FIRE & BLOOD • EVAN 'BUCK' BUCKLEY / 9-1-1

17.

*16 hours since Stella's disappearance*

BUCK

My morning started off on a bad note. I received a phone call from Athena at 6 in the morning on the dot. A note was left off at the station with specific instructions for me not to be involved in the case whatsoever. Whoever took Stella does not want me to look into her disappearance. Who the hell do they think they are to tell me I can't look for my friend? But Athena was not having it this morning with me. She even had Bobby get on my case to stay out of it. They have forbade me from going to the station until this is over. I can't even do my own research because I know I'm constantly being watched.

It's important that Stella remains safe. I hate to sit back and not do anything but if me staying out of this means it'll keep her safe then I have to obey. For once in my life I need to listen and not act on my own.

"Fuck!" I throw my phone across the living room, my trembling hands brush through my hair. What the hell happens now?

A knock at my front door makes me freeze. My eyes narrow as I look towards the gray door of my apartment, running through the options in my head of who could possibly be standing on the other side. It can't be Maddie because she's already at work. Bobby is still at his place and it's only been ten minutes since I got off the phone with him; it takes him twenty minutes to get to my apartment. Eddie crosses my mind but I don't think he would be up yet on his day off. Unless Christopher managed to get him out of bed at this hour to do something adventurous.

Everything becomes still. There was no second knock just the one. I wrap my hand around the cold metal and twist the knob, slowly opening the door. The hallway is empty. I stick my head out and look to the left: no one. I look to the right: no one. But when I bring my eyes to the ground I find a cream envelope. For fucks sake. I close my eyes and exhale deeply and loudly. I lean my head against the door frame and bring my foot up, kicking the bottom in frustration. They were here outside my apartment. Athena would want to know about this but I decide I should open the note first before giving her a call. That is if my phone isn't trashed after the journey it just took across my living room.

I bend down and pick up the small envelope. Before closing my door I take one last look down the hall: to the left and to the right making sure no one is peeking around the corner to see if I've picked up their package. Not a soul in sight.

The envelope sits on my kitchen counter for several minutes while I stare at it. I run my index finger over my bottom lip as I continue to wonder what could be inside. Maybe it's clue to where Stella is. Nah, it wouldn't be that easy.

My fingers rip through the envelope and I pull out a folded piece of paper, there is something else inside. A photograph falls out and lands by my feet. I pause before going to pick it up. I swallow hard when I bring up the photograph. There she is... sitting on top of a pile of sheets. There is no trace of fear on her face. I examine the photo more carefully making sure I'm not missing anything. There are no bruises, no marks, no hint that she has been hurt and that gives me a wave of relief. I hold onto the photograph as I pick up the small white paper and unfold it. I take a minute before reading the small words written across the page in red ink:

Back off Buck. For her safety do not come looking for her. I've left you a nice photograph so you can remember her face if you fail to follow my orders.

All I ask is for one favor: one meeting between me and you. No cops. One conversation and if you give me the right answer, Stella will be free. If you agree to this meeting then meet me at Deerfield Beach. I will be waiting behind the condo complex tonight at 8. Don't do anything stupid or she dies.