Page 59 of Not Our Daughter

“Well, Jack’s currently finishing up a job. But Cliff is open right now, if you want to get started right away.”

“No, it really needs to be Jack. My friend says he’s the man.”

She smiled. “He is the man. He did this whole arm.”

She held up her left arm, twisted it to show him all angles. It looked like a fiery Dungeons & Dragons scene.

“It’s beautiful,” he said, engaging the best he could.

“Thanks. All right, let me go see how much time he has left. Be right back.”

“Okay, thanks.”

The young woman slipped away from the counter and followed a hallway. Cole exhaled and his shoulders dropped a bit. He really hadn’t wanted to have to try to track down Candace’s old high school friend if he wasn’t at the tattoo parlor tonight. He pulled his phone out, quickly typed a text message to Lisa:He’s here. About to speak with him.She immediately hearted his message. He sent another text:You guys okay?She responded:Yes. No issues. Just anxious.He hearted her message. Cole then spotted the tattooed girl returning from the back hallway.

“Jack is actually about to wrap up,” she said. “So you won’t have to wait too long.”

“Great.”

“Can I get you something to drink? Whiskey? Tequila? Believe me, a shot of either can really help first-timers like you.”

He grinned. “I bet. But I should be good.”

“All right, I’ll take a shot for you. Have a seat. He’ll be right out.”

Forty-Six

Lisa reclined low in the passenger seat. Jade was in the back. They’d all bought new hoodies at Walmart on the way to Austin and both currently had their hoods up. Although they were a full block off Sixth Street, there was still quite a bit of streetlight and busy foot traffic on the sidewalk next to them. Most walkers paid little attention to them sitting in their vehicle. A few did, and it made her nervous. She was starting to wish they’d parked farther away. But Cole wanted the vehicle close by in case they needed to make a quick getaway for some reason. Lisa was about to text her husband again, to get a status update, when she suddenly spotted bright headlights move in directly behind them. When red and blue flashing lights suddenly went off, Lisa felt her heart nearly stop.

“Mom!” Jade shrieked from the back. “The police!”

“I know, I see them. Just stay calm.”

“Why are they behind us?”

“I don’t know. Just don’t panic.”

Lisa said this even though she was freaking out internally. Why was a police officer back there? Had they already been found again? There was no time for them to get out and walk away from the vehicle as a precaution. Lisa was cursing and praying at the same time. A uniformed officer was already out and moving up the sidewalk towardthe driver-side window. He looked to be in his early thirties and very clean-cut. He leaned into the vehicle and tapped on the glass. Lisa let out a deep breath, tried to steady herself. She put her shaky hand on the door lever and lowered the window. Her heart was in her throat.

“Ma’am, are you aware you’re illegally parked in a loading zone?” he said.

She was grateful to hear that. He was at least not initially arresting them.

“No, officer. My husband parked here. He must not have seen the sign.”

“Where is your husband?”

“He’ll be back soon. He’s just dropping something off.”

“Can I see your license and registration?”

Lisa swallowed again. “I don’t have that with me. But I can move the vehicle, if you want. This was an honest mistake.”

“Just wait here. I’ll be back in a moment.”

He walked back over to his vehicle and climbed inside. Lisa’s heart was pumping so hard she could feel it in her head. Was the cop about to run their plates? If he did, would it show up as a stolen vehicle? She had to suspect it would. Had the police in El Paso already put together that the thief was a fugitive? Was this cop about to realize who they were and storm right back with his gun drawn? Was he calling for backup? Were more cops about to arrive?

“Mom, what do we do?” Jade said, panic in her voice.

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