Page 77 of Chasing Creed

“Oh hell, no. I must have a dozen of them scattered around in pockets, in my car, my office. The way I lose glasses, I couldn’t afford prescription ones. Besides, I just need them for reading.”

Pakula’s phone vibrated, and he pulled it out of a different jacket pocket. A text message with a photo filled the screen. He set it in the middle of the table for Maggie to see. She didn’t need to pull it closer to recognize the woman in the mediocre driver’s license photo. It was Rachel Collins.

Christin was back at the table with the whiskey glasses, setting down napkins. She’d only glanced at the phone’s screen then did a double-take. Maggie saw the flash of recognition on the waitress’ face.

“Do you know her?” Maggie asked.

“She looks like someone who worked here. Is she okay?”

Pakula scooted his chair closer to the table and turned the phone around so that Christin could get a better look. “Do you know her?”

“Rachel. She was a waitress here for a while.”

“When did she stop working here?” Maggie asked.

Christin stopped to think. “Maybe last spring?”

“Has anyone come in looking for her since she left?” Pakula asked.

“Actually, there was a man just a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was odd because she hasn’t worked here for so long.”

“So, obviously, not a regular customer? Did he ask anything about her, or just if she was still working here?”

“I can’t remember. But I wouldn’t have told him anything. Is she okay?”

“We’re just trying to get in touch with her,” Pakula said. “Do you remember what the guy looked like?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary. To be honest, I was distracted by his tattoo.”

“His tattoo?” Pakula sat up.

“It was this elaborate, but kind of creepy snake or dragon. It looked like it was slithering down his arm. Its head poked out his shirt sleeve over his wrist.”

“Do you know why she left or where she went?”

Christin shook her head. “You could ask Deb or Max. One of them might know more.”

Maggie’s phone started ringing.

Pakula stood and gestured for her to get it. To Christin he said, “I’m not sure Max or Deb will remember me, you mind reintroducing us?” He followed her to the back.

Maggie expected Alonzo. She was surprised to see Ryder’s name as she answered.

“Hey, how are you?”

“Is this a good time to talk?”

“Yes. Did you and Grace make it back home?” Unless she had missed a text, she hadn’t heard from him since early morning when he said they were still on the road.

“We did. I’m hoping you can help me find out more information on the dead woman we found.”

“Woman? I thought you were looking for a missing man?”

“According to his mother, he was with a girlfriend. It was her body we found in a debris pile. Grace found the young man last night hiding in an old, abandoned vehicle in the woods. He’s alive but in critical condition.”

“Wow! That’s quite a twist.”

“The girlfriend may have been the actual target. Kyle’s mother thinks she may have been involved with drug dealers. She said that the woman told a fantastical story about how she had been kidnapped when she was a little girl and held captive for years. Right now, she was living in Starkville, Mississippi.”