Page 3 of Fearless Encounter

“Yes, I can’t even be sure,” Brooke said. “During parades, drinking and drugs are prevalent. A lot of strange things happen. But that doesn’t mean that I saw anabduction.” She paused. “I went back.”

“You went back to the scene?”

“I wanted to see if the woman was okay, but there was no one there,” Brooke said. “There was no sign of a crime. It is carnival season, after all. The authorities could think I imagined it.”

“That’s true,” Gabriel said. “I doubt they’d put much manpower into finding the woman. We don’t know who she was or what happened in that alley.”

“That’s what I mean. How am I going to help her?”

The waitress came by to refill the coffee. “Would you like anything else?”

Brooke shook her head. Dinner was the furthest thing from her mind.

“You’re the priority right now,” Gabriel said. “Is there someone you need to call, a boyfriend, or…?”

The question threw her off. With no wedding band, he would assume that she was single. “No, I’m not with anyone. There’s no one I want to call. I’d rather figure this out before I worry my friends.”

“I understand. If you like, I’ll make some calls,” Gabriel said. “I can contact my buddy, Abe. He’s an NOPD officer. He won’t be on duty until Monday, but he will let me know if he hears anything. And I can check with the night shift at the station to see if an incident was reported.”

“With so many people around, you’d think the woman couldn’t be dragged off without someone besides me noticing.”

“Let me see what I can find out,” Gabriel said. “My car isn’t far. Let’s take a detour around the parade crowd to that alley. You can show me where it happened. If a missing person report is filed, we’ll take the next step.”

Brooke agreed, relieved to have his support. On the way, she’d text her friends to let them know that something had come up and she wouldn’t make it to dinner.

*****

Gabriel drove through the narrow streets, winding his way toward the scene. Before leaving, he had checked with the local PD, but there hadn’t been any missing person reports filed within the last few hours.

At the back end of the alley, he pulled along the curb. “I’ll text this location to Abe.”

“Should I make an official report?”

“Sure, we’ll set that up. For now, it’s better if you don’t hang around this area,” Gabriel said.

“You’re right, I should go home,” Brooke said, not looking forward to being alone. That was the part of being single she disliked most. And after tonight’s event, her empty condo was even less enticing.

“Tell you what,” Gabriel said. “I have a better idea.” He paused. “You can come to my place.”

Brooke warmed at the idea, yet being with Gabriel might be awkward.

“Only for your safety,” Gabriel said. “I’d feel better if you weren’t alone until we know what we’re dealing with, and I have a big house. My daughters have both moved out, so you can have their suite.”

“Suite?”

Gabriel chuckled, a very endearing sound. “The suite was part of our remodel. The girls had their own space, and we got some peace.”

“You and your wife?”

Sadness filled his eyes. “Yes, my wife, Margot.” He hesitated. “She died a few years ago. I’m a widower.”

Brooke noticed he used the termdiedinstead ofpassed away. She wanted to ask what happened, but she’d wait for a better time. “I appreciate your offer, despite the fact that you hardly know me.”

Gabriel smiled, melting her heart. “It’s not like you’re a total stranger. I’ve tasted your salted caramel cake, after all.”

After she agreed to stay overnight at his home, Gabriel drove to her condo so she could pack an overnight bag. While Brooke did that, he waited in the living room, but only after he’d checked to make sure the place was secure. Brooke grabbed the essentials then they left.

*****

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