Page 3 of Stolen

The town of Greyson,just three hours outside of San Antonio Texas was small but it was vibrant and bustling. During the day, the sun seemed to always be shining while at night the humidity forced people to take refuge in central air. Greyson, like any other town was split into three brackets; lower class, middle class, and upper class. There was no in between or outliers. Everyone in the town rightfully belonged to a class and that fact was hardly ever a secret. In a town as small as this one, yet just as prominent, everyone was in everyone’s business. As the youngest detective and the youngest to be promoted through lieutenant and through department deputy, to finally being the deputy police chief, his face was well known around town. Following the dark SUV on his motorcycle, riding through town, SynTanner received waves, and shouts of hello as he motored by them despite the sun no longer being out. His bike was very noticeable as he tailed the SUV and immediately, SynTanner was regretting it. He didn’t want the driver of the SUV to take notice of SynTanner following him, but at the same time SynTanner couldn’t just let the woman be taken and not do anything. Going the opposite way and running to the precinct instead of following the SUV seemed counterproductive.

He tailed the SUV, keeping enough distance between them, but the further the SUV drove away from the heart of the city and to rural areas, the more SynTanner’s bike stood out. The streets became small comfortable roads all leading up towards the hills where mansions and tall black iron gates were the only scenery to pass you by. SynTanner didn’t care. He kept his bike at a firm distance and continued to follow the dark SUV. After fifteen minutes of tailing the vehicle, the taillights on the SUV lit up the darkened street as it pulled over to the side of the road. The action didn’t give SynTanner much time to anticipate what to do next. If he kept riding past them, there was no room for him to turn a corner to hide his bike or make a U-turn without looking as if he was tailing them in the first place. And if he just kept riding straight, he would lose the SUV altogether. Since the car didn’t move to turn into one of the long driveways accompanied by looming black gates, he was well aware that this wasn’t their final destination. He didn’t know why the SUV had stopped. Without another option, SynTanner quickly pulled over on his bike and cut the engine. SynTanner recognized where he was, but he couldn’t say he knew of anyone that lived in the high priced mansions surrounding him. He figured that the SUV had reached its destination, but after pulling over, only one person exited the vehicle from the backseat. By his silhouette, SynTanner knew the male walked in the street. SynTanner heard the familiar sound of the safety of a gun clicking off, before the man pointed it directly at SynTanner.

“I know you’re there,” he stated evenly. SynTanner was bathed in darkness, but his presence wouldn’t be hard to detect if someone was looking for him. They knew he was tailing them. With the gun pointed at SynTanner, the man continued his strut towards SynTanner with the confidence of any killer. SynTanner felt a sinister grin slide its way across his face. Thrusting himself so deeply in his work forced him to a point in his life where a gun pointing at him was actually entertainment. It was even more enjoyable because the man didn’t realize he was pointing a gun at the police deputy.

“Off the bike. Right now,” he demanded. SynTanner kicked his kickstand down, but he sat back casually, still straddling the bike.

“I said OFF! Unless you wanna taste lead?” SynTanner could afford to be so causal because his gun had already been out, locked and loaded to shoot. He could see the man’s trigger finger and the moment it moved slightly, SynTanner was going to fire his own weapon.

“You must have a death wish,” the man finally stepped in the shadows, his eyes finally engaging with SynTanner. His expression blanched, his eyes moving from the gun SynTanner was already pointing and finally up to SynTanner’s eyes. A lone sliver of sweat rolled down the man’s temple.

“De—Officer SynTanner,” he gasped.

“No, you had it right the first time. It’s deputy,” SynTanner said smoothly. He eased his foot off the pedal of his bike.

“Are you going to continue to point your weapon at an officer of the law?” SynTanner asked. The man’s hand finally faltered. He scrambled to tuck his gun away.

“I—I have a license to carry. And—and you were tailing us, I thought you were someone else,” he sputtered.

“Who would be wanting to tail you?” SynTanner asked.

