Chasing Astrid Malone

30. WHO DONE IT

Tristan

I finished texting Astrid and I only have a couple of hours to get ready. I didn't stay at her house after she left for work, it felt weird being there by myself. I pulled my black dress pants and a white button-up shirt out of my closet. Then frantically started cleaning up my room. I want to impress her, not give her a glimpse into the cons of being with me long term.

This Is my dream girl. Stunning and completely oblivious to it. She's smart, and funny when she puts aside the shy nervous side. She's naive and innocent, although I've stolen some of that already. She's caring, almost to a fault. I want to protect her from the people in this world who would take advantage of her, and make it my mission to make her happy.

I'll never forget laying my eyes on her for the first time, her annoyance with me was so evident. I couldn't help myself, I knew right then and there she was everything I never knew I wanted. Every moment I've spent getting to know her has solidified that thought. To be honest I've never had a serious relationship. I've dated a few snobby rich girls and a couple who were pretty normal, but never once did I feel the way I did at that moment I saw Astrid the first time.

After a quick shower, I called in a favor from my dad's friend, who owns an upscale restaurant not too far away. Dressed and looking my best, I watched the clock. I wasn't going to leave this early but I'd rather wait for her in the parking lot than stand here even one more minute. I stopped at a store and picked out some flowers. Hopefully, she doesn't think it's tacky. I don't know anything about flowers but these were big white ones and beautiful just like her.

Tonight is my chance to get to know her better, even all the stupid little things like favorite colors and animals can tell you a lot about someone. I need to keep myself in check tonight, no sex. When I'm with her I can't seem to be close enough, my body desperate to push further every time. I won't ruin this by pushing too hard too fast.

I was getting close to the shop when I saw flashing blue and red lights ahead, coming from the parking lot. Something must have happened. So consumed with worry, I blew right through the red light. Luckily no other cars were on the road. I pulled into the parking lot, jumping out of the car and running up to the cops.

"What happened? Where's Astrid?" He put his hands up, blocking me from getting any closer. "My girlfriend is working in there, is she ok?"

"What's your girlfriend's name?" He doesn't come off like he's asking to confirm, more like he has no idea who she is. I frantically looked past him while I answered.

"Astrid Malone, her family owns this shop and I'm supposed to pick her up at 8." He wrote her name down on a pad of paper and proceeded to ask me more questions. her phone number, her address, her family members' names, and then he asked if I knew of anyone who would want to hurt her. That's when the last of my composure disappeared, and I pushed past the cop running into the store.

I hardly noticed the other cops yelling at me and trying to drag me out, my attention was on the mess in the store. I didn't see her in there but it looks like whatever happened, she put up a fight. The cops pulled me out and explained all they knew so far.

"We got an anonymous call from someone who tried to come in last minute and found the place like this. No one was here, and the store doesn't have video surveillance." I dialed her number and it rang until the voicemail picked up.

"Her mother's name is Audrey Malone, she at the hospital with her son Joshua Malone." He reached out to the dispatcher telling them to send someone to the hospital to find Audrey Malone. "I know it's hard, Son, but all you can do right now is go home and keep your phone on. If she calls or if you think of anything that might help, give us a call."

He's got to be joking. Go home? He handed me a card with a number to call with information and pointed me to my vehicle. I got in but didn't go anywhere, I called the person I always call when I don't know what to do, my Dad. He picked up and I started yelling into the phone everything I could think to tell him.

"Slow down Tristan, you're not making any sense." I started again by telling him Astrid was my girlfriend and went through our plans for tonight and then got to what happened when I showed up. My dad asked me if she had any enemies that I knew of and I said no, but remembered the drunk girl at the party. If only I could remember her name.

"I'll call my buddy that works for the police department and see what he can do. I'll call you back once I've spoken to him until then don't do anything stupid. Keep your phone on and wait for my call." He hung up and I was no closer to a plan.

I don't have Brenda's number I don't have anyone's number that could help. Even that Cam ass-whole would be able to tell me her name. The only way I could find out fast is by going to the house I picked her up at that night, and asking whoever lives there if they knew who she was. I put the car in reverse and headed in that direction.

When I got to the street, I knew which house it was right away. There had been cars and people all over the place that night. I pulled up and saw Cam's truck, but no other vehicles. Great, it turns out I will have to ask for help from the last person I would have chosen.

I knocked at the door and waited. I didn't hear anything for a while, it's possible he left his truck here and left with someone. I was about to turn and leave when I heard a door slam from inside so I knocked again. Whoever it was wasn't coming to the door, but I had no other lead to follow after this so I wasn't giving up.

I pulled out my phone and decided to try Astrid's number again. As soon as it rang I heard another phone ring from inside the house. My heart hammered in my chest. I heard someone swearing inside and the call cut short going to voicemail. I tried it again and it went straight to voicemail. I couldn't think straight anymore, I wanted to bang on the door but there was no way id be able to break it down. If he has her cell phone, he could have her tied up in the basement. If he did take her against her will he's not going to let me in, my only hope is that he didn't hear me knocking and won't know I'm here.

I ducked down below the windows and tried to peek in through the shades. I couldn't see much aside from a figure pacing back and forth. Sneaking around to the side of the house, I looked through another window. It was Cameron. He was pacing the floor and talking to himself, but I couldn't hear what he was saying.

My brain switched back on, and I started thinking I could be wrong. Maybe it was a coincidence that his phone rang as I tried calling Astrid. From what I could see inside, he's alone and there's no sign of struggle like there was in the store. Great now I'm just some creep staring in someone's windows.

Bending down below the windows, I made my way back to the front of the house. If I'm wrong, and I probably am, I can still knock again and ask him for help. I hesitated a moment and just listened at the door.

"DUDE, I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT YOUR DOING COME HOME NOW... I CANT TELL YOU OVER THE PHONE, BUT ITS BAD... I NEED YOUR HELP, I HAVE NO ONE ELSE I CAN TRUST... ALRIGHT JUST HURRY UP."

He called someone for help. I should have trusted my instincts before. She could be in there. I heard a door slam from inside the house again, then quiet. I tried turning the doorknob but it was locked.

My phone rang loud in my pocket, I silenced it quickly and ran back to my car. Josh called. He didn't even remember me today so It must be Mrs. Malone. I called back and she answered on the first ring.

"Tristan! Where are you? Have you heard from Astrid? The police have no idea where she is..." She was sobbing and I couldn't make out the rest of what she said. "Are the police still there? Tell them to look into Cameron Beck, he might have something to do with this. He's obsessed with her, and he could have found out she's dating me."

While she relayed that information I sent a text with the address and a picture of his truck in the driveway. I got in the car and kept the lights off as I drove my car a bit further away from the house, not wanting to be spotted. If there's a chance he has her in there I'm not leaving. Turning my car on I sat and waited for the police to show up.

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Poor Astrid, she can't catch a break! Please comment and let me know what you think happened since we last saw Astrid. Sorry for the delay I've been caught up in reading other peoples stories. This was also a hard one for me to write.