Prisoner's Prisoner

Chapter 17

David seldom take alcohol. But this time, he would like to drink as much as he can to forget everything that had happened since he met Tara. If only he knew at least what her true name was. If only he could just ignore her screams and calls for help. She was so young. And that melt his heart more.

David wanted to cry. He felt so helpless.

He asked for more glasses but the bartender refused. He groggily went out of the restobar and got into his car and cried out of frustration. He fell asleep.

David was awakened by the bright sunlight coming in his car. His eyes squinting. His head aching. He checked his watch. It was about eight o'clock in the morning. His stomach in turmoil. He immediately ran back to the restobar. It was so early. But the barkeeper was already there, cleaning the floor. He was recognized by the barkeeper and greeted him. He ran for the comfort room and threw up everything in his stomach.

It took him a few minutes to recover from the faint feeling. He stayed standing there in front of the wash room's mirror, staring on his face. He washed his face with cold water. He stayed there a little longer until he felt he could walk straight already.

He started walking out of the bar. There were no customers yet. David noticed the painting of a little girl.

He went near it. He wondered why Tara was affected so much by it. He asked the barkeeper.

"Do you know where this came from?"

"No idea...that's been there for a year or so."

"Oh, I did not notice. Just now." David checked the painting for any writings. "Mind if I take it off?"

The barkeeper chuckled. "I guess not, as long as you put it back on."

David gently took the painting off the wall. He checked the back of it. There was a signature and date. Maybe the date when the painting was finished. It was written in cursive except for the date, it says: sarahg 08/15/2014.

He called the barkeeper. He pointed to the handwriting. "What do you think is this?"

The barkeeper stared. "Uhm..maybe the name of the painter?"

David's heart skip a beat. "How do you read this?"

"I think it's Sarah G. Maybe her last name starts with a letter G?"

"You think so?" That was what he was thinking as well. Sounds like Tara.

The barkeeper nodded. David hurriedly went out of the bar and got in his car. The barkeeper scratched his head for David left the painting at the table. He drove back to the police station as fast as he can.

It maybe a shot in the dark but he need to try. He turned his PC back on and tried searching for images on the search engine. He typed Sarah artist. He expected there would be a lot that will appear.

His heartbeat ran faster. He scanned the pages up until he saw what he was looking for. There it was. A happy face of Tara against what seems to be an abstract painting.  She was an artist. A painter. The image came from a social media account. He searched the account further. It was public. That meant any person can have access to it.

David was with mixed emotions. He checked the pictures posted on the account. The cover photo was a group photo of five persons with Tara in the middle and was the only female. They stood against a big towing truck. They were all dressed in white shirt and greasy faded jeans. All their hands were folded on their chests. All proud and smiling. Tara, rather, Sarah was so beautiful and sexy with her white hanging t-shirt and oversized jeans. He wondered who the other persons were.

He checked for possible addresses. He only saw Mountain Rocks, Texas. It will now be easier for him. At least he knew now what Tara's real name was. It was Sarah, Sarah Green. Looking at the pictures, looked like she worked for an automotive shop. The name was S&S Auto Shop. He checked the address. The last update on her account was October 2015.

He gathered every information he had. Printed out everything he needed.  He will be going to Texas. He just hoped he was not yet late.

He was about to start his car when he remember something. He still wondered what the men were looking for in his house. He dialled Ryan's number. Talked on his cellphone for a minute and drove away.