Page 97 of Three Girls Gone
“Nope. I’m starving, and there might not be another time toeat. And before you say, how can I eat at a time like this, let me tell you. I’m with Katherine. I feel it in my gut that we’re narrowing in on this guy. We’re going to save Eloise, and to do that I need my strength. So you can eat or not. That’s up to you, but I am.” Trent parked, turned the car off, and got out.
She followed a few seconds later, and he was waiting by the car. “I’m with you. Just don’t tell Zoe we ate here without her.”
Trent smiled. “I promise.”
Amanda’s phone rang with Malone’s name on the screen. She answered.
“Just calling to let you know the appeal to the public has been issued and calls are already coming in.”
“Any panning out?” She had little respect for the media, nor did she agree with Buchanan’s decision about posting Wilcox’s face out there. For the off chance someone would recognize him, she felt the risk was too high. All they’d learned so far painted the picture of a man who didn’t like the spotlight.
“Nothing yet, but I’ll keep you posted if that changes. I take it you and Trent struck out with vehicle rentals?”
“So far. Trent’s waiting for a call back from one company in the area.”
They ended the call a moment later, and she updated Trent and added, “I still have this horrible feeling the public appeal is going to spook Wilcox and make him do something rash.” Though even as she said that she recognized the irony. His recent actions showed he was already there.
“It could, but it also might help us find the guy.”
“Yeah, well, I’m thinking we should contact the rental companies near Wilcox’s apartment in NYC. Even if there are several, it’s better than sitting on our hands.”
“Okay, I get you want to do something proactive.”
“You bet I do.” She was quaking with frustration and worry over Eloise. “And maybe it makes more sense he’d rent a car in NYC. Otherwise, how did he get to Woodbridge?”
“Train, bus… He could have even hitchhiked. The possibilities are endless. And let’s face it, he would have watched his steps and kept a low profile. Those options would provide that more than renting a vehicle, which requires a credit card.”
“But we’ve seen cases where that’s been waived by a rental company before. Not that it matters since we don’t have his financials. But the cash he collected from subletting his apartment would have made it easier for him to stay off the grid.”
“One light in that tunnel is he’s been messing up since he got here. The notes to Katherine, snatching a second girl. He’s getting sloppy.”
“Which is good for us.” Not that this made her feel better.
“Amanda, I know you want to save Eloise. So do I, but just doing things for the sake of doing something isn’t productive either.”
“It feels better than waiting around.”
Someone came out of the burger joint, and she and Trent stepped out of the way. The smell of the barbecued patties had her stomach growling.
“Fine, we’ll eat quick, and then we’ll…” For someone who mapped out the next several steps in her head, her mind was blank.
Trent touched her shoulder. “It’s all right not having answers all the time. We’ll get them.”
She appreciated the sentiment, but she was screaming inside.It would be nice just this once!But she nodded and then went into the restaurant. They each got a coffee and a cheeseburger. Trent added a side of fries.
The woman at the counter was grinning at them. “Hey, it’s you two again. Where’s that sweet little girl of yours?”
She must have thought she and Trent were a couple, but Amanda wasn’t in the mood to correct her. “She’s with her grandmother tonight,” Amanda told her.
“Good for her. Grandmas are the best.” The woman turnedand scooped fries into a carton. She set them on a tray and grabbed their burgers as they came down the metal chute. Next, she poured out the coffee and added it to the rest of their order. “There ya go. Y’all enjoy.”
“Thanks.” Trent picked up the tray, and Amanda selected a booth in the corner.
The location was isolated and would give them privacy and some quiet. She took a bite of her cheeseburger and savored the comfort food, which her soul needed. Before she knew it, she’d inhaled her entire burger and was plucking a fry from Trent’s wrapper.
“Please, just help yourself,” he teased.
“Don’t mind if I do.” She took another one and popped it into her mouth.
