Beth gave him a cold stare and turned her back on him and walked away.
A beefy hand grabbed her by the shoulder.
‘Hey, I’m talking to –’
Her frustration exploded; she spun on her heel and slapped his hand away.
‘Don’t touch me.’
She glared at him and when he didn’t respond, walked away.
Big mistake!
The thought came into her mind and fled just as quickly when Baldy charged at her with an angry yell and there was no more time for thinking.
She turned her body sideways, presenting a smaller target to Baldy, and waited for him to come near.
He approached rapidly, his mouth opened wide, snarls escaping him, his eyes narrow pinpoints of rage.
Beefy hands reached out to grab her and crush her.
She waited till the last moment and just as a hand came close to her face, she took a half step back, grabbed it, and swiveled.
Baldy rocked forward and when he got closer, she shot a leg out and swept his feet away from underneath him. Baldy went flying.
He crashed into a garbage bin, tipped it over, and sprawled on the sidewalk.
He lay motionless for a few moments and then struggled to his feet, swung his head slowly till he spotted Beth.
‘Bitch,’ he shouted and lumbered into a run towards her.
She bent beneath the outstretched arms, braced herself for impact, and jabbed a sharp elbow in Baldy’s midriff.
Baldy collapsed on top of her and his breath left him in a loud grunt.
She twisted sinuously before he could recover, applied a hold over his neck and brought him face down, on the concrete.
She planted a knee on his back, twisted his left hand behind, and rendered him immobile.
She looked at Baldy’s companions.
Lean and Wiry was similarly sprawled face down, Meghan’s knee on his back.
Zeb was facing Average, standing relaxed, his hair ruffling in a light breeze.
Her frustration vanished in an instant and a grin lightened her face when she heard Zeb address the third man.
‘I haven’t hurt anyone today. You want to be the first?’
An embarrassed Baldy and his companions disappeared into the depths of the city forty-five minutes later, after profuse apologies.
They had been in a bar poring through their social media feeds and had spotted the kidnapping comments. Alcohol, heat, and the coincidental appearance of Beth had led to an ill-thought act.
The excuses tripped off their tongues when Beth and Meghan questioned them and threatened them with calling the cops.
Beth held a hand up, stalling them when she had heard enough and watched them leave.
She felt Meghan’s eyes on her and turned to meet them.
‘Sorry,’ she said and made everything good between them.
They were in Baybush the next day, ninety-six hours after Maddie’s disappearance, to verify Amy Kittrell’s story.
Beth had given Werner a task before they departed; to track Amy Kittrell’s internet and social media profile. To check into various dating sites and see if she had used them.
Over the years, Zeb had done several favors for a Middle Eastern royal family. In one, he had rescued the royal’s daughter who had been kidnapped. In another, he had found the killer of another royal family member.
The royal had presented a check with several zeros in it to Clare in gratitude for the first favor. Clare had turned the check over to Zeb and had insisted that he take it.
Zeb and his crew had bought the entire building on Columbus Avenue with the reward and had made shrewd investments with the remaining funds.
The royal had gifted Zeb with a Gulfstream for the second favor and refused to take No for an answer.
The Gulfstream was now at the disposal of the team and its pilots and maintenance were funded by the investments.
The twins took the aircraft to Baybush and on landing, rented a vehicle at the small airport that serviced the local region.
Meghan got into the driver’s seat of the Escalade, donned her shades and when Beth gave her thumbs up, set off to the Civic Center.
Baybush was similar to thousands of small towns across the country. Main Street housed businesses, stores, restaurants, and several civic offices.
Several streets branched off from the heart of the city and led to parks, schools, hospitals, and residences.
Meghan headed to a small street that paralleled Main Street and parked in front of a red bricked building.
It looked like a large residence but for the sign in front of it.
Baybush Police Department.
Chief Leroy Althof was waiting for them when they arrived at the entrance.
Althof cut a reassuring figure in his uniform and spit polished shoes. His blonde hair and mustache were trimmed and his tanned face looked strong.
The twins were tall at five feet ten inches; however, the chief had a few inches over them.
He gripped their hands in a warm handshake and a smile split his face.
Reliable was the impression one got on meeting Chief Althof.
Meghan knew, from their research that he was nearing retirement; however age didn’t seem to slow him as he walked them through his department offices. The department had twenty-five officers and a support staff that looked after the small town’s policing needs.
Althof introduced them to various key staff, outlined the various divisions and missed the silent glance the twins exchanged.
He’s killing time.
Their fears came true when he took them to his office, seated himself, clasped his hands and looked at them.
‘You have wasted your time.’