Dishonorable Conduct

Chapter Thirteen

No matter what, always keep your guard up. Even if someone you know approaches you, don't let it down. Got it?

* * *

Rosa woke up, remembering her brother's warning. She sat in the dark, damp place she'd been brought to. The last thing she remembered was walking to Katherine's house, then something being placed over her mouth and nose.

Latrelle's gonna kill me, she thought. He told me to be careful when I was alone, but I didn't listen.

Ever since that threat arrived at their house, Latrelle had been edgey and didn't overlook anything in the case. Rosa, however, just thought it was an empty threat, but she'd been proven wrong.

How long have I been here? Are Mom and Dad out looking for me? Is Latrelle close to solving the case? All these questions ran rampant in her mind, keeping her awake.

* * *

"Where's Rosa?" Latrelle asked Tina.

"She said she was going out with a friend," she replied. She then looked up from the dishes. "But that was hours ago."

Latrelle, fearing the worst, dialed Katherine, Rosa's friend. On the fourth ring, Katherine answered with a curt 'hello'.

"Is Rosa with you?" he asked.

"No, why? Is she in trouble?" she replied. Latrelle hung up and turned to his mom.

"She never got to Katherine's house," he said quickly, grabbing his keys and rushed to his car. It wasn't ten minutes later he was standing in the Friar's living room, talking with Harold.

"So she said she was going to a friends and never got there?" he asked. He scribbled everything Latrelle said on a small notepad.

"Yeah. What do you think could've happened to her?" Latrelle asked. Harold finished writing and looked at him.

"My guess is that you three disobeyed my orders and were still looking into the case, even after you got that death threat," he said. "And the murderer found out and took your sister to tell you he'll make good on his threat."

Latrelle almost had a heart attack. Because he and Kevin had kept pursuing the case, Rosa disappeared, and who knows when she'll be seen again, dead or alive. He stood up quickly and grabbed Harold's notepad, scribbling some instructions.

"Give this to Kevin," he said before exiting the house.

I've gotta find her and apologize. It's my fault she was taken in the first place. Determination shone in his eyes as he drove to Richard's house.