Page 32 of Her Billionaire Hero
“Thanks.” I wanted to see if her car was still there, so I made my way to where I thought I’d seen it.
Standing in front of it was a short woman with dark hair and eyes, looking frantic. I caught her attention as I approached the car. “Who are you?”
“I’m Baldwyn Nash. I’m looking for Sloan Rivers, the owner of this car.”
Hurrying to me, she grabbed my arm as she said, “I can’t find her! She was right there with me and then there was so much smoke that I couldn’t see a thing. When it all cleared, she wasn’t here. I don’t know if she was taken to the hospital by medics or what happened to her. I’m freaking out here. I’ve called her cell a thousand times in the last hour.”
“That’s how long she’s been missing?” I asked.
Gulping back a sob as tears began rolling down her cheeks, she shook her head. “That’s how long it’s been since the smoke cleared enough for me to realize she isn’t here anymore. I don’t know when we lost each other. But the fire started almost two hours ago.”
“She’s got to be at the hospital,” I said. “I’ll go check. Are you Delia?”
“Yeah. She came to see me.” She leaned back on the car. “She’s gotta be at the hospital. Please let me know when you find her there. I’m worried sick.”
“Give me your number and I’ll give you a call as soon as I know something.” I handed her my phone after typing her name into my contact list. “I’m sure she’s fine. One of the firemen said there were no real injuries, just some cases of smoke inhalation.”
Handing my phone back to me, she nodded, but fear still filled her eyes. “I hope he was right. I’ve got such a bad feeling and I can’t shake it.”
I did too. But I couldn’t let my imagination run away with me. “I’ll call you soon.”
“Even if you don’t find her at the hospital, please let me know.”
Driving to the South Austin Medical Center, I found myself speeding and couldn’t make myself slow down. I had to get to her. I couldn’t wait to find her. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, forcing me to go even faster down the highway.
The lights of the hospital glowed ahead. My tires squealed as I turned the corner sharply to get into the parking lot of the emergency room. Throwing it in park, I got out and hauled ass inside. “I’m looking for Sloan Rivers. She may have been brought in by ambulance for smoke inhalation.”
The nurse at the reception desk looked at her computer screen and then back at me with blank eyes. “No one was brought in with that name.”
“She might not have been conscious. Is there anyone back there who came in that way? You know, a Jane Doe?” That had to be the reason why she didn’t have her name on the list.
“No, sir. Everyone who’s come in has been put into the system. She’s not here. Sorry.” She shrugged then added, “She may have been taken to another hospital.”
“How many emergency rooms are there in town?” I hoped like hell that I wouldn’t have to drive from one hospital to another.
“Look, you seem distraught. Let me make some calls to see if I can find her at any of the other hospitals.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. See, she’s had some trouble with her ex, and I’m worried he might’ve hurt her or even kidnapped her. If I can’t find her at any hospital, I need to let the police know she’s missing so they can find the man who might’ve taken her.” I knew I was getting way ahead of myself.
“I understand.” She held up one finger. “Hi, I’m calling from South Austin Medical Center and I need to know if you have a woman named Sloan Rivers in the emergency room there, or if she’s been admitted into the hospital.”
It felt as if an eternity passed while we waited for the answer. I heard it clearly over the phone, “No. No one by that name is here.”
“Ask about a Jane Doe,” I urged.
“Do you have a Jane Doe?”
Once again, I heard the answer, “No, we don’t.”
Twenty calls later, I found out that there was no one named Sloan Rivers and no Jane Doe in any of the area emergency centers. “Sorry, sir.”
“Thank you for all the help. I really do appreciate it.” I had no choice but to go to the police.
Driving downtown to the police station, I couldn’t breathe well. My chest hurt, like I was having a heart attack, and my brain felt fuzzy.
Approaching the dispatcher behind the thick bulletproof glass, I was greeted curtly. “Yeah?”
“I need to speak with someone about a missing person. Preferably someone who knows about Preston Rivers.” It seemed best to work with someone who already knew the man and the story behind him.
