I NEED A HERO (𝓒𝓞𝓜𝓟𝓛𝓔𝓣𝓔)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

A thunderstorm was gathering. The low rumble was barely noticeable inside, but it was moving toward Om Basset.

It was half past eleven when Orr stepped from the shower. He dried off most of the moisture and tossed the towel over the hook. Stepping into the drying tube, he let the warm air dry his hair. As he stepped out, his home comm signaled a call from Tau.

"Answer," he called. Before he could say more Tau's agitated voice came through.

"Nemera didn't call me," he said. "Even if she stopped somewhere on the way, she should have been home by now. I called her apartment and her comm and got no answer, so I got hold of security. The trackers show her car and comm are stationary just passed Avendal and Sixth."

"Shit." Orr grabbed for his clothes. "This is not good. Something spooked her enough for her to activate her car tracker." He shoved his legs into his jeans. "OK, OK. Have they sent a car to investigate?"

"Yeah," said Tau. "They should be there any time."

"Good." He pulled on his shirt. "Grab your gear and meet me in the garage."

"Gotcha." Tau closed the channel.

Being called out at all hours for SWAT stood Orr in good stead. He put on his socks and boots and in moments was headed for the elevator. As he rode the car down, he checked his thoughts with difficulty, not allowing his brain to spin out horrifying possibilities. Nemera was a pro, a good cop and a savvy cop. She would find a way to get through whatever had happened. When the door opened Tau Zuberi was already there waiting, leaning against a post. Orr could feel the tension coming off the Roki in waves.

"They found her car, sideways up against a stolen truck," said Tau as Orr approached. "It looks like she slid to avoid a collision. There's signs that she was boxed in. The driver's door is open, her comm and weapon are in the car. Crime Scene is there now, and they'll call with any more info."

"Good deal." Orr ran a quick security scan on his car and to his relief found nothing. "You're thinking it was Rakshasa?" he asked and Tau nodded.

"It has to be," said the Roki. "It's too well thought out and executed for some street punk. They picked a blind spot for the stop, but a camera caught a screened limo leaving the area at the right time. The only plus is that there's no blood or sign of struggle, so it looks like a kidnapping."

"Right," said Orr, unlocking his car. They got in and the doors closed with simultaneous thuds. "So do they have a line on the other tracker?"

"The alternating frequency tracker was going North on Fairlane, but the signal broke, probably from a tunnel. They're rescanning now to pick it back up," said Tau as Orr started the car and maneuvered out of the parking space.

"North, huh?" Orr pulled out into nighttime traffic, heading for Fairlane Street. "Wasn't one of our possible locations up north?"

"Yeah, it was." Tau thought for a moment. "The latest one, the property that's in foreclosure. It's an enclosed remote hillside mansion with spacious grounds and a private beach. The location is Crestview drive, Addington sub-division."

"So," said Orr, "do we head for Fairlane or cut across to Addington and save ten minutes?"

"I'll put my money on Addington," said Tau. His comm trilled, signaling an incoming text. Tau's ear flicked back as he read.

"What?" asked Orr sharply.

"They found traces of Kelaform on her car door," Tau replied, baring his teeth. "That's an anaesthetic, right?"