us the coordinates to the specific tower the call pinged on? At least we could try narrowing it down to a smaller area and search any convenience stores or mom and pop type places. Maybe she’s found a job at one of those shops that’ll pay her under the table. She has to be doing something; surely, she’d have blown through the few thousand she took when she initially left.”
“Already done, honey. That’s why Richardson has you checked into that specific hotel, and you’ve been searching around it. She was right by you and the team at some point. I have Jenkins monitoring her voicemail log daily this week. If she calls in, we’ll know, and Jenkins will notify Richardson immediately.”
“I’ve never brought it up, and I hate to now, but what if we don’t find her this time?”
“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 na?ve 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