Page 106 of Jace 4Ever
Nelson
The Lyft driver was going as fast as she could. I’d even told her I would pay all fines and get all charges dismissed if she could just get me to my place fast. Faster than fast.
The fifteen hours in the air had been hell. We’d had to stop at Praia, Cape Verde to refuel, which Paolo assured me was not far off a direct flight path. But the plane didn’t have enough fuel to make the trip in one go. We were down and back up in less than an hour. It still didn’t feel like it was fast enough.
The phone in my hand started vibrating and Smoke’s other number was on the face. “Hello?”
“Where are you?”
“Just getting on to the FDR. Where are you?”
“Just landed at JFK, grabbing a car. It’s not good news from my people.”
My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”
“Your place was broken into. It was apparently ransacked, and the only reason it wasn’t more awful was because one of your tenants upstairs called the detective you told me about. You left them the number?”
“Yes, I did, because they all knew what was going on and I wanted them to feel safe about staying there.”
“Smart move.”
“What about Jace?”
The pause told me everything I needed to know. “No sign of him.”
“Oh God...”
“No. Nelson. There’s absolutely no sign of him. Everything of his is still there that they can tell. There’s nothing missing of his. There’s no evidence that he was hurt or forced out or anything.”
Translation: no struggle, no blood.
Further translation: he was most likely still alive, somewhere.
“Nils, I’m going to be there as fast as this damn car can go. Please, listen to Bridget. She’s onsite with the detective. They’ll help you go through the place and we’ll figure out what’s going on. This is FBI and NYPD territory now, so we have to tread carefully. I really wish Jace had said something about this...”
“I can't believe he didn’t tell you.” The car turned off the FDR and headed to the side streets. “We’re almost there, Smoke. I’ll let Bridget and your people handle most of it. But I need to know where Jace is. I need to.”
“I know you do,” he answered. “Just keep cool.”
I nodded, even though I knew he couldn’t see me. “I am trying.”
“Me too, man. Me too. Jace has been under our wings for so long and he’s really come to life with you. I want that for him and for you.” There was a pause and I heard him talking to someone in the background. “Okay, I got my car, and I’m on the way. Just follow Bridget’s lead, okay?”
“Gotcha,” I answered and the Lyft driver pulled down my street, where I could see the detective’s car and several others in front of the house. “I’m here. Later.” I ended the call and hit the pay button on the Lyft app with a 100 percent tip, jumping out. I’d left all my bags on the plane —it wasn’t worth it to drag them with me.
There was a very tall man standing at the door below the stairs and I made a beeline for him. His mouth dropped open when he saw me, then shook it off.
“Mister Powers. I’m Nolan Dresher, from McInnis Security. Captain Gillam asked us to check the place out for you. Logan and Bridget are inside.”
“Where is Jace?” It was the only question I wanted answered.
“We’re not sure—”
I tried to shove by him, but he caught my elbow. “You can go in, but just be prepared. It’s a mess in there. There’s a lot of damage.”
He released my arm when I nodded. I marched into the apartment and—
A mess was probably an understatement. Walls were smashed, transoms ripped down, carpet destroyed. Someone had found my house paint and stain and a brush and got busy on the walls. The mirrors in my weight room were smashed, benches overturned. The door was off the hinges there and the one into the rest of the house.
