, moving their way.
“I just need some fresh air. I’m suffocating in here.” Suarez nodded, moving back to the other officer who was chatting with Gentry. The men moved out into the hallway.
“Here’s my keys,” he handed them to Dane who gave him a questioning look. “I can’t go out there, the news crews will be all over me. Bring the truck around back, I’ll meet you there.” Dane nodded, understanding the situation. With so many cameras and reporters out there, who knows what would happen. They couldn’t risk being followed.
Dane left, and Dustin made his way to the back of the building. He stood, pressed against the wall and a dumpster, trying to remain unseen. As he heard the rumble of his truck approach, he peeked out, waiting for Dane to spot him. As his friend pulled up, he ran out, ducking into the truck quickly and they sped off into the night.
“I called the fire house. We may need back up, and, if this is the arsonist, we’re going to need the crew, to help put out a fire,” Dane explained.
“Good thinking.” He looked over warily.
“Don’t worry, they won’t say anything. No sirens, no lights.” He felt relieved, to not only have his work family behind him on this, but to know that they were taking precautions to ensure they could get Charlotte back alive. His cell phone rang, and he pulled it from the pocket of his jeans. He hadn’t even realized he put it in there. The caller ID said that it was Charlotte. They had exchanged numbers that morning, before they parted ways at Gentry’s office. He looked at Dane, who had his eyebrows raised in curiosity.
“Hello?” he answered. “Charlotte?”
“Meet me at the old Denton factory, on Trenton, alone,” Jeff said, and then hung up.
“I was right, let’s go save my woman.” The men raced off into the night.