Page 56 of Special Agent Isabella

Within seconds, Tanner set up the older videos on their large desk screen. The ones they’d collected of the governor from weeks leading up to the event, looking for anything out of place. Within a short time, they were inspecting views of Stacy at her desk. Sure enough, there was a wide pink watch band on her wrist with a large face.

“That’s it. I’m sure she had it on when she was abducted. I didn’t notice it before because she wore a long sleeve sweater, and it covered her wrist. But I vaguely remember that before she went into the bathroom, she checked her steps. That’s what determined her intention of going for a walk.”

Scanning closer, they could see the jewelry well enough to do a search on the brand. Within minutes they found the replica on Amazon. Sure enough, it was the type with tracking ability.

“Her cellphone must have the app for the watch, right?” Bruce’s excitement was obvious.

Tanner deflated. “Actually, it doesn’t. When we found it, we did a search for that sort of thing.”

“She would have set it up, I know it. Stacy was annal about those apps.” Bruce’s expression lightened. “Unless it’s on her personal cell. The one she leaves at home.”

“Jesus, she has two phones. Of course, she does. Why didn’t I think of that?”

Tanner called the guard at the house to check with the housekeeper for the device and then to bring it to him. Waiting was torture but it helped having Bruce brainstorm with him about what Stacy had been working on… in case they missed something. Eventually, a cop showed up with the phone and Tanner breathed a sigh of relief to see it was a newer model. Within minutes after they had it in their possession, they discovered the tracking system and found a symbol that showed on the screen’s map.

“Not sure where that is.” Bruce had to take off his glasses and lean in to see the small image.

Tanner replied knowingly. “It’s about twenty miles outside of Scottsdale, in a rural area. In fact, I think there’s very few houses out that way, maybe some trailers and cabins. Water is scarce and so many have given up trying to live there.”

Bruce’s expression darkened. “Don’t get me started on the drought situation. It’s one of the things we’ve been working on, and it’s a brutal subject. If only the previous administration had dealt with it sooner, we might be ahead of this mess.”

“No doubt. Listen, thanks for coming in with this Bruce. It’s a huge breakthrough.” Before he could say more his cell rang. As soon as he saw Bella’s name, he pushed play.

Bruce waved his goodbye and left the room, leaving Tanner the privacy for which he was grateful.

“Hi. What’s up? I thought you’d be here by now.”

“Yeah, me too. But something happened at the center, and I can’t leave.”

He heard the sorrow in her voice, and his antenna for bad news began to send signals. “What happened, Bella. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but Demi is dealing with a mess. Do you remember us talking about that delinquent kid, Hewie?”

“The one who came looking for a fight a while back and you got him arrested for his stupid behavior?”

“That’s him.”

“He got out so soon? Christ, the kid had a gun and an intent to use it.”

“Yeah, well take that up with the justice system.”

“Right. So, what happened?”

“He showed up again tonight, all whacked out. This time he had a knife and a craving to pay Demi back for his time behind bars. Before he could get to her, Alan, her new friend, must have waylaid him and got into a tussle with the crackhead.”

Tanner’s adrenalin, insane from the moment Bella started her explanation, almost shot through the roof at what he instinctively knew her next words were likely to be.

“He’s dead?”

“Not when they took him away in the ambulance. But the guy was in bad shape. Demi went with him, and I pray to God, he makes it. But it meant that I had to stay here with Abbie. Can you go to the hospital and be with Demi?”

“Jesus, Bella. I wish I could, but I just got a break on Stacy’s location and was heading out to get her. In fact, I had intended to call you to meet me so we could go together.” He filled her in with their newest update.

“Jesus, when it rains it pours, doesn’t it? Look, I can’t leave here. If Abbie wakes up she’ll be terrified without me nearby. It would have been okay with Demi, but the little one doesn’t know anyone else.”

“Hell, I understand. Of course. You have to stay. Look, the area I’m investigating is outside of Scottsdale. I don’t know when I’ll get back but keep me in the loop, and I’ll do the same for you. I’m worried about Demi.”

“Tanner, you should have seen her when I first arrived, and we started talking about Alan. I’ve never known her to be so infatuated before. She shone like the star on top of a Christmas tree.”

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