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That was a whole different ball game. I hadn’t even told her myself that I had fallen for her. Sure, I’d said I liked Autumn, but I wanted her permanently in my life. As soon as I got back, I would say something—even if she hadn’t said she was ready for anything that serious.
My brother went inside, and I tried calling her again, but there was still no answer. For now, I was sleeping on my brother’s couch and if Mom was okay, I would head home tomorrow.
* * *
I tried calling again in the morning and still no answer. I would contact Dorothy and see if Autumn had lost her phone or something.
“Hi, Dorothy. Ryan here. I’ve been trying to connect with Autumn, but she’s not answering her phone. I was wondering if you could pop over and check if she is okay.”
“Of course, I will, dear. She did stop in yesterday morning. We had some fool revving his car and driving up and down the street like a madman. Then she had rocks thrown at her front door. Shook her up a bit, it did.”
My chest tightened at the thought of something happening to Autumn. “I didn’t know. When she texted me yesterday, she didn’t mention it?”
“Give me five minutes and I’ll check and call you back.”
They felt like the longest five minutes of his life. What on earth was going on? The street was so quiet, and we never had anyone bothering us. My gut told me the car and the rocks had to be connected.
My phone rang.
“Ryan. The front door was ajar, and she wasn’t home. There is glass and furniture broken around the place. There is also what looks like blood on the carpet. I went into the bedroom and found her cell phone. I’ve called the police, they’re on their way now,” Dorothy said, and you could hear the crack in her voice.
My gut clenched as fear wafted over me. Something had happened to Autumn, and I needed to be there. I would search every square inch of the Blue Mountains to find her if I had to.
“I’ll talk to my brother and head back straight away. Keep me posted. It will take about ten hours.”
I thought I should tell her family, but Autumn had never given me her parents’ number. The only other people who were that close to her were Grant and Charlotte so I called them. I had to talk to someone, or I would go mad with worry.
Grant answered, “Hi, Ryan. You, okay? I had a call from Autumn yesterday saying Jonathan had been around. Is she all right?”
“No. Something’s happened. I’m in Melbourne with family but going to drive back. There has been a break-in and she’s missing. The place was smashed up and there’s blood. Our neighbor, Dorothy, called the cops.”
There was silence for a moment. “Okay. I’ll book a flight and get there as soon as I can. Trust me, Ryan. She’s tough. She’ll be okay.”
“She has to be. I don’t think I could cope if she isn’t. I should have been there.”
“You were with your family. You couldn’t have known something was going to happen.”
“I’ll keep you updated and let me know when your flight arrives. Could you let her parents know? I don’t want them to find out on the television.”
“I’ll handle them. You go and find our girl.”
I told my brother what was happening and got Bluey to jump on the back of the pickup. I couldn’t be in Melbourne while she was in danger. My family was important, but I realized right now that she had become the center of my universe.
Four hours later, I was making good time, only stopping for coffee and toilet breaks. I would call Dorothy again soon if I didn’t hear anything. She had sent me a text saying the police had been. I wanted to know what they had found.
My cell phone started to ring, and I pulled over onto the side of the road. It was Dorothy, and I prayed she had good news.
“The police think they know who has taken her. I’d written down the number plate of the car that had been revving, and it seems it was a hire car. They checked with the company and found out who had leased it. The man is called Kevin Patterson and he is on holiday here from England. He gave the company a fake address though. The police asked me if I thought Autumn knew him. I said I didn