Teased(66)

“I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait for now,” Colton replied.

Wait. That was all she had been doing the last few weeks. She was getting sick of it.

Vida’s mind went back over that day that Callie was almost hit by the car, trying to figure out what she’d missed. It was impossible; it had been too long ago for her to remember the details of that day perfectly enough. The only way to find out was to find Sawyer. She was the only possibility of figuring out how King was involved in this mess. They had to find Sawyer, she was the answer.

***

Vida volunteered to get coffee across the street while Colton opened the shop.

“Don’t be long.”

“I won’t.” Vida crossed the street.

The coffee shop was busy with the line out the door. She was about to turn away, not wanting to worry Colton, when she heard the sound of a car slamming on their brakes. A car double-parked, not noticing the other cars =blowing horns behind it because of being cut off. The drivers behind the parked car began driving around the double-parked one.

Wondering what the hurry was for a cup of coffee, Vida recognized the woman getting out of the car and waving at her.

“Vida, come here!” Ashley yelled when Vida didn’t move toward her.

“What are you doing? That car almost hit you,” Vida said, noticing the woman wasn’t wearing make-up and looked scared to death.

“Get in. I need to talk to you,” Ashley said, getting back inside her car. Vida hesitated, but got inside the car. The woman looked too frightened for Vida to ignore.

“What’s wrong?” Vida asked as soon as she was in the car.

“King’s disappeared.”

“I know. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him.”

“He disappeared after that stunt we pulled with Briggs.”

“That same night?”

“He was furious when I came downstairs and told him what Briggs told me. He took off, and no one’s seen him since. I heard about Briggs getting arrested and Digger getting away. I may not be the smartest cookie in the pack, but I’m smart enough to get my ass out of town, and you should, too. I don’t plan on ending up like those poor women in that basement. I can’t be a sex slave. I don’t even like sex with men. I like women more than men.” The woman was giving more information than Vida wanted or needed.

“Slow down, Ashley. Tell me what Briggs told you.”

“After you left, he drank some more. I couldn’t understand half of what he was talking about, but then he started talking about a chick named Sawyer. Sherri told me the only reason you were stripping was to help your friend Sawyer. I didn’t figure there were two women named Sawyer, so I knew he was talking about your friend.”

“What did he say?” Vida tried to keep her on track.

“He just said a name over and over. Said King would never find her.”

“What was the name?”

Ashley reached into her pocket and held out a piece of paper. “I don’t know what it means and I don’t want to. I’m moving back in with my parents. If you want my advice, Vida, it’s to get out of town at least until King shows back up at the club. If he does.”

Ashley put the car in gear. Vida took the hint, getting out of the car, and watched as Ashley pulled out, cutting off another furious driver.

Vida opened the piece of paper, reading the name on it. She drew a blank, not knowing what it meant. Mouth2Mouth. However she did know where she could find the answer.

Vida rushed into the tattoo shop, ignoring Colton, Reverend and Carlito who all stared at her empty hands.

“Where’s the coffee? Colton said you were getting it,” Carlito asked.

“I forgot it,” Vida said, powering up her computer.

“What’s happened?” Colton asked, frowning.

“Ashley was outside. She told me Briggs told her something, but she didn’t know what it meant. I’m going to look it up on the internet.” She handed him the piece of paper.

Colton opened the paper with both Carlito and Reverend looking over his shoulder.

“What does it mean?” Carlito asked, just when the computer flashed the answer.

“It’s a band,” Vida answered. Briggs had bragged that Digger provided women to movie and rock stars.

“Why would they be crazy enough to become involved with Briggs?” Colton asked.

“Maybe they don’t know. Briggs said that by the time Digger lets them loose, they don’t even try to get away anymore,” Vida repeated Briggs’s words.

“Motherfucker, I want to meet this bastard,” Reverend swore.

“Do you think that this band has Sawyer? Digger said whoever had her didn’t want to give her back. Musicians have security; that might be why Digger couldn’t get her back.”