Page 104 of Chasing the Red Queen

Vengeance

Investigating a crime scene on the banks of the Ontario Soo, Torin felt his phone vibrate. Burdened by the sight of Marie, Antonio’s daughter who had been mercilessly tortured, not a bone in her body intact, he ripped the latex gloves from his hands. He fumbled nervously in his pocket for the phone.

“Hello.”

“Torin!” Antonio’s voice blasted.

“I’m here.” Torin answered softly, walking away from the officers.

“I had a message to call you about my daughter.”

“From who?” Torin asked.

“I can’t say, it was a strange voice. Where are you?”

“Crime scene, Ontario Soo,” Torin paused, “another victim and I,” he paused, “was just about to call you.”

“Marie’s missing.” Antonio said.

Torin didn’t respond, searching for words he could not find.

“Oh no—oh God no,” Antonio moaned, “don’t tell me—no!”

“I’m sorry,” Torin whispered, squeezing his eyes tight.

The phone line crackled.

“Are you still there?” Torin asked.

“Yes,” Antonio gasped.

Torin gave him a moment. Finally, he heard Antonio sucking in air and then Antonio exhaled forcefully. “Was it him?”

“Yes.”

“I want the bastard,” Antonio sobbed.

“I understand,” Torin answered softly.

“The hell you do,” Antonio blurted, “she was my baby girl,” his voice cracked.

Torin closed his eyes.

“Find him,” Antonio said, his voice more in control, “do you hear me, Torin?”

“Yes, and again, I’m so sorry.”

The phone beeped an incoming call.

“I have a call, I need to take it,” Torin said, thankful to escape the misery. “I’ll call you back.” He ended the call and answered.

“Torin, it’s Gage, get to River Road fast, there’s an Affiliate on Donja and Makayla’s butt. Hurry!”

~~~

Inside the sleek, black Charger with the emergency light flashing, Torin sped out Highway 75, approaching 120 mph on the two-lane road. Sixteen miles outside of the Soo, he spied Gage’s burgundy Toyota Tundra parked on the shoulder. He slid to a stop, gravel flying, jumped out and ran to the truck. He opened the door and slid inside. Gage was behind the wheel, Makayla who had a bloody nose, sobbing in his arms.

“What the hell happened here?” Torin growled.

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