“Well—my client—I work on his security team. We get a lot of crazy shit. I just thought you were another one of them,” he mumbled.

“What’s your name?” SynTanner watched as the man’s eyes closed for a second before opening again. He was nervous, blinking repeatedly as he tried to scramble for answers.

“I—Well technically I don’t have to tell you my name,” he finally replied.

“Only guilty people say that shit. Are you guilty of something?” SynTanner questioned.

“No!”

“So, what’s your name?”

“Everett Holmes.” SynTanner only nodded.

“Um—Deputy. Why were you following us?” he asked shakily.

“Didn’t know I needed a reason,” SynTanner shrugged. Everett looked at SynTanner’s bike.

“Nice ride Deputy. Looks like you are off duty though. You wouldn’t be caught dead trying to make an arrest on a motorcycle,” he said.

“Perceptive, aren’t you? Then I guess you would have to be to work security for your client, huh?” SynTanner kept his casual tone of voice and the stirring of Everett’s body told SynTanner that the tactic was working. Everett only continued to get more nervous, not understanding what SynTanner was planning to do.

“Then again Everett, just because I’m off duty; doesn’t mean I can’t make one phone call to bring the calvary and the cuffs,” SynTanner added. His medical leave was kept within strict confinements of the police force since the assignment that forced him on medical leave was of a top secret nature. Not one citizen would know that he would be off duty for some time.

“That sounds like you think we’re guilty of something to warrant arrests,” Everett crossed his arms.

“Alright. Here’s the thing. I can have you arrested because you point blank pointed a gun at me. But like you said. You have a license to carry and you thought I was someone threatening. Very understanding. But I’m gonna give you two options right now Everett. You decide what you wanna do. Are you ready to hear them?” SynTanner swung his leg and dismounted his bike. He approached Everett, glaring down at him. In the shadows the two men were so close to each other, SynTanner could hear and see when Everett gulped. SynTanner stared Everett straight in the eye.

His pupils quivered with apprehension and shyness. SynTanner realized at that moment exactly who he was dealing with. Everett was security that was for sure, but he only aimed to protect. His eyes didn’t gleam with the darkness of death or danger. He probably never hurt a soul in his life. The use of his gun always swore off problems, and the muscles caged in the dark suit he was wearing doubled as scare tactics but SynTanner knew that if Everett had to throw a punch, he would. But kill? He wouldn’t go that far.

“Everett. I don’t know what the fuck you got going on but there’s a female in that black SUV that I want. As you can see, I’m not quite that equipped at the moment to make any arrests. Hell, you can run off while I make that phone call for my officers to come get you. But that will only result in problems. You know that. So. Here are your options. Turn that woman loose and you can go. Or, you can continue on your merry way and keep the woman. But trust and believe when I say I will hunt you the fuck down, you won’t be able to take a piss without the fear of me shooting you in the skull. Your choice.” SynTanner slid him a tiny smirk, even if his eyes were glowering with wrath, ensuring that Everett understood the fury he would take on if he didn’t leave the woman behind.

“I-it’s not my choice,Deputy. That’s- That’s Mr. Lore’s woman. I can’t weigh in on that situation.” Everett gasped. The statement gave SynTanner pause for a moment. What if no one but the supposed Mr. Lore and the woman knew the truth behind their relationship. Either way, SynTanner wasn’t going to let up. No woman would write a note like that out of boredom and clearly it wasn’t a scheme to lure out a target to be murdered or robbed.

“Then I guess it’s up to you to see to it that the right choice is made. The only person I’m going to be coming after; is you. Make your boss make the right choice,” SynTanner said. He glared at Everett for a moment before backing up. He leaned against his bike, resuming his casualness. It was the indication that no more negotiations or conversation would take place. SynTanner had made it clear what he wanted and he gave Everett two choices to choose from.

Cursing under his breath, Everett turned and walked off briskly. SynTanner could hear him continue to mutter even though he couldn’t make out what Everett was saying. Everett stomped back to the SUV, flinging the door open and jumping inside.

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