Almost Dead (Lizzy Gardner #5)(58)

He expelled a heavy sigh. “Are you talking about the linebacker from the other day?”

“That’s right.” She refused to let his blasé attitude affect her. “You can order the hospital to release the tapes from the security cameras. I know his exact time of arrival.” She dug around inside her purse. “Here’s one of the cards he left at the hospital. Wanted me to know he could have killed Jared but he wanted me to suffer instead.”

He paused. “And this has something to do with Shelby?”

“Yes. This guy is trying to screw with me . . . following me, leaving notes, and that’s why he decided to take Shelby.”

He said nothing.

“So, you’ll get the tapes?”

“That could take weeks.”

The man was a bastard. “If you threw your weight at them like you throw it at people like me, we could find her.”

Again. Nothing.

Lizzy pushed the hair out of her eyes and said, “It’s something, isn’t it? I’ve installed cameras on the property where I’m staying. If we could set up twenty-four-hour surveillance, there’s a good chance someone will spot him, and we could follow him.”

“There’s that we again.” He held up a hand, stopping her from saying anything more before he could finish. “Listen, I know you’ve been talking to Shelby’s friends and family. As long as you don’t get in the way of the investigation, I’ve decided to let it go, but we don’t have the manpower to follow you around because of a hunch.”

“It’s not a hunch. He has Shelby.”

He flipped the sandwich, turned down the burner, and then used the spatula to flatten the bread. Cheese oozed out from two slices of thick sourdough. He pulled out a cutting board and sliced a pickle into quarters. He then searched through the cupboard for another plate. The man obviously didn’t have guests very often. When everything was ready to go, he took the plate and another glass of milk and headed for the family room.

“Come on,” he said. “We’re done in here.”

When they made it back to the couch, he gestured for her to have a seat, which she did. “Are you sure you don’t want this sandwich?” she asked. “It’s bigger than yours and it’s hot.”

“No,” he said. “I like my grilled cheese cold and my milk warm. I’m good.”

She ate her sandwich, watched the game, and thought about Shelby. She wondered where the man was holding her hostage. She wouldn’t allow herself to imagine that Shelby was no longer alive. Twice now she’d caught a glimpse of the man at close range. She hadn’t been able to make out the color of his hair or the shape of his eyes. Just like the detective said; he was a big white guy. “The man was wearing a plaid shirt,” she blurted.

He picked up the remote and hit the Mute button. “What are you trying to say, Gardner?”

“Who wears a plaid shirt?”

“The question should be, who doesn’t?”

Lizzy sighed. “It was filthy, worn. As if it was the only shirt he owned. Same with his jeans.”

“So he’s either a slob or he’s homeless.”

“Exactly.”

“You told me he was cleanly shaved.”

“Not a superclose shave, but he’d definitely taken a razor to his jaw. I’m telling you, we need to put all your manpower on this. Shelby is out there right now. Can you imagine what it’s like to be taken by a stranger? Tied up somewhere, cold and hungry? I can’t—”

“Lizzy,” he said, stopping her short.

He never called her Lizzy. She stared at him, unblinking, waiting. “What?”

“What I’m going to tell you is confidential. I’m only telling you this because I’m concerned for your well-being, afraid you’re going to drive yourself crazy going after a man who might not exist.”

She tried to protest, but he stopped her with a raised hand. “Less than twenty-four hours ago, a close friend of Shelby’s came forward with some pretty damning evidence.” He paused. “It seems Shelby had been seeing another boy. An older boy who’s not from around here.”

“That’s hard to believe, but even if it’s true . . . yeah, so?”

“There’s details I can’t discuss. We haven’t found the boy, but when we do, we hope to find Shelby, too.”

Lizzy rubbed her forehead. This was insanity. They didn’t know Shelby like she knew her. “She has a boyfriend of three years. That’s ridiculous.”

“Her parents are strict.”

Lizzy raised her hands in frustration. “What does that mean? They’re good people, great parents. They lay down the law, but I’ve never heard either one of them use a harsh tone toward their daughter. What does their parenting have to do with anything?”

“Shelby knew her parents wouldn’t approve, so she hid this new relationship from them.”

Lizzy came to her feet.

“There are emails Shelby sent to her friend that back up what the girl told us.”

“OK,” Lizzy said, “so if you think she ran off with this guy, why were there signs of a struggle in her car?”

“I didn’t say anything about Shelby running off with the guy.”