At seven forty-five, Dwayne parked in front of the pub. He dashed through the drizzle, to the pub's entrance. He had gone home to shower and change and now sported a t-shirt and jeans.
The afternoon's inclement weather persisted, with news reports forecasting continued rain throughout the night. He ordered a cold beer and settled at a table towards the back.
Fifteen minutes later, when Richard arrived, Dwayne was already onto his third beer, idly toying with McKenzie's phone. With a beer in hand, Richard made his way towards him.
"So what information do you have?" Dwayne asked as Richard sat opposite him.
"You aren't wasting any time, huh," Richard smirked.
"Richard, she's been missing for over five hours, anything could've happened during that time," Dwayne reminded him.
"Fine, fine." Richard leaned in, "The guy's name is Alejandro "Red Skin" Mandera. He's named Red Skin because he's notorious for peeling the skin off his victims."
Dwayne's stomach flipped. "Ok, I got it, I got it. What else?"
"He's from Tampa, a drug and weapons dealer. He has connections all over the country and quite a few strong holds in Los Angeles. He's racked up a long list of people who have disappeared after crossing him on business deals. He's also been accused of human trafficking but the charges never stuck."
Dwayne whistled low. "How the fuck did Zee get herself mixed up with a guy like that?"
"We have no idea how they met but sources say McKenzie got married to him five years ago. We didn't find any divorce papers so we're going by the assumption that they're still married."
"Five long years with that sick son of a bitch," Dwayne's voice grew dark.
"There's more." Richard eyed Dwayne cautiously before he continued, "She was also a drug mule in his operation and she has been arrested a few times but always released."
"Fuck! But what happened to her after school? That's twelve years unaccounted for." Dwayne slammed his palms against the table frustratedly.
"You were keeping tabs on her?" Richard's eyebrows furrowed.
"No, I asked Stephanie if she knew who Jasmine's father was since she and Zee were close at one point. She said she didn't know but Zee went ghost after high school and then she just reappeared with Jasmine. I guess we know who Jasmine's father is now."
That sick motherfucker.
The promise that he made to McKenzie earlier that day still lingered in his mind. She knew she was in trouble. God! He wished he would've taken her somewhere safe.
"D, this guy is bad news." Richard looked around cautiously before he continued, "They've been trying to take him down for years. His pockets run real deep, he has judges and lawyers wrapped around his finger. About eight months ago McKenzie agreed to give Alejandro up for a state deal. The deal was that they'd let her go free once he'd been tried and charged."
"So, why isn't he in jail?" Dwayne asked, confused.
"They dropped the case six months ago because McKenzie refused to appear in court."
"That's around the time her mother was murdered." Dwayne's lips pressed into a thin line.
Richard's eyes widened. "Shit. Do you think it's related?"
"Hell, yes." Dwayne took another sip of his beer.
McKenzie felt as though it was her fault that her mother was dead, because her mother helped her. Was her mother the one who helped her get away from Alejandro?
It made sense why she wanted to make money quickly, and why she had her important documents in her handbag. She wanted to leave the country. She wanted to get away from Alejandro for good.
His throat felt dry. He felt as though this was a nightmare and he hoped he'd wake up soon. He knew McKenzie had her secrets but nothing in the world could've prepared him for this shit storm.
He wanted to help McKenzie, help her and Jasmine get out of the country and he'd go with them.
Do you think she'd want you with them?
Dwayne sighed. He'd need to find them first and go from there.
He pointed at the phone on the table. "I saw a call on her phone to a guy named Yellows. Have you ever heard the name before?"
Richard leaned back in his chair. "Yellows is Alejandro's right hand man. In my opinion, he's the brains behind Alejandro's success, while Alejandro is the fucking crazy psycho that fucks people up who dare to cross them."
It didn't make any sense.
"But, why would she call someone that's close to Alejandro? Wouldn't he rat her out?"
"Not if he owes her a favour and she's cashing in," Richard said in a matter of fact tone. "Or if they're in a secret relationship."
That wasn't something Dwayne wanted to think about right now. He had assumed McKenzie was single and had already begun planning how to win her back. It was a slap in the face to know that she was married, and now, picturing her with this Yellows guy as well was too much. Especially, since she called him and probably confided in him. Something Dwayne had hoped McKenzie would do with him.
Dwayne's jaw clenched. "Their passports are in her handbag as well. She can't leave the country."
"Not legally anyway. And if she called Yellows he could get her and Jasmine out of the country, undetected," Richard stated. He leaned forward and clasped his hands on the table in front of him. "Dwayne, I think that this is way over your head. Let the police do their job."
"I've dealt with my fair share of criminals." Dwayne's eyes darkened.
There was no way he was going to just sit around and wait when McKenzie and Jasmine were still out there.
"In the courtroom where you're safe. This…this is the real fucking world D, these mutherfuckers go for the jugular the first chance they get!"
