Page 129 of More Than Pen Pals

“I’m sorry.” My legs are no longer capable of holding me up, and I fall back onto the couch. “So you went after her?”

“Yes, I ran straight out when we got the message, and there was a taxi pulling away, and I think she was in it. It took the valet forever to get my car, and then I raced down here to her apartment building, but I didn’t know which apartment was hers, so I didn’t know who to buzz or where to go if someone would let me inside.”

I leap up, finding new strength. “I’m heading over there.”

“I’m going with you.”

The two of us run down the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. Jeff stands when we dash by and calls out, “Can I help you gentlemen with anything?”

We ignore him.

I sprint the five blocks to Leslie’s building, not stopping for red lights. I fling the outside door of the building open and repeatedly press the buzzer for her apartment. Nobody answers. I close my eyes and try to remember the number of the apartment across the hall from Leslie’s. I think I get it and jab the buzzer.

After several interminable seconds, a woman’s voice says, “Hello?”

“Hi, is this Maud?”

“Yes, who is this?”

Randall finally catches up with me and collapses against the wall.

“This is Leslie Beckett’s … boyfriend. You know, Leslie across the hall from you?”

“Oh, yes. I remember you.” There’s a smile in her voice. “Do you need me to buzz you up?”

“Yes, please. Leslie’s not answering.”

The door buzzes and clicks, and we rush through. When we exit the stairwell on Leslie’s floor, an older woman stands in the doorway across from Leslie’s door. She’s wrapped in a thick robe and is inexplicably wearing gloves.

“I tried knocking, but nobody answered,” she explains.

“Leslie!” I call out as I pound on her door. “If you’re in there, please let me in.”

Nothing but silence comes from her apartment.

I turn to Maud. “Have you heard her tonight?”

“The door opened and closed a few times in the past hour.” She glances away from me briefly and continues, “I also heard a man’s voice, and it wasn’t yours.”

Anger surges through me as I consider the possibility my dad followed her here, but then it hits me. “Shannon. It was probably her twin brother Shannon.”

“Ah, he had a Southern accent, like hers,” Maud replies. She cocks her head at me. “Is something wrong? Is Leslie okay?”

“Yes, something’s wrong, and I don’t know if she’s okay,” I explain. I pray she’s with Shannon and is somewhere safe. “I really need to find her.”

“All right,” she says. “If I see her, I’ll tell her you came by to check on her.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

I walk dejectedly down the stairs, Randall on my heels. When we head outside, I realize I didn’t wear a coat, and the night has turned frigid, but I decide I deserve the punishment. I should never have let Leslie meet my family without me.

I turn to my brother. “How did Dad end up there?”

He holds his hands palm up. “You tell me. But somehow he knew about the pen pal thingandabout Diego Sanchez. Regarding Diego, he told me, and I quote, ‘You will cease this activity immediately.’” He snorts. “I’m not ceasing anything. I don’t care what he does to me.”

My jaw tightens. “What did he say to Leslie?”

Randall relays the entire conversation. By the time he finishes, I’m primed to maim my father.

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