Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
After a quick glance around that no one was looking, I pressed closer, brushing my mouth to her neck. “We can reenact it later if you want. I’d love to make out with you in the back of the bus. Or maybe behind a bush at the zoo while all the little buggers are busy.”
She shivered, then used her best teacher voice. “Behave, Mr. DeSalvo. I don’t want to have to put you in time-out.”
With a low chuckle, I dropped another fast kiss to her skin. “I’d make out there with you too.”
Then I sat back. She shook her head and looked out the window, saying something to the little girl she sat next to. But I saw the soft color on her cheeks and the way she was smiling.
Mission accomplished.
We broke for lunch about 11:30. The morning had been busy, but fun. Everything was going well. The kids were well-behaved, and the biggest problem we had faced was all the bathroom breaks that were needed. Someone constantly needed to stop and never all at once. But Raven and Deb were patient, as were all the parents, and I just went with the flow. I was watchful, especially when it was Raven taking a child into one of the restrooms. But everything seemed fine. I saw nothing suspicious in the park. Families and couples strolling, lots of kids, tourists, and locals alike, taking pictures, enjoying the day. Guided groups, staff members walking around. Maintenance crews keeping the park clean of litter. Nothing was out of place. Still, I remained vigilant, staying close to Raven, watching her, a niggle of anxiety pulling at me. I had a few men and women around the park, and they were watching too. Mike and Tracey were volunteers. Raven had trackers on her, and we could all see where she was. I had eyes on her every moment I could.
I had learned in my business that when things seemed good on the surface, it often led to chaos. I wanted to be prepared.
I sat next to Raven at lunch, enjoying the simple sandwiches, cut-up veggies, and cookies that were provided. The kids all ate well, and I made sure Raven got a chance to eat, although she was far more concerned that Jenny wasn’t being picked on by Tommy or that John wasn’t eating Lori’s sandwich. I played referee with a couple of them while she ate her lunch, winking at her across the table and making her blush again. I loved doing that.
We continued on our tour, the clouds moving in, the kids a bit more restless and tired. I understood why they chose the morning for the large part of the day, and we only had an hour or so left in the excursion. I had a feeling the bus would be pretty quiet on the way back to the school. Maybe I could make out with Raven in the back. The thought made me grin.
“Ms. Raven—I have to go!” Cindy’s voice piped up. “Now!” she added, panicked.
Raven swooped her up in her arms and headed for the restroom up ahead. I took the end of her rope, and we all paused to look at the ducks swimming across from the building. A few moments passed, and I grew restless. I hated it when she was out of my sight for very long, even though I knew each trip was five or six minutes. I glanced at my watch after seven minutes had passed, about to call to Deb to hold both ropes, when I saw the door open. Except it wasn’t Raven who came out. Only Cindy—and she was crying. She hurried our way, and I rushed toward her. “What is it? Where is Ms. Raven?”
She wiped her face. “I don’t know. I heard her talking to someone, but she wasn’t there when I came out. I tried to wash my hands, but I got water everywhere,” she whimpered.
“Mike!” I yelled. “Take over!”
I burst through the door, surveying the empty room. I hit my alarm, knowing it would signal everyone I had in the park. They knew if I activated it, Raven was in trouble. I barked into my headpiece. “Missing. I repeat, Raven is missing. All eyes open wide.”
I headed to the back, shocked to see another door at the end of the stalls. It hadn’t been marked on the map of all the entrances and exits. I rushed through it, back into the park. It was semi-hidden in the bushes. I ran through them, my gaze taking in the scene. Families, kids, couples. A maintenance man emptying a garbage can, adding to the bin he was pushing.
No one running, nothing suspicious—which made everything suspicious. I hurried back into the restroom, calling Egan. “I need every camera. Get everything. Call the park security and get them on it.” I headed back out to the maintenance man, who had moved forward. “Did you see anyone come out of that restroom?”