“Alex, honey, I know you’re upset, but I really need you to tell me everything you know.”
Doing his best not to panic, Garrett scribbled notes on the back of an envelope as she relayed what she knew.
“When she didn’t show up, I called her and then texted. I kept trying, but she wouldn’t respond to either one. So, I looked at the app. It showed her in a parking garage uptown.”
“Off of Caldwell,” he nodded.
“Yeah.” Alex sniffed. “How did you know?”
“When I called earlier, she was walking to her car.” But fuck, that was two hours ago. “Is the app still showing her there?”
“It is, but that’s because her phone’s still here.”
Here? “Alex, are you in the parking garage now?”
“Yes.”
“And Avery’s phone is there, but she’s not?”
“No.” He could hear her fighting through another round of tears. “I found her purse and keys on the ground near her car. Her phone was still in it, and her driver’s door was barely open. She’s not here, Garrett. I think…I think someone took her.”
Oh, God. I can’t lose her again.
Forcing himself to focus, Garrett said, “Alex, listen to me. I need you to hang up and call the police.”
“I already did. Right before I called you.”
“Good girl. I’m heading to you right now, okay? So just stay where you are, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Garrett, I’m scared.”
“I know, honey.” His heart felt like it was being ripped out of his chest. “I am, too.”
After telling her to text him with the actual address—there were several parking garages along that particular road—Garrett ran back to the conference room to fill Owens and the others in on what had happened.
“Avery’s been abducted.” He’d just blurted that shit out like it was nothing.
All eyes flew to his.
“What?” Apollo’s dark brows became furrowed.
“Again?” Bones sounded as shocked as he felt.
Even Digger joined in with a “What the hell?”
But it was Owens who kept a cool head. “What do we know?”
After quickly relaying everything Alex had told him, Garrett informed his boss he was heading to her last known location.
Without even asking, the team got up to join him. Owens gave them a nod with the order to keep him apprised of the situation.
“Anything you need, Falcon.” His boss gave him a somber look.
“Thanks.”
And with that, Garrett turned to leave, knowing his team and his boss had his back. As always.
Several traffic violations later, he and the others were pulling into the garage where Avery had been when they’d last spoken. The area near her car was blocked by several Charlotte PD cruisers, as well as an unmarked department-issued vehicle.