“Alice,” he rumbles, his voice strong and steady as always. “She’s done this time and again. You know as well as I do, you’ll find her.”
“I’m just growing more anxious by the day that when I do, she’ll be in a morgue somewhere. She’s not prepared for the regular world, Dad. Madison is naïve and always manages to find trouble somehow.”
“It’s okay to be scared for her, sweetheart. You’re the stronger one; you remind me of myself. I worry for her as well, but we’re doing everything we can. Stay the course, Alice.”
“Not everything; we could bring in the news and ask for their help.”
He scoffs. “Please, Alice, the media would have a field day with this. It’s too close to my campaign. We can’t have a scandal of any kind.”
“I know. Forget I mentioned it. I’ve got to go, Dad. I’m going to get something to eat with Richardson and double-check a few places the team stopped in when we first got to town.”
“Keep up the good work, honey. We’ll have a party when you get home if you’d like. You’ve earned it.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I can’t think of parties or celebrations right now when my sister could be in danger and not realize it. If I have threats against me, then I’m sure they go for her as well. I’m surrounded by three trained men to protect me. She has no one. “I’ll call you soon. Love you.”
“Thanks, honey. Love you too,” he replies and hangs up.
I immediately jump up and head over to the TV. I knock on the wall, signaling next door to Richardson that I’m ready. It takes him less than a minute, and I hear the click from him inserting my keycard in the lock.
“Alice?” he greets.
“Hey, I’m done. Let’s get some food, and I want to check out those bars you guys went to when we first got into town.”
He nods. I know he heard my conversation. I have an audio and GPS earring I wear so he can always hear me, no matter where I am. I remove it to shower, but it’s for my protection, so I keep it on at all other times. He casts his eyes over me quickly and turns to leave. I can’t help but wonder what he thinks of the red dress I chose for the occasion. I wear jeans and plain shirts paired with ball caps most days to keep me plain on the road and under the media’s nose. When we go out, like today, I dress the part. Rather than looking like the usual townie or tourist, we appear to be on a date, eating and going for a drink. I need to find Madison without raising too many flags. I don’t want her to end up on page six or alert any bad people of her presence.
I grab my Chanel clutch that has my card, Madison’s photo, a fake ID, and fifty dollars. I keep it simple, so if I ever get robbed, I don’t seem like anyone important. I’d be worth at least a couple million dollars if anyone ever wanted to kidnap me and hold me for ransom. That goes for Madison as well. I quickly touch up my Mac matte rouge lipstick on the way out, tossing the tube in my clutch as well and meet Richardson in the hall.
“All clear,” he reassures, and I flash a grateful smile. “What would you like to eat?
My shoulders lift in a noncommittal shrug. “Surprise me with something along the way to this bar.”
“It’s a strip club, ma’am.”
“I know. It just sounds more pleasant being called a club or bar. Besides, my father would lose it if he knew she usually ends up in strip clubs dancing. I was floored the first time we found her like that, and I’m sure he’d have a heart attack thinking of his baby girl in that position.”
“Of course. You have my team’s silence.”
“Thank you. I know I can count on you guys. You three certainly make all this searching more bearable.”
He grins and opens my door. I slide into the comfortable seat of the luxury sedan that’s become a home away from home for me. I buckle up and fix my dress as he rounds the car and hops in behind the wheel. I watch the scenery as he drives in the direction of the airport. The strip club’s not exactly close to the airport; it’s just on the way. Flipping on the blinker, he turns into the fast-food chicken place I’ve come to love. “Fil-A again? Drive-thru?”
“You’re a keeper, Richardson. Drive-thru chicken is the best fake dinner date ever.”
He laughs at my sarcasm. “I know you’d rather be looking for Madison than at a nice, sit-down dinner. I like this place too.”
“See, this is why we get along so well. You know what I like and don’t try to push places on me like my father would. He and my mother would be chiding me about unhealthy calories and being in the spotlight, while you tell me to order extra waffle fries.”
“You’re an adult and swim too much to be unhealthy.”
I nod, completely agreeing. He orders my favorite sandwich, large ice water, extra fries, and a parfait for me then gets a cobb salad and extra chicken for himself. We pull through the drive-thru and then eat once we get in the parking lot of the strip club. BJ’s Dollhouse flashes at us as we eat like it’s the best thing we’ve had in days. That isn’t the case, though. Richardson has been spoiling me every few days with Fil-A, so I’ve been eating well this entire trip.
He takes the lead, coming around to my door. I get out and stick close to his side. It’s dark, and protocol is that I have more than one guard with me in the evenings. We’re breaking that by giving the others a much-needed night off. The bouncer checks our ID’s at the door and charges Richardson a fifteen-dollar cover charge. The bouncer reassures me that I get in for free since I’m a good-looking woman. I snort but refrain from rolling my eyes like I want to. I’m sure some women are flattered by the bouncer’s words, but I take it at face value. More women in the place means more men, paying their cover charge and the dancers. It’s not rocket science.
“Drink?” Richardson suggests as we find an empty table. The bar doesn’t have many people here tonight. There are a few lonely guys scattered throughout with one other table occupied. The three guys sitting there jovially laughing and drinking are wearing leather jackets showing a creepy looking skull wearing a crown in the middle.
“Not yet. You sit here, and when the server comes over, ask about Madison, please. Maybe if they have any new strippers scheduled to dance, too. You know the drill.”
“Okay, I can do that.”
“I’m going to walk over to the bar and scan the liquor bottles to see what they have. I’ll pass by that table over there, and if any of them speak to me, I’ll ask about my sister.”
“I don’t like the idea of you going over there by yourself. They look like dangerous criminals, and your father would have my job. We’re already going outside our regular procedure.”
“This isn’t our first recon, Richardson. You know that table would be more receptive if I walk by versus you asking them for information. We have to step outside our box to find my sister. Nothing has worked so far. My gut tells me that they may know something. I don’t know why I get that feeling, but I have to go on it.”
His lips part as he exhales, looking uncomfortable. “Fine, but if anything goes south, you know what to do.”
I concur. “Head for the bathroom and stay there until you’ve neutralized the threat. Call for backup. Never put myself in harm’s way, especially when you’re neutralizing the possible threat.”