I SHALL FIND YOU by Ony Bond Page B

graveyard?
    He texted back. No, you there already?
    Yes.
    See you in a few minutes.
    He walked to the shed. Rose was at the back. She held his hand.
    “Feel better now?” he asked.
    “Mm.”
    “Rose.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Last thing I want is someone seeing us and telling your dad.”
    “Tired of this hiding. Why not tell him now? I can see him now and let him know.”
    He did not agree. As much as he agreed Frank needed to know he was too angry right now. They needed to make him cool before he knew.
    “It’s not going to be easy to pretend,” she countered. “How can I pretend not to like you when we have to meet in the factory all the time. Plus, how long can we do that? You’re going to buy me coffee, and I’ll do the same. People will notice. I must smile at you because you like my dimples and wear skirts for you too. Do you expect me to ignore you now when I visit the workshop to see dad? Where were you all these years?”
    “Looking for you.”
    “Why couldn’t I see it when I met you the first time?”
    “I didn’t have blue eyes.”
    She pulled his nose.
    “You got to go now.”
    “You’re right.”
    She didn’t leave.
    “Someone’s coming.”
    “I don’t hear anyone.”
    “Want your dad to find us here alone?”
    She left. Two minutes later a buzzing sound in his pocket made him start. Rose was calling.
    “Still out there?”
    “Yes. Back at office?”
    “Yeah, hard to function as I’m still reeling from fact I have new boyfriend. Hadn’t planned it.”
    “It’s not too late to change your mind.”
    “I’m in this head over heels.”
    “Me as well.”
    “So Saturday’s all set again for the seaside unless it’s snowing.”
    “Yes.”
    “Will talk later.”
    “Love you.”
    “Nicest thing anyone said to me today. Love you too.”
    He put away his phone and walked back to the factory. As he passed the workshop and walked for Mark’s office Frank glared. James stepped inside and closed the door.
    “Want to ask something. Did you hear news last night concerning that missing girl? Something about a taxi driver seeing the girl on the road and seeing her get into a black car.”
    “Has there been further development? At least someone saw her that night. Any arrests yet?”
    “No. I’m worried, Godfree.”
    “What’s wrong? You ok?”
    “No, my car’s black. That taxi driver saw one with the same colour. Don’t want people thinking it’s me.”
     Godfree shook his head. “You aren’t the only person here with a black car. Did you take that road after you left my place the night that girl disappeared?”
    “No, I took the direct route through town. Saw guys look at my car strange today, heard one say there’s our black car.”
    “Who was that? That’s no way to joke about a missing girl, or even imagine you captured her.”
    James relaxed. “Thought for a moment you suspected me too, called that police hotline and gave my name.”
    “That’s crazy. How can I suspect you? All the same I’m wondering if the guy police are looking for isn’t local. My feeling’s he could be.”
    “He is. I mean he must know the area well, stopped for this girl. Looked like he knew what he was doing and is a meticulous planner.”
    “He might be a sex predator. Someone who enjoys hurting girls. Hope he didn’t hurt her.”
    “He isn’t just kidnapping, but killing them.”
    “Jamie, they’re alive.”
    James’ tone was firm. “How can they be alive after this long? There’s no trace of them. Nothing. That means they’re dead, dumped at the bottom of some pool and zipped into bags. A lake out in the woods. They aren’t coming back. It’s over for them.”
    “Now you’re giving me the creeps. So a monster’s killing girls and dumping the bodies in a lake? You keep talking about lakes.”
    “A person had to hide the bodies somewhere. I’m just a bit worried people might suspect me.”
    “Cut that out, will you?”
    “My car’s large and black and that Tracy