Page 82 of Absolution

“Yes! Three o’clock?”

“That’ll be perfect.” It’s one p.m. now, and I’ll have some time to shower, put on some makeup and get myself together.

Evan is pacing the street outside the coffee shop. I honk and wave as I look for a spot to park my car. He spins around and stares, then his face lights up and he waves back, eagerly, almost childishly.

As I park along the street, backing in between two cars, he comes darting, crossing the street without even looking, and pulls open my door right as I kill the engine. Pocketing his phone he lifts his hand in an awkward salute.

“Cecilia with?”

“Yeah.”

“Want me to help unbuckle her?”

I laugh. It’s liberating after half a day of misery. “Sure.”

I leave the stroller in the trunk. The cafe is right across the street. Evan carries Cecilia who sticks her hands in his thick blond beard and pulls at the hair.

The sound of an engine revving and tires coming to a screeching halt on the asphalt right next to us makes my heart jump to my throat. I grab Evan’s elbow to pull him out of the way. The back doors of the black van slam open and three black clad men with the lower halves of their faces covered jump out. One grabs hold of me, Evan hands Cecilia to one of the others. I’m thrown to the ground and everyone jumps into the van. Evan gives me one last glance.

“I’m sorry. I had to.”

I scream as the doors slam shut and the van shoots up along the street, disappearing around the corner in the next intersection.

“Cece!”

My mind is empty, but my heart hollers in agony and I don’t know if the sounds in my head also come out of my mouth. I’m on all fours on the asphalt, feeling as if my chest has just been torn open.

“Miss!”

A man comes rushing. Behind him stands a young couple, their faces white, their eyes wide. He reaches for me, trying to pull me to my feet.

“I’ve called the cops! I tried to look for the plate, but I couldn’t see any, it all happened so fast. I think I can describe the man you were with. Come, please.”

“My daughter,” I gasp as the tears come. “They took my daughter!”

There’s a void in me that keeps growing. It’s beyond anything I’ve ever felt before. My soul has been ripped out, a part of me is gone, torn out of my body. Where is she? Who were they? Where are they going? Why? Is she afraid? Evan?

Evan!

I fumble with my phone, still sitting on the street, the man next to me talks, but I have no idea what he’s saying. I flip through last calls and hit the number Evan called from.

It’s been disconnected.

No!

Cars honk.

“Miss!”

Someone’s pulling my arm.

I get to my feet, numb, staring at my phone.

Cecilia!

Then I know.

I don’t have Christian’s number, but I actually have a number for Salvatore, from way back when I looked up his address, all those years ago. Something has made me keep it. I hope it’s still active.

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