“Sounds like he’s still hung up on his ex,” Lightning says. “Wonder why his dad didn’t want them dating.”
JB is stopped by a man who grabs his shoulder.
Two secret security agents surround the man. “Take your hand off of him,” one says.
The man puts his hands up and backs away. Once he does, the agents focus on JB. But I keep my eye on the man. He walks through a door at the back of the ballroom.
“Has anyone seen my mom?” JB yells. “Her purse is here, but she’s gone.”
Our eyes roam the space, and Mrs. Walton is nowhere to be seen.
“I’ll check out that door,” I say.
Lightning nods. I run to the back of the room, toward the only doors they could have gone through. It leads to a hallway that is empty. I follow it to another door. I push through it and find myself in an alley.
A white van is at the end of the alley and turns right. It’s too far to see the license plate.
I run back to the door, but it’s locked. After making my way to the front, I locate Lightning, who is hanging back while JB screams at the security agents. “Where is she?”
Lightning spots me and walks over.
“I’m pretty sure his mother was just kidnapped. By the time I got to the alley, a white van turned the corner. Too far to catch the plates.”
“Ballsy, right in the middle of a crowded event? Someone had to have seen something.”
“We should wait for the police so you can tell them about the van. I’ll keep an eye on JB,” Lightning says.
We both reenter the ball, and everyone is carrying on like nothing has happened. I spot a security guard and go up to him.
“Hey, we believe a woman was kidnapped from this event. Do you have any video cameras, or did any of your guys see anything?”
He frowns. “What woman?”
“Mrs. Walton, Senator Walton’s wife. I’m pretty sure they took her out the back door.” I point to the door.
The man grabs his radio. “There’s only two of us, and my partner is stationed near the front doors, so it’s doubtful he saw anything, but I’ll check.” He puts the radio to his mouth. “Caleb, we have a situation.”
“There are only two security guards at this entire event?”
The man nods. “Inside, yes. There are a couple of men working outside too.”
“The police are on their way. I’m sure they will want to talk to you,” Lightning says as I walk over to him.
“The security guard didn’t see anything.”
“Let’s see if JB has any more information,” Lightning says.
He’s surrounded by security agents as we approach. One steps in front of him.
“We need to ask him a few questions about his mother. We agree; it looks like she was kidnapped.”
JB pushes the agent out of the way. “I know these guys. Please tell me you can find her.”
“We can try. Do you have any idea who would want to take her or why?”
The color drains from his face. “That sonofabitch!” he yells. “I knew I should have kept a better watch.”
“Watch? From what?” I ask.
