Page 133 of Out on a Limb
And couldn’t give a shit what she thought of me.
Phillip squawked as I took the turn, wings flapping as he tried to keep his balance where he was perched onto Collette’s empty seat.
I went back to looking for the phone as the Jeep bounced along the side road, each jump of the tires making my search more difficult.
I could barely see the back end of the van as it flew through a stop sign.
The sound of the radio made it hard to focus so I stabbed at the power button, trying to turn it off.
Only the noise didn’t stop.
It was my phone.
I kept one eye on the road as I doubled down on my hunt.
The ringing was coming from Phillip.
I dug under him, ignoring his clear displeasure at the violation.
He could get over it.
I swiped across the screen as the van made another turn. “I need to call you back.”
Julia huffed into the phone. “Where in the hell are you guys?”
“Someone just took Collette.” I had to hit the brakes to keep the Jeep on the road at the next turn. “I need to call the cops.”
I sped down the isolated industrial road, looking for any sign of the van.
“Who took her?” Julia’s voice suddenly sounded very different.
Sharper.
Louder.
“I don’t fucking know. If I knew then I’d be where they are right now ripping their goddamned arms off.” I was getting dizzy from whipping my head from side to side. “I gotta let you go. I need to call the cops.”
“Andrew, listen to me.” Her words were slow and clear. “Do not call the cops.” I could hear movement on her end of the line. “Do you still see the van?”
I didn’t want to tell her the truth.
I didn’t want to admit the truth to myself. “I’ll find it again.”
“Where are you?”
I glanced around. “On the east end.”
“Stay right where you are. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“I’m going to keep looking for her.”
“I know people who can find her, Andrew. You’ve got to trust me on this.” Julia was out of breath now. Like she was running. “But don’t call the cops. Just wait for me to get there.”
“I need to find her, Julia.” My voice broke a little as reality started to set in.
Someone took Collette. Stole her right out from under me.
All this time I’d been worried she would leave me all on her own.
