The police car hurtled through the city streets, sirens blaring and lights flashing. Jake sat in the passenger seat beside the cop who was driving, his heart pounding with every turn and swerve. The control team at headquarters worked feverishly to triangulate the exact location of the phone number that they traced from the number Lea was using.
Each passing second felt like an eternity as they inched closer to a breakthrough."How much longer?" Jake demanded, gripping the edge of his seat. His voice was strained, his patience was wearing thin. The officer glanced at him briefly, then focused back on the road. "They're working on it. These things take time."
"We don't have time!I thought I gave you enough window while having that conversation with Lea. " Jake snapped. " My child's life is on the line." But his phone rang right at that moment. " Jake, when was the last time you talked with Lea? " Mercy's frenzied voice can from the other side. " Why? Just now. It has been only a few seconds. Why? What happened? "
" I don't know. There are a few pictures going viral right now. I am forwarding them to your number. Just... stay calm alright? They might be a little disturbing. Don't over react. Get the officers on the hook. "
Static crackled through the police radio, followed by a voice from headquarters. "Unit 23, this is HQ. We've narrowed down the area, but the exact location is proving difficult. We're still working on it. But you can start heading west! "
Jake's hands shook as he scrolled through the images on his phone."What the hell!" he screamed almost dropping his phone. "Those sick bastards!" he growled through clenched teeth. "How could they do this to her?" And without warning, he dialled the number Lea had called him from. The officers tried to stop him but Lea instantly picked up. " Lea where are you? Are you safe? " He almost yelled without even bothering to say 'hello ' or anything else.
" Yes! I am. Why? " Lea asked puzzled. Then instantly, as if scared she changed the topic. " Jake, the shares. How much longer will it take ? " Jake understood the mistake he was making and immediately played along. " I have done the procedure. It's only a matte of time, Lea. Only a matter or time. " He emphasised.
Suddenly, the radio came to life again. "Unit 23..." Jake hurriedly disconnected, very tensed and unsure whether they were heard. He swore under his breath. " Damn! That wad close. "
"Unit 23 ,we've got a more precise location. Head to the old warehouse district, near the docks.Backup is en route."The officer acknowledged the message and pressed down harder on the gas pedal. "This isn't good enough. We need to find them now." The officer tightened his grip on the steering wheel, understanding Jake's frustration but trying to maintain composure. "We're doing everything we can. Just hold on.But what you did right now, was reckless." Jake thrust the pictures on his phone literally on the officers face. " That's my Lea, right there. Reckless huh? I don't care about recklessness. I need to get the two of them out of this mess. Safe. " The officer frowned at the pictures before quickly taking the phone from his hand and forwarding them to his team.
The car accelerated, weaving through traffic.Jake's mind raced along with the car.His thoughts a whirlwind.He didn't know whether to be scared or angry or intimidated. Took all his strength not to throw the officer out and drive himself. "What do we know about this area?" Jake asked, trying to focus on something tangible.
"It's a rundown part of town," the officer replied, eyes fixed on the road. "Abandoned warehouses, old factories, lines of motels, gangs, hubs of sex workers, drug dealers etc etc. You name it. You have it there. Not a place you'd want to be at night under normal circumstances."As they neared the docks, the industrial landscape grew more desolate. The streets were lined with decaying buildings, their windows broken and walls covered in graffiti.
The officer got a direct call this time as he put it on loud speak while driving. " We got an recept update. There was a reporting based on suspicion. A man looking like a drug dealer was out around a motel, looking for unprescdibed medicine for a child. We suspect that could be our bulls eyes. "
" Got it! " The officer took a sharp bend right after disconnecting. " Could they be hiding with my son in a motel? " Jake asked, prepared to jump out as soon as the car made a stop. "Possibly," the officer said, his tone grim. "But we won't know until we get there."The radio crackled again. "Unit 23, additional units are converging on your location. Proceed with caution."
The officer slowed the car as they approached the warehouse district. "Stay sharp," he advised Jake. "This could get dangerous.Both for yourself and your kid. Please don't make things difficult for us. Stay down when necessary."
Jake nodded but he knew otherwise.His jaw was set. "I'm ready."They turned a corner, and the old warehouses came into view, looming like silent sentinels in the night. The officer parked the car, and they both stepped out. There was a three storeyed motel just behind the warehouses. They sprinted, Jake taking the lead. The officer ran after him, trying to deter him but he was running like a maniac.
They burst into the motel as the officer showed his id card and Rosa's picture, asking if there was any check in with a child and if they saw that woman. The staff scurried with fear but one person came forward and said they had seen the woman with two men in the first floor but there was no child with them. Without waiting for any other confirmation Jake and the officer sprinted up the stairs.
They approached the door, and the officer signaled for Jake to stay back. Drawing his weapon, he tested the handle. It was unlocked. With a final glance at Jake, the officer pushed the door open and they slipped inside.