Free Waiting and Watching by Darcy Darvill

asked, “Hey, where’s Connie?”
    â€œI might be asking you the same thing,” Julio said.
    â€œShe came back to the party to tell you she was leaving with me and to get her purse. I’ve been waiting for over twenty minutes and she still hasn’t come outside.”
    â€œIf she came back into the party, she never told me she was leaving with you. I suspected it when I saw you both walk outside together and then rumors surfaced that you two were playing ‘kissy face’ in the car,” Julio said, smiling.
    â€œDo you mean you haven’t seen her since Connie and I left about an hour ago?”
    â€œNo,” Julio said.
    â€œAnd, she didn’t come in here to tell you she was leaving with me?”
    â€œNo,” Julio repeated.
    â€œWhere then…Where in the hell is she?” Andrew asked with obvious concern.
    â€œShe’s probably in the ladies’ room gossiping or having a cig with the girls.”
    â€œMan, I hope you’re right. It seems kind of odd since she promised she’d be right out. Let’s walk over to the Ladies’ Room and send in a search party.”
    As they walked toward the women’s bathroom, Andrew recognized Sally Mullins and asked her if she would go in and see if Connie was there. Sally came out a few minutes later and said no one was in there.
    â€œLet’s check our rental car,” Julio said. “Maybe she left me a note there.”
    When they found no note in the car, they went back inside and found Connie’s purse at the bar where she’d left it.
    â€œSomething is very weird here,” Andrew said. “I’m beginning to get worried. Where do we go from here?”
    â€œLet’s head back to our hotel and see if she’s there,” Julio said.
    â€œI’ll meet you over there,” said Andrew.
    They walked into the lobby and asked the desk clerk if Connie had been back. He said he hadn’t seen her yet tonight and she would have to come by the desk to get a key. The clerk told Julio that he had an urgent message for him, but it wasn’t from Connie. The message was from Lily and she asked that Julio call her as soon as possible.
    â€œShit,” said Julio. “I don’t have time for her hocus pocus crap.” But he dialed the number anyway. “Hi, Lily,” he said impatiently, as he was eager to get back to locating Connie. “I’m in a hurry. What’s so important?”
    â€œWell, this will sound odd,” she said with hesitation. “I know you’re skeptical about my psychic abilities, but I keep having feelings that Connie’s in trouble. I can’t tell you where, but I think she’s in danger. Tell me she’s okay so I can relax and go to sleep.”
    â€œLily, I can’t tell you that. In fact, right at the moment, she’s missing. I’m going to hang up with you now and call the Tilden Park Police. Thanks for your concern, Lily.”
    â€œOne more thing, Julio. Do you know anyone with the initials J.R.? I feel you need to contact him.”
    Julio remembered Connie talking about Sgt. Joe Reynolds and how he was taking an interest in their parents’ case. “I think the sergeant Connie met is Joe Reynolds. I’m going to call him right now.”
    Julio quickly hung up and called the Tilden police. They said they would radio Sgt. Reynolds and have him call back immediately.

Chapter 17
    Connie hadn’t yet had an opportunity to make a break for freedom. Martin was forcing her to dance with him. One arm stayed firmly around her waist, while his free hand wandered over her body, fondling her breast and then cupping her ass to pull her against him. She could feel his erection and her fear of rape had grown exponentially. She knew she had to get out. And soon.
    Connie struggled to free herself from his grip, but he was too strong. Martin hummed to the music and seemed absorbed in his personal