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He closed his eyes and jacked himself off in the cold shower. She’d been so brave to ask for what she wanted. She was new to the love-making, but he liked that she felt comfortable enough with him.
He was out of the shower within minutes, not liking the thought of Mary having to face whoever it was at their door by herself. He put on some sweats and a shirt before he went downstairs. When he heard Mary’s rising voice, he hastened his pace. The second she saw him, she flung herself into his arms.
“Zoe’s gone!”
It was all he could make out from her muffled voice before she broke into tears.
There were two detectives sitting in the living room. They got off the couch when they saw him. They explained that someone had snatched Zoe from the school yard. The more they explained, the angrier Hector got.
One of the detectives cleared his throat. “Mr. Diaz, I’m Detective Sanders. We have asked your wife, but maybe you could help us out. Can you think of anyone who might have a reason to abduct Zoe?”
“When did this happen?”
“This morning, at the school yard. We were hoping that you could give us any information.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. I have no idea why someone would do that.”
The detective didn’t seem surprised by his answer and Hector assumed that Mary had told him about his practically nonexistent relationship to Zoe.
He took a card from Detective Sanders, just to get rid of the man. Sanders must have seen something in his face because his eyes narrowed.
“We know who you are, Mr. Diaz. Leave this matter to the SFPD. This town has no place for vigilante justice.”
“I wouldn’t think of it,” Hector said smoothly. “I will stay right here and wait by the phone.”
Sanders gave him an apprehensive look before he and his partner left.
The second they were alone, Hector cupped Mary’s cheek. “I’m going to find her.”
“I know you will.” There was no hesitation in her voice. Not even a speck of doubt. “I’m coming with.”
Yeah, no… “I don’t think so.”
“But—”
“You’ll only slow me down. I can’t concentrate on Zoe if I have to look out for you as well.”
She nodded reluctantly.
He took out his phone and called Achilles. “Pick me up ASAP. We’re going on a hunt.”
It was time to exact some “vigilante justice.”
***
He didn’t stay long after the detectives had left. He’d called over Jazzy to stay with Mary; he didn’t want her to be alone. An Amber alert had been sent out, but that was hours ago, and so far, they didn’t have any clues.
Mary couldn’t answer the question as to who Zoe’s father was. There was no name on the birth certificate and Britney had once entrusted her that Zoe had been the result of a one-night stand. It was unlikely that a father who had never been in the picture would have kidnapped her.
“What a fucked-up world,” Achilles said from the seat next to him after ending another phone call.
Kids being snatched up from school was the definition of fucked up. A call came in and Hector put Jazzy on speaker. Jazzy’s company developed facial recognition software specifically for children. Her help would be most welcome.
“Talk to me, Jaz.”
“Hey, Hector. So, I have some news. I tracked Zoe down, the last sighting she was taken out of a black van in Fillmore. This was just two hours ago. From there, I lost her trail. I was able to get a partial plate number and gave that info to the police. They said they’re looking into the matter, but so far, nothing. There wasn’t much to go on, I’m afraid. So, I’ve called in some help from my friend, Tess. She’ll be giving you a call. Don’t um… don’t ask how Tess knows things. Just go with it.”
Now that sounded as cryptic as they came, but he’d take it. “Thanks, Jaz. How’s Mary holding up?”