"Ah, that would explain it," he nods."High-end phone, easy to sell.Worth the risk."
After taking my statement, we drive home.Glass fragments force Jeremy into the back seat, and the wind whipping through the broken window makes conversation impossible.I drop him off, then head for my apartment, my mind already shifting to thoughts of making things right with Alisha.
The elevator seems to crawl.I massage the spot between my eyebrows, tension building behind my eyes.When the doors finally open, I stride toward my apartment, ready to grab my spare phone and call her.
"Alisha?"I call out as I enter.
My head snaps right, finding Samantha and Amanda on the couch watching TV.Amanda's eyes dart to my side like she's expecting someone else to be there.
"Where's Alisha?"
The women exchange glances and laugh.
Amanda stands, moving to the door."Hilarious, Cole."She peers into the hallway, calling out, "Come out, you sneaky girlfriend!"
Sam appears at my side just as Amanda turns back, watchfulness creeping into her expression.
"Where is Alisha?"I repeat, dread starting to coil in my gut.
Amanda's eyes lock onto mine."She's with you."She steps closer."Tell Alisha to come out.This isn't funny."
"She isn't with me, Amanda!"
"But you sent her a message."Confusion clouds her face."Saying you were okay and wanted to talk things out at the diner across from the store."
"I didn't send any text."
"Yes, you did!I saw it myself!"She jabs a finger at me."The text came from your phone!"
"I didn't—" The truth slams into me like a freight train."No!Shit.Call the fucking police, Amanda.I'm going to the diner."
"Dad?"Samantha's trembling voice stops me at the door."What's going on?"
I grab her hands, fighting to keep my voice steady."Someone broke into my car today.They stole my phone."
"Who would..."She breaks off, horror dawning in her eyes."Oh my god."
Amanda's already dialing, hands shaking."Go!Find her, Cole.If you're right, she's in real danger."
I press a kiss to Sam's forehead, forcing certainty into my voice."Don't worry.Everything will be fine, I promise.See you soon."
I sprint down the hallway and take the stairs, too wired to wait for the elevator.My heart pounds against my ribs as I race to my car.Please, Alex, be okay.The prayer repeats in my head like a mantra as I tear through Boston's streets, ignoring every traffic sign in my path.
Screeching to a halt in front of the diner, I barely remember to throw the car in park before jumping out.My jacket lands somewhere in the backseat as I charge through the door, desperation making my movements jerky, urgent.
A server approaches, taking in my wild eyes."Can I help you, sir?"
"Yes, I'm looking for the woman who works across the street in that clothing store."The words tumble out as I point through the window."She has long blonde hair, green eyes—"
"Oh, you mean Alisha?"
"Yes."Hope flares."Have you seen her?"
The woman shakes her head, crushing that brief spark."Sorry, my shift started at four o'clock.She hasn't been in."
Fear crawls up my spine as I rake my hands through my hair, trying to think straight."Okay, thank you," I manage, already heading for the door.Standing on the sidewalk, I force my racing mind to focus.The police aren't here yet.Think, dammit, think.Where would she be?
Then it hits me.
