Page 177 of Severed Rivalry
“Very little. Renée told me there were two men, two vehicles. They had FBI jackets on and identified themselves that way, but, unless shit has changed in a bad, bad way, the FBI doesn’t kidnap people bodily.”
“Anything else?”
So much, but I skip that. “I’m just looking for my fiancée. Our daughter has a concussion and a broken arm. She got away lightly in comparison, but I still would like to—” I cut myself off and rein in my temper. “I’d still like to find Sariah.” I pause and splay my hands out at my side. “Her purse was found in her car. She has no ID, no cell phone. I’m out of my mind.” I point to the truck. “So much so, I stopped on the side of an interstate in hopes…”
“Check UC ER.”
Another University of Colorado hospital. They’re going to love seeing me again today. “Here?”
He turns over his shoulder. “Chow?”
“Yeah.”
“Let this guy through. Escort him to the ER.”
“Yes, sir.”
I extend a hand. “Thank you.”
He studies me, no doubt memorizing every detail. “Don’t mention it.” He shakes my outstretched hand.
I make my way back to the truck to a wide-eyed Renée and follow the cruiser through the offramp and onto the overpass then wind back streets until we come to an emergency room.
The officer gives a slight wave and continues through the lot back the way he came.
Backing into a spot, I put the car in park and ask the windshield, “Are you good to get out on your own?”
“I think so.”
“I have no clue what we’re walking into in there.” I lift my chin toward the entrance.
“I’ll be okay.”
I prep myself for another emergency room visit in under an hour. “You have Ayla’s number?”
She nods.
I nod back, but to what, I don’t know.
52
humidity-chic
Cian
“Sariah Ocotea was admitted within the last hour. She has no identification on her. And I don’t know why she’s here.”
Before I can mull over how pathetic I sound to the man at admissions, Renée cuts in. “I need to find my mom. She’ll be worried. I am too.” She slides her phone from her jeans pocket with a grunt and fumbles a few times with her non-dominant hand. She flips the device toward the man. “She looks like this.”
“Let me see what I can do.” He lifts the multi-line phone and pushes buttons.
This place isn’t that big. It’s more than a Doc-in-a-Box, but less than a full-on hospital. Yeah, it has medical practices on the property, but the actual emergency area can’t warrant all this.
“We brought in a Jane Doe? Yes. With GSW? Her family is here.”
I don’t hear more. GSW? Gunshot wound? I stare at the wall, willing my throat to swallow, willing my heart to keep pumping.
Finally, a small tug on my hand grabs my attention. “Come on, Ci. I know where we’re going.”
