Family Ties [Sequel to She Belongs To Me]

Cat and Mouse

A Few Minutes Earlier:

Amy Frost finished her cigarette as she pulled into the parking lot of the crowded mall.  She was to meet her friend, Officer Vanessa Archer, at the Rainforest Cafe so they could have a nice lunch while going over the Vincent Graves case. Frost knew that Archer was still a little apprehensive about searching for a dangerous criminal behind her captain's back, so she wanted to show her appreciation by giving her full disclosure over everything Graves had done in his sordid past with Emily. It would be a lot for the rookie cop to process, but once she realized what kind of sicko they were dealing she would have no problem with risking her job to bring him to justice.

Amy stepped out of her blue mustang and made her way into the mall. There were hundreds of people inside shopping and spending time with their loved ones. The officer found herself becoming envious. She had poured so much of herself into her career that she didn't have time to think about simple things like buying a new blouse or getting a pedicure with a friend. She was too busy trying to bring freaks like Vincent Graves to justice so that normal people could enjoy their lives.

Amy smiled at the crowd before making her way to the Rainforest Cafe.  She was greeted by a young man wearing a parrot shaped hat on his head.  "Good afternoon!  How many in your party?"

"Just two."

"Great!  I'll need about five minutes to get your table ready, but feel free to check out our gift shop while you wait."

"Okay, thanks."

She headed into the small gift shop and pulled her cellphone out to call Archer. She pressed the phone to her ear and turned around to look out at the dining area to see if her table was being prepared. That's when she saw the familiar face of a little girl staring at her with desperation. It was Cora Reed, Emily's daughter who had been kidnapped a few days from her home by the very madman she was searching for. She couldn't believe her eyes!

Amy nodded her head at the child to let her know that she had seen her, then turned her attention to the man sitting with her. She couldn't see his face, but she knew it had to be Graves.

He was right within her grasp!

He must have noticed that Cora was staring behind him because he started to turn around. Amy swiftly turned her gaze to a stuffed bear and pretended that she had not noticed him.

Graves was a dangerous man and she knew better than to confront him where there were so many people. Cora would be safe as long as he believed that Amy had not seen him, and when they were far enough away from everyone she could make her move on him.

"What are you looking at?" Someone asked from behind her, tapping her shoulder and making her jump. She turned around to see Archer standing there with a grin.

Amy smiled and grabbed her friend for a tight embrace. She knew Graves would be watching and wanted it to look like she was just meeting a good friend for lunch. Archer tensed at the sudden contact by her normally reserved friend until she whispered into her ear. "Don't look now but our suspect is right in the middle of lunch."

"You mean Graves?" Archer whispered, "He's here?"

Amy pulled away and clasped her shoulders, keeping the exaggerated smile on her face.  "In the flesh.  He must have decided to take his girl out for a nice day of shopping."