Page 46 of Tony

Tony nodded. “I knew it would be a long shot, but write up what you have and I’ll report to the grandparents.”

Jobe looked up sharply. “Sir, I’m not giving up yet.”

With the next few weeks planned out, the meeting ended. As the men filed out, they each shared a look with Tony, words unspoken. Looks of understanding. Looks of support. Tony sat for a few more minutes in his office, his surroundings the same but his feelings completely different. Instead of working until late to keep from going home to a bland, lonely apartment he could not wait to get to Sherrie.

Pulling out his cell, he called her number.

“Hi, sweetie,” she greeted. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to hear your voice,” he admitted honestly.

A giggle was heard from the other end of the line, shooting straight to his heart. “I think I like that,” she said. “A big, strong man calling just to hear me.”

“Well, it’s the truth. How’s your day going? You going to be home on time?”

“It’s been really weird, to be honest. Can we talk about it tonight? I’ve got a little more to do here in the office and then I want to take a quick drive to check out something, but I’ll be home about the same time you are.”

“You want me to pick up some take-out on the way to your house?”

“No, I threw some chili in the crockpot before leaving this morning. It’s been slow cooking for hours and will be the perfect way to end a cold, winter day.”

“I’ve got a better way to end a cold, winter day,” he said.

His warm promise slid over her, immediately causing her nipples to pucker as well as her inner core to clench. “Oooh, promise?”

“You got it, baby,” he vowed. Hanging up, he found that just talking on the phone with her and the promise of a perfect evening had his cock twitching.Down boy, we’ve still got some work to do.

* * *

Sherrie had been sitting at her desk, going over the report that she had typed on Betina’s situation. She could face the possibility that the young teen had run away because of rebellion, but it did not fit the girl she had come to know.

When she had discussed it with Simon earlier, he warned her that as a CASA she would need to be non-biased in her dealings. Question everything, he had said.Something is just not right, but I’ll be dammed if I know what it is.

She tried a quick internet search on Hernando Valesquez, but all that came up was information about his store and the few other businesses that he managed.Other businesses?Deciding to drive by to just check them out, she said her goodbyes to the others in the law office and headed to her car.

Driving back to Betina’s neighborhood, she went past the grocery store. It was only five p.m. but already getting dark. She could see activity inside the store and knew it would be open for several more hours. Using her GPS, she drove a few blocks away to the next address, that of a laundry facility that Mr. Valesquez managed. It appeared to be closing, but she could see lights on in the back and someone was just locking the doors. Parking in a well-lit area, she jogged over to the door and knocked loudly.

A tall, lanky teenager stood on the other side of the glass door, calling out, “We’re closed. Come back tomorrow.”

She hated yelling through the door, but wanted to make sure she had the right place. “Is this laundry owned by Mr. Hernando Valesquez?” The eyes of the teen grew large and he backed away from the door. “Do I have the right place?” she shouted once again.

“No speak good English. Come back tomorrow,” he called before turning and running to a door behind the counter. With a quick slam of the door, the light that had come through was shut out and she knew that continuing to stand there would be pointless.

Giving a quick glance around she noted the deserted street, but was glad for the bright lights of the parking lot. Moving quickly to her car, she got in and drove down the street. A couple of blocks away, she came across the next business belonging to Hernando, but it also appeared to be closed, as were all the businesses on this street.

Coming to a dead end, she was about to turn around when a young man ran down the street, waving his arms.

“Can you help me?” he shouted.

Jumping from her car, she heard running steps from behind and before she could turn around, she was slammed forward into the car.

A large, strong body pressed up against hers, trapping her against the cold metal with her face pressed into the glass. She tried to scream but a large hand clapped over her mouth.

“Whatever you’re doing here, bitch, you need to stay the fuck away,” the gravelly voice commanded.

This was no teen; this was a man’s voice.The teen was just a diversion.She tried to gasp for air but his thick fingers pressed against her mouth and nose. Her legs grew weak as fear and lack of oxygen made her faint. Realizing what was happening, he moved his hand from her nose while keeping her mouth covered. Inhaling deeply through her nose, her mind began to clear enough for her to feel the cold, metal blade of a knife pressing into the side of her neck.

“Keep your goddamn mouth shut or I’ll slice your throat,” he growled. He moved his hand from her mouth and grabbed her left arm twisting it cruelly behind her.

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