“No. Something is wrong! Eddie’s tracing her phone, but she’s supposed to be at her apartment, turning in her keys and whatever. I’m heading that way now.”
“Want me to meet you?”
“Yes.” I give him the address
.
“You got it, boss.”
I slow down to turn, curse at a red light, and then get moving again. Alina’s apartment isn’t all that far, but the more I think about her messages, the more panicked I become. I have no idea what’s going on with her, and I fear the worst.
A couple of minutes later, the phone rings.
It’s Alina.
“Where the fuck are you?” I scream into the phone.
“I’m just a couple of blocks from your place,” she says quietly.
Growling, I immediately turn around and start heading back in the other direction.
“Why didn’t you answer?”
“I didn’t want them to hear me!” I can tell she’s crying.
“Who?”
“Teto and some other guy. They were outside the apartment when I was leaving. I heard them, Evan. I heard them talking about you.”
“What guy?”
“I’ve never seen him before.”
“What are you doing up this way if you were at your apartment?” None of this is making sense.
“They were taking the bus. I think they are looking for you. I followed them.”
“You followed them?”
“I think they’re going to try to kill you, Evan!”
“Where are you exactly?” I try to breathe deeply and keep my voice calm.
“Just off of Lake, the Walgreens near Atrium Mall.”
“Stay there. I’m heading your way.”
My phone beeps with another call.
“Don’t you move!”
“I won’t.”
I switch calls, and Eddie-boy is on the other line.
“I got her near Lake and LaSalle.”
“I just heard from her, and I’m heading that way. Meet me there. Follow her signal.”