All I've Ever Wanted - Adrianne Byrd [59]
When the bus station finally came into view, he slammed on his brakes and caused another squeal of protest from his tires. He jumped out of the car and the smell of burned rubber assaulted his nostrils. He waved off the scent and raced into the building.
The confused crowd inside parted like the Red Sea when the police raced past them. His gaze swept the room as he headed toward the ticket counter. There was no sign of Kennedy.
“Where’s the bus heading out to Memphis?” he demanded from the woman behind the counter.
She glanced toward a door and then down at her watch. “I-it just left about three minutes ago.”
“Damn.” He pivoted, but then turned back. “What’s the bus number?”
When she gave it to him, he replied, “Thanks.” He turned toward the other officers and instructed them on which bus to pursue.
The men nodded and ran back toward the main exit.
Kennedy stretched her feet out to rest on the adjoining seat. She had gotten her wish. At least she’d have a comfortable trip. She removed the fleece jacket she was wearing and bundled it into a ball so it could serve as a pillow.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the sun’s warmth on her face. Her fate had been sealed. She sighed in resignation. Images of Maxwell Collier floated in her head like a dream, and she couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like if they had met under different circumstances. What would it have been like to go out on a date with him—to have the chance to get to know each other like other couples?
She smiled, imagining a romantic evening at one of Atlanta’s finest restaurants, and perhaps even a jazz concert of her choice. He, of course, would have been dressed to the nines in either Armani or Versace, while she, too, would have worn a designer original. Her smile widened as her Cinderella tale continued to unfold in her head.
The bus jerked to a stop and Kenney pitched forward onto the floor. Her right arm twisted awkwardly beneath her. Pain ripped through her as she struggled to get up.
She managed to return to her seat while clutching her broken arm close to her body. Wincing, she glanced out of the window to see why they had stopped.
Alarm gripped her at the sight of flashing blue-and-white lights.
“No.”
The bus doors swooshed open. She heard heavy footsteps approaching, even seconds before she saw his face.
“No,” she moaned. And at that exact moment Maxwell Collier’s furious gaze met hers.
“I want Lawrence found,” Steve demanded into his car phone. His temper flared at an all-time high. “I can’t believe how sloppy he’s handled everything. He may as well paint a red sign for the media, leading them to me.” He listened to the man on the other line before erupting again.
“What do you mean he’s disappeared? Disappeared how?”
He listened again, and wished like hell that the dim-witted gang leader stood in front of him.
“Calm down? Don’t tell me to calm down. I’ll calm down when that man is found. Do I make myself clear?” He glanced into his rearview mirror and frowned at seeing the same gray Honda trailing two cars behind him.
“Look, I’m going to have to call you back. Uh-huh. Later.” He disconnected the call, and then adjusted the mirror. “Who in the hell is that?”
He made a sudden turn onto Tenth Street and waited for the Honda to materialize. When it did, he cursed out loud and reached over to the glove compartment for his gun.
Hands slick with perspiration, Aaliyah questioned her sanity once again. After every turn, she’d thought about bailing out of her ill-thought-out plan. She’d already contacted her editor promising him a story that would knock his socks off. She’d also called Reggie to tell him to meet her back at her place by seven.
However, the question of the hour was, why had she called Det. Collier? Maybe something within her wanted to make amends for the way she had treated him.