They walked back to their vehicles in companionable silence, each thinking their own thoughts. As Shiobhan opened the door to Taz’s car, Robert said, “I think I’ll cruise around town for a bit and see if I can pick up traces of her scent. Maybe I’ll be able to hunt her down that way.”
“I appreciate it,” Shiobhan said.
“It’s better than sitting around doing nothing. You know me, I get restless… have to stretch my legs and run sometimes.” Patting his bike, he said, “It’s not as good as a true run, but she’s almost as fast as four legs and doesn’t tire quite as soon.”
“See you at the shop tomorrow, then?”
He nodded and slipped the helmet over his head, starting up the bike with a throaty mechanical purr. Inclining his head towards her, he punched it and tore out of the parking lot, opening the throttle and letting the bike soar. I just hope a cop doesn’t see him driving like that.
Shiobhan slid into the car and shut the door, her mind tangled with too many different thoughts vying for attention. Closing her eyes for a moment, she grounded and centered, whispering a prayer to the Goddess for strength and wisdom.
As she drove back to the Wild Rose, her mind kept returning to one thought. I know that I cleansed all the shadow tendrils the other day when I visited Glenn in the hospital. But there was definitely some again today, as if they were feeding upon him.
Thinking on that a bit more, she hit the steering wheel when the answer came to her. “Of course,” she muttered. They were feeding on him. Which means he isn’t just another normal mundane amongst the blind masses. That would explain the attraction I felt when touching him– like calls to like, and power calls to power.
Her thoughts turned grim as she followed that thread of logic. Which means things are possibly worse than I thought, if the attempt on his life was deliberate, and someone’s been draining energy from his talent. He mentioned a migraine, it’s likely that whomever was involved was metaphysically reasserting the tendrils, and that caused a physical response. Hopefully the protection oil should ward him long enough for us to get a better idea of what’s going on, or until I can shield him better.
She pulled into a parking spot near the shop and tossed the keys to Taz as she entered it. “Thanks.” Seeing Kelly was with another customer, she snagged the phone and said, “I’ll be in the back making some calls.”
Drawing in a deep breath, she dialed her father’s number. A few rings and the answering machine picked up. “Hi Dad, it’s Shiobahn,” she said, knowing he usually screened calls.
Sure enough, he picked up. “Hi hon. Is she ok?”
“We’re not sure. I talked to her roommate, and she didn’t come home last night.” She mentally debated for a moment before giving in and adding, “I think someone’s taken her, Dad.”
“What do you mean? Taken her where? How do you know? What can I do?” She could hear the panic rising in his voice as he talked, and raised her empathic shields higher, not wanting to be overwhelmed by his emotion.
“I think someone kidnapped her. She went with some of her friends to help pick up a classmate who’d had too much to drink. But she didn’t come home from the club with them, and one of the bouncers ended up in the hospital. They found him outside the club down the street.
“We found her student ID card a few streets over. It looks like she might have been running away from someone, and the bouncer saw or heard something and they beat him up. He’s ok, but doesn’t remember much from that night. We’re going to go over there with him tomorrow night once he’s out of the hospital, and see if he can remember anything then. But since she didn’t call anyone and no-one’s seen her, it looks like whomever attacked the bouncer likely kidnapped her.”
She heard a muffled curse through the phone and waited for some time before he replied. “I’ll be on the next flight to T. F. Green. Can you meet me at the airport?”
Shaking her head, she said, “No, Dad. It’s best that you stay where you are. If she manages to get away from them, or if she wasn’t kidnapped, she’ll probably call you. She hasn’t talked to me in years, she probably wouldn’t call here. Or if the kidnappers try to ransom her, they’ll probably call you. We don’t know for sure what’s going on right now, but we can’t take any chances.”
“You’re probably right,” he said with an audible sigh. “I just hate sitting here, knowing that she’s not ok, and not being able to do something about it.”
“I know. Remember when I was young and you were still working as a long-haul truck driver? How Mom and I would leave a candle by the window, so you’d have a light to guide you home? That’s what you’re doing for Sorcha. Light a candle for her, and keep it burning. Pray for her. That means more than most people ever realize. Let me and mine work from here to find her, and you just keep home ready to welcome her back.”
“When did you grow up and become so wise?” At a loss for words, Shiobahn couldn’t think of any response. “Probably when I was too busy badgering you for not doing what I wanted you to. I don’t think I said it enough when you were growing up, but I’m proud of you, kid.” Tears formed in her eyes as he changed the subject. “Have you contacted the police yet?”
“Not yet, that was my next call. The bouncer gave me the number of the detective looking into his attack; since they’re likely related, I’ll contact him and handle filing any paperwork necessary.”
“Bring her home safe, Shiobhan.”
“Gods willing, that’s what I intend to do. I’ll call you if I hear anything. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She took a moment to regain her composure, wiping the tears from her eyes. Dialing the number on the card, she spoke with the officer and filled him in on the situation. Detective Ranier took the report with sincere concern, and requested she come down to the station to file a full report.
“I can’t put out an Amber Alert,” he said, “since she’s over 18. We also don’t know who took her or what kind of car she’s in, either. But if you come on down to the station, we can get a report filed right away and inform the NCIC about it. They track kidnapping cases on a federal level, so if someone takes her across state lines, the information will still be in the system.”
“Thanks. I just need to talk to my employees here at the shop and I’ll be right over to do that.”
“Give the front desk my name, and I’ll walk you through the paperwork. Given what you said about events, I’ll handle this as an extension of the case I’m already working, and I’ll ask around to see if any other missing persons fit a similar profile.”
“I appreciate it, Detective. My father’s staying at home in Portland in case anyone tries to call there, but if we need him, he’ll fly down.”
“He’s probably best where he is, but I’ll let you know if we think he should be present. I’ve got another call coming in, so I’ll see you in a few minutes?”
“Yes, sir,” she promised, and hung up. Heading out to the front of the store, she set the phone down on the cradle and sighed, rubbing her temples. Looking around and seeing no customers, but both Taz and Kelly looking at her with concern, she gave them a wan smile.
“As far as we can tell– and this is not confirmed– it looks like she might have been kidnapped. I’m about to head over to the police station and file a missing persons report. I’m probably going to be in and out of the shop a lot over the next however long it takes to find her, so the store is in your hands. Alternate shifts if you want, or whatever, just work it out amongst yourselves. I’ll approve any overtime, just fill out your time cards and I’ll make sure to come in on Thursday to call in the payroll.”
“Take care of yourself and we’ll hold the fort down here while you find your sister,” Taz said.
“Amen,” Kelly said. “If there’s anything we can do… anything… just let us know.”
“Ditto.” Tossing his keys on the table in front of her, Taz said, “Take the Honda until this is sorted out. I know you’re not crazy on driving a lot, but you might need it. And she’s fast.” Sheepishly, he added, “There’s a radar jammer in the glove compartment if you need, too.”
Her eyes misting over again, Shiobhan said, “Thanks guys.” Hugging each of them tightly, she took comfort in their friendship. “I have to run, but I’ll call if I hear anything. It’s also possible that she might come to the shop, so ring my cell if anything comes up. I’ll actually turn it on for once.”
“You mean, for the first time since you bought it?” Taz joked.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” She headed back out the door, feeling like she’d been running around all day to accomplish so little.
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