Page 78 of Clawed
The Ordinary
Three months later
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“I’M AFRAID TO SAY THERE’Sno sign of him.”Detective Constable Willington threw Hannah a well-practiced and sympathetic expression.“Of course, we’re continuing our inquiries and will do everything we can to locate and arrest Mr.Lawes, but we wanted to give you an update.”
“Thanks.”Hannah offered a similarly well-rehearsed response.She’d known what Willington was going to say before he’d even opened his mouth.The authorities hadn’t found Lawes.She’d have known if they had, and anyway, the guy was always one step ahead of everyone else.He’d been caught once before, but he wouldn’t make the same mistakes again.“I understand.”
“Wait, what?”Piercing Willington with a hard stare, Milly barked from beside her on the sofa.“What do you mean, there’sno sign of him?That bastard snatched Hannah from the street!Her phone was even found at the spot where he had taken her from.You must have C.C.T.V.or something else to go on?”
“We know it was Mark Lawes.”Willington ceded.“Miss Bowman has given a full I.D., and we have footage from the restaurant they both attended on the night of the kidnapping.What I mean to say is, we can’t say where he went after fleeing the property on Ocean Gardens.”
Hannah stared out of the window at his explanation.She’d been staying at Shannon’s apartment for months since Lawes had exploded into her life, but despite all her friends’ tireless efforts, she still didn’t feel like herself.How could she?
Watching the gray clouds roll past in the sky, all she could think about was how Lawes had got away and where he was hiding.Had he stayed local to keep an eye on her, or was he somewhere thousands of miles away?Her tummy contracted at the latter idea, hoping beyond hope that he’d stand by his word and come back for her.It was crazy to want him, but she sensed the pain of his loss with her every breath.Weeks of nausea and insomnia had taught her she needed him back.
Not that he could be there at present.Hannah never got a moment to herself.She appreciated all of Milly’s and Shannon’s love, but there were times their attention was suffocating, and inevitably, neither would understand her churning emotions for her captor.
That was why she hadn’t dared to divulge her true feelings.It was why her complicated knot of emotions for the man who’d turned her entire life upside down had to remain private.
“So, he just vanished into thin air?”Shannon’s tone was as snarky as Milly’s.
“We haven’t stopped looking for him,” The D.C.reiterated.“I just thought it was important to keep Miss Bowman in the loop.”
“Thanks.”Hannah’s smile was weak.Duplicity was hard work, especially when the people involved were her nearest and dearest.She longed to tell them how she was feeling, but couldn’t bear to see the disgust and disappointment in their eyes when they heard what was on her mind.No normal person could actually fall for their captor.Yet, Hannah was no normal person, and neither was Lawes.“I appreciate it.”
“This doesn’t make sense,” Shannon fumed.“Milly’s right.You must be able to track down what happened once he slipped out from under your colleague’s noses.Hannah was being held miles from where she lived.There must be local ways to identify him.”
“There appear to be limited cameras by the coast.”Willington sighed.“We assume Lawes got away on foot and then possibly stole a car.”He cringed at his uncertainty.“I’m sorry I can’t offer better news.”
“That’snonews.”Milly hissed.
“So, he could be anywhere?”Shannon added.
“Theoretically, yes.”Willington’s expression was pained.
“It’s okay.”Hannah blew out a breath.“The police are doing their best.”
“They’re doing nothing,” Shannon grumbled.
“They saved me,” Hannah reminded her friends.“Not once, but twice.”
Although she wasn’t sure she concurred with the notion of whatsaving hermeant.To Milly and Shannon, it signaled a return to her so-called normal life, but for Hannah, it was different.So far, since Lawes had slipped out the back door, her days had been filled with police interviews, unwelcome, complicated flashbacks, and the stifling company of her friends.There hadn’t been time to process what had happened, how she’d ended up in Lawes’ clutches again, and pivotally, whether she truly wanted to be right back there—in the arms of the man who’d imprisoned and subjugated her.
Without space to think and feel, she’d never be able to register what she’d been through and find the answers to the questions that plagued her.
Without space, she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
Her friends meant well.She knew that.But their inability to leave her alone meant processing both what the hell had happened, and her intensifying craving for Lawes, was impossible.Most of the time, she thought her head might implode with the pressure of her feelings.
By the time she looked up, Shannon was showing the D.C.out of her apartment.He turned, offering Hannah a wave as he walked out the door.
“Useless fuckers!”Shannon scowled as she slammed the door closed behind him.
All at once, the energy in the room amplified as her friends muttered dissatisfaction with the investigation.
“I need some air.”Unable to hear anymore, Hannah rose from her seat, grabbing her jacket and the new phone she’d bought.