"Do I look like I give a fuck?" Dwayne looked at Richard squarely in the eyes. "This is Jazzy and Zee we're talking about! How do we find them?" Dwayne tapped his fingertips angrily on the beer bottle.
"I think this is a bad idea." Richard lifted the beer bottle to his mouth and gulped the rest of it down.
"I don't care what you think," Dwayne said in a matter-of-fact tone. "There's a chance that they're still in the country. They can be found if we put the right people on the trail. We just have to be quicker than Alejandro and his thugs."
"Alejandro and his very dangerous thugs," Richard admitted.
"Come on, Richie, are you saying you don't know a few dangerous people?" Dwayne leaned back and watched Richard.
"I'm an officer of the law, an honoured detective. I put all those things behind me when I joined the force." Richard's face was blank.
Lightning flashed and thunder boomed causing some of the female patrons to shriek as the rain pounded against the roof of the bar.
Dwayne laughed mockingly, "Even God knows you're lying. If your ass was outside lightning would've struck you for sure!"
Richard chuckled before his face turned serious, "Dwayne, you're seriously going to risk your life for her? That girl has more baggage than Delta Airlines."
"Says the man who's shacked up with a woman who has three kids and three baby daddies?" Dwayne's eyebrows arched.
"How did you…" Richard asked with a confused look on his face.
"Stephanie." Dwayne smiled.
"Of course!" Richard rolled his eyes. "We don't need social media, we have Stephanie who tells everyone's business."
Dwayne laughed. "Yeah, so before you judge me make sure your hands are clean, bro."
"But Los Angeles has some fine-ass women with quiet, normal lives." Richard placed his elbows on the table and leaned in. "Are you sure she's the one worth fighting for?"
"She's the one," Dwayne said, determination in his voice.
A low whistle escaped from between Richard's lips. "Then, I'm behind you one hundred percent. I think you're crazy as fuck but I'm your friend, so I'll support you."
A small smile curved Dwayne's lips. "Good. So who do you know who can help us?"
"I know a few good men," Richard smirked.
Dwayne slapped the table. "I knew you still had it in you."
Suddenly, McKenzie's phone lit up and the name Yellows appeared on the screen. Richard and Dwayne shared a look before Dwayne answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Kitten is by the bus shed near Santa Monica Pier, Route One. They're in bad shape. I can't take them in this state; it's too risky. I'll wait close by until you come get them."
Fear knotted in Dwayne's stomach as the call dropped. He jumped to his feet and shoved the phone into his pocket.
"I know where she is."
Dwayne ran out of the pub, into the rain, Richard following close behind. They hopped into Dwayne's truck, with Dwayne behind the wheel, and sped away from the pub.
"So where is she?" Richard looked across at Dwayne, from the passenger seat, as Dwayne focused on the road.
"Santa Monica Pier, Route One, he said they're in bad shape." Dwayne honked his horn and shouted, "Drive your fucking car! Move!"
"Dwayne, we want to get there in one piece," Richard insisted as Dwayne swerved dangerously around cars at an alarming speed.
Dwayne knew that Richard was right, but what if Alejandro got wind of where they were? He needed to get there before he did.
Fifteen minutes later, Dwayne pulled up to the bus shed. Slouched was a woman and on top of her was a young child. There was no streetlight above making it difficult to identify if it was McKenzie and Jasmine.
"Do you think it's them?" Richard asked.
"I guess we'll find out."
Dwayne hopped out of the truck and into the howling rain and approached the bus shed.
"Zee?" Dwayne shook the woman's shoulder gently but got no response.
The woman's hair was black and short while the child wore a Lego boy's outfit. He lifted her head and his heart raced.
"Is it them?" Richard asked as he appeared beside Dwayne wiping the rain from his face.
"It's them! Grab Jazzy! I've got Zee!"
In one sweep, Richard scooped Jasmine into his arms and hustled back to the truck. One second after Richard placed Jasmine in the back seat, Dwayne hopped in next to her with McKenzie
"Richard, you're driving."
Richard ran to the driver's seat and jumped in, driving back in the direction they came.
"We have to take them to the hospital," Richard said worriedly as he glanced over his shoulder before refocusing on the road.
"Not after what happened today," Dwayne said through gritted teeth.
He cradled McKenzie on his lap. Her breathing was low and shallow.
"I know a safe place we could go," Dwayne said,
"Ok, give me the directions."
After Dwayne gave Richard directions he pulled out his phone from his pocket. He scrolled through his contacts until he found the name he wanted.
Olivia.
"Come on, pick up, pick up," Dwayne groaned anxiously.
On the third try a female voice snapped, "What do you want Dwayne? I thought you said you'd never speak to me again. How long has it been? Three years?"
"Olivia, it's Zee and her daughter, they need medical attention or they might not make it through the night." Dwayne's voice cracked.
He closed his eyes to prevent the tears from falling.
"Tell me where to meet you," Olivia's voice morphed from anger to concern.
"We're heading to the ranch."
"I'm on my way."