Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Tamara, honey,” a woman says as she comes into the room. She looks so much like Tamara that I know immediately she must be her grandmother.
“Grandma.” Tamara rushes toward the older woman, burying her face against her chest while wrapping her arms around her. “I didn’t think you would really come.”
“Of course I’d come, you know that, honey. All you have to do is call, and I will always be there for you,” she says, and Tamara pulls back to look at her.
“Mom’s missing,” she says, beginning to cry.
“I know, I wish you would have called me sooner,” Tamara’s grandmother scolds her softly, holding her tighter.
“You and Mom were fighting, I . . . I didn’t think you would care,” Tamara says, pulling back to look at her.
“Of course I care, child.” She shakes her head at her, then pulls her back in for another hug, and I see the tears in her eyes as she does.
“Mrs. Albergastey, this is Officer Levi Fremont and Officer Wesley Jameson. They are with the NYPD. Tamara has been filling them in on what’s happened,” Mrs. Thompson says, and Mrs. Albergastey looks at both men, who are now standing.
“Please tell me you will find my daughter.”
“We will try,” Levi says looking at her, then Tamara. “I think we have all we need from you for right now, Tamara, but I’m going to give my number to your grandmother. If you think of anything else at all, call my cell, and Mrs. Albergastey, if you think of anything, you can do the same.”
“It’s that man . . . ,” she huffs, shaking her head at Levi. “That man Juan that she’s been seeing, I told her that he’s no good, but my daughter is stubborn and refused to listen to reason. He did something to her, I know he did.”
I feel my heart lodge in my throat. I hope she’s wrong. I hope—as bad as it is—that she just needed to get away and took off for a couple of days. I hope that nothing happened to her.
“We will do our best to find your daughter, Mrs. Albergastey,” Wesley says, then his eyes move to Mrs. Thompson. “Where can I get a list of addresses and phone numbers for Tamara’s mother?” he asks, and Mrs. Thompson looks at me.
“I’ll be back in a moment. I’m going to have Samantha print the information out.”
“Sure,” I agree, watching her leave the room with Wesley.
“Will you find my mom?” Tamara asks, and I look at Levi. I can tell he’s torn between lying to her to give her what she needs and telling the truth.
“We will do our best,” he states, and she nods, moving her eyes to me.
“How will I get my schoolwork and stuff?”
“I . . .”
“I will stay with you in the city until this is sorted, honey. That way you won’t have to miss class,” Mrs. Albergastey tells her, and her body relaxes right before she comes over to give me a hug.
“Thank you, Miss Reed.”
“Any time, and if you need me, you can call Levi’s number, okay?” I whisper, and she nods against my chest. Catching her grandmother watching us, I let her go, then stick my hand out toward her. “I’m sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Miss Reed, Tamara’s teacher.”
“I’ve heard about you. Tamara said you are the first person she’s met who may love books more than she does,” she says, and I find myself smiling as she pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Now, we really should get going. We need to go to my place and pick some stuff up,” she says, ushering Tamara toward the door. “And please, the second you know anything, anything at all, you call and tell me,” she says to Levi. He nods as I wrap my arms around my waist, watching them leave huddled together.
“You okay?” Levi asks as soon as they’re gone, and I shake my head no.
“I’m worried. Do you think her mom’s okay?”
“I don’t know, baby. But I’ll find out.”
“Okay,” I whisper, and his eyes soften as he takes a step toward me.
“Got the stuff we need, you ready?” Wesley asks, breaking into the moment, but Levi doesn’t take his eyes off mine. I can tell that he wants to touch me—I can almost feel the energy flare between us.
“I’ll be okay, I’ll see you tonight,” I say, and his jaw ticks.
“See you tonight. Call me when you get home.”
“I will.” He nods, then looks to Mrs. Thompson, who’s looking between the two of us with curiosity. “It was nice meeting you.”
“You, too.” She gives him a smile, then he and Wesley leave through the open door.
“I hope they find her,” Mrs. Thompson says, and I pull my eyes from Levi’s retreating back to look at her.