Once I was logged in, it didn’t take me long to tap into the city’s traffic-camera system, being careful enough not to get caught but not so careful as to slow myself down.The number of options was overwhelming, but I went through the feeds methodically, choosing the ones closest to our house and working outward in a grid pattern, similar to what the cops were doingrightnow.
Where are you,Daddy?
Settling in, I finally felt less like I was going to throw up because I was doing something to help instead of wringing my hands and staring atthedoor.
We willfindyou.
28
Rhett
Two hoursafter I left Ari at Heath’s house, I was beginning to lose hope when no one had spotted him yet.I’d called in every favor I was owed, and checked in with all my old informants.It was full dark, and wandering the streets wasn’t safe for anyonerightnow.
And with the darkness, the chances of randomly spotting him went downdramatically.
My phone rang with a call from an old CI who worked security at the cemetery on FrenchmanStreet.
“Otis?You got somethingforme?”
“What was this dude wearing?Gray shirt and navy sweatpants?’Cause I just ran off some guys with my truck who were kicking the shit out of an old man in thecemetery.”
“Fuck.Yeah, that could be him.He okay?”I yanked my steering wheel in the other direction, headingforOtis.
“No, man.He looks like he got the shit kicked out of him.You want me to call 911?I’m on the northeast corner.Remember the place those punks tagged my tombs?Closetothat.”
“Yes.Fuck.Call 911.I’ll be there in twominutes.”
For a moment, I debated whether to call Ari, but I wanted to be sure first.If it wasn’t her dad, I didn’t want her hopes up.I’d know if it was the right decision soonenough.
I turned two more corners, and finally my headlights cut across the gray tombs of the cemetery.A flashlight beam waved intheair.
Otis.
I bolted out of the Jeep and ran toward him, not bothering to turn off the car or shut the door behind me.When I skidded to a stop next to the dark human-shaped lump on the ground, Otis was still on the phone with 911, giving them thesituation.
I snatched the flashlight out of Otis’s hand and flashed it over the man’s face.It was smeared with blood, but there was no doubt it wasAri’sdad.
Thankfuck.
I dropped to my knees at his side.“Mr.Sampson.This is Rhett Hennessy.I’m here to get you help.Okay,sir?”
He tried to roll to his side, but groanedinstead.
“Mr.Sampson.Stay with me.We’re getting help.Can youhearme?”
His glasses were smashed and both eyes were swelling shut.Otis hadn’t exaggerated in the slightest.If anything, he’d understated thesituation.
JesusChrist.
I checked for immediate life-threatening injuries, my first-responder training coming back quickly.One of his legs was bent funny.Shit.Shit.Shit.
“Heath?”His voice shook, but the fact that he was talking was a good sign inmybook.
“No, sir.Rhett.We had lunch togetheryesterday.”
“You broke my window with abaseball.”
“Yes, sir.That was me.I’m really sorry about that.Can you tell where elseyou’rehurt?”