Chapter 14 - Hannah Disappears
Back at headquarters, Hannah Pierce finished giving her formal statement.
She signed each page carefully.
"I've told you everything I know."
Detective Ortega nodded.
"For now, you're an important witness."
Officer Hale arranged temporary police protection until the investigation progressed further.
A patrol officer escorted Hannah to the parking garage.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
The officer never returned.
Hale's radio suddenly crackled.
"Unit Seven! Respond to Level Two garage immediately!"
Every detective nearby ran.
Rachel remained behind the security door, her heart racing.
When Hale reached the garage, he found Hannah's folder scattered across the concrete floor.
Her handbag lay beside an open car door.
The patrol officer who had escorted her was unconscious, a small cut visible near his temple.
"Hannah!" Hale shouted.
No answer.
Officer Brooks checked the injured patrol officer.
"He's alive."
"What happened?"
The officer slowly regained consciousness.
"There was..."
He winced in pain.
"...a white delivery van."
"Did you see who was driving?"
"No."
"What about Hannah?"
"They grabbed her."
Detective Ortega examined the ground.
Fresh tire marks curved sharply toward the exit ramp.
A single broken bracelet clasp glittered beneath the overhead lights.
She picked it up with gloved hands.
"This isn't Hannah's."
Hale looked closer.
Attached to the broken clasp was a tiny silver charm engraved with two letters.
S.M.
Steven Marshall.
Before anyone could process the discovery, Hale's phone vibrated with an incoming message from an unknown number.
There was no text.
Only a photograph.
It showed Hannah Pierce sitting in a chair inside an unfamiliar room.
Her hands were tied.
A newspaper dated that morning rested on her lap.
May you like
Beneath the image appeared a single sentence.
Stop investigating... or the next witness will never be found alive.
