“Peoria?” I pulled the phone away from my ear again and looked at the screen. “Wait, what is this about?”
He’s not calling about the jewelry store—if they knew about the robbery, they would be breaking down my door instead of calling me.
“We got your number off of her phone. Mr. Vincent—what is your last name, anyway?” The Detective’s voice paused.
This is just a burner phone I picked up at the grocery store—they don’t even know who I am.
“Vincent will do.” I sat down on the edge of the bed. “Did something happen to Peoria?”
“I’d rather talk about this in person.” His voice started to get a little angry.
“I’d rather you tell me what the fuck is going on.” My tone matched his. “Did something happen to her?”
“She’s been kidnapped, along with her friend, Fiona Marquette.” The anger in his voice subsided slightly. “Look, I’d like to talk to you. We have her phone, we’ve read your text messages. It sounds like you two are an item?”
Something like that.
“Which police station?” I didn’t bother answering his question.
“The one on Forty-First.” I was already dressing as he told me where to go.
“I’ll be right there.” I slid my finger across my screen and reached for a shirt.
“I ’M VINCENT.” I EXTENDED my hand to Detective Rogers as he walked over and introduced himself.
“Let’s go back here and talk.” He motioned to one of the interrogation rooms.
“I’m not under arrest, am I? I’m not going in there unless I am. We can talk right here.” Just staring at the interrogation room gave me a bit of anxiety.
“No, you’re not under arrest. You’re not a suspect.” He shook his head quickly. “We know who took her.”
“Who?” I stepped closer and locked eyes with the detective.
“She got grabbed in the middle of a busy street by two guys in a black van. There’s only one man in Las Vegas brave enough to do that—and it sounds like a whole lot of other kidnapping reports sitting on my desk.” He sighed angrily.
Oh my god.
“Lawson King?” My knees went weak just saying his name. Lawson King was a Mob boss—the last of his kind in Las Vegas.
“Yes sir.” Detective Rogers nodded with a grimace. “He’s been pretty active in the last twenty-four hours. The word on the street is that someone hit one of his jewelry stores and he’s been picking up everyone who might know anything—not good for them. I just have no idea why he would kidnap a couple of tourists.”
Floyd, you son of a bitch.
“I have to go.” I turned away from the detective and started walking towards the exit.
“Mr. Vincent—wait.” Detective Rogers closed the distance between us and grabbed me by the arm. “Look, if you know something, please talk to me.”
“I don’t know anything that can help you.” I pulled away from him and walked out of the police station.
“F LOYD, WHAT THE FUCK !” I hit his door hard enough to send it crashing into him and break the flimsy chain. I followed it with a punch that landed on his jaw and sent him spinning backwards towards the floor.
“Vincent! Stop! What the hell, man?” He held his jaw as he looked up at my from the floor.
“That jewelry store was owned by Lawson King! You fucking idiot!” My blood was boiling to the point I could hear my pulse beating in my ears.
“Oh shit...” His eyes opened wide. The man who rarely showed emotion was absolutely terrified. “We have to get out of town.”
“It’s too late for that. He took her.” My jaw clenched and I exhaled angrily. “We have to give him the jewelry back and beg him not to kill her.”