Page 19 of Stand By You
“Skinny. Stripes,” Carlos said scooting to the edge of the couch. “It was black and it’s tongue was stinking out toward the guy’s thumb.”
“That’s very good detail,” Nick said, quickly sketching. “Did it look something like this?” He showed the boy the drawing he made.
“Yes. That’s it!” Carlos said, excited and he crossed the room to stand in front of Nick. “How did you guess?”
“From your detailed description, “Nick explained. “Thank you for your help, buddy. Was the tattoo on the tall guy or the shorter one?”
“There was only one,” Carlos said.
Nick nodded. “Let me ask you a different way. Was the guy with the tattoo tall or about average?”
The little boy studied for a moment. “About average.”
“Thank you again,” Nick said.
“Yes, thank you, Carlos,” Jillian said. “You’ve helped us figure out a few details about one of the men that was there yesterday when Travis vanished.”
“Do you know why he ran away?” Carlos asked. “Did I upset him? Mommy said he must have been upset for some reason to do that.”
Jillian glanced over at Monica, not understanding why Mrs. Fuentes would tell her son that Travis had run away instead of the truth. Did the woman think that pretending that Travis really did run away would be less devastating for her son than knowing that he’d been kidnapped? On second thought, it was better for Carlos not to know the truth for now.
“No, I don’t think you did anything to make him run away,” Jillian said. “If anything, he isn’t too happy that his father remarried, and he’ll have a stepmother.”
“Oh,” Carlos said. “Do you think she’ll be evil or wicked?”
“No. Abby isn’t like that at all,” Jillian said. “Travis’ fears are unfounded.”
Nick cleared his throat. “I think we better be going. We need to meet up with Detective Simons.”
“Right,” Jillian said, and she smiled at Carlos. “Thank you again for helping us today.”
“We’re so glad you were able to come by,” Monica said, standing up and walking over to join them. “Aren’t we, Carlos?”
“Yes,” the little boy said, going to his nanny. “I hope Travis comes home soon.”
Nick stood and helped Jillian get to her feet.
“So do we,” she replied.
“Let us know when he does,” Monica said with a wink.
“Of course,” Jillian assured as they all walked to the front door together.
“We really enjoy playing together,” Carlos said.
“I’ll make sure you know right away,” she said, waving before Nick helped her into his car.”
Once inside his car, Nick turned to her. “That was actually a good idea to stop in and talk to Carlos.” He quickly buckled his seat belt before starting the car. He drove down the drive and let the car idle while he finally made the call talking briefly to Detective Simons, letting him know about the snake tattoo that Carlos had told them about before he finally headed toward the interstate.
“What did he say?” Jillian asked.
“He’ll meet us there,” Nick said.
“But how will he know where there is?” Jillian demanded not understanding what he meant with her focus now on the two young men who had taken Travis “Those two could be getting away and we are not even out of the gates yet.”
“Calm down, Ms. Grant,” Nick suggested. “I forwarded him the satellite feed I’m following so he could do the same. That’s how he will know where to go.”
“But that doesn’t mean…” she said, her trembling voice trailing off and she looked out the window.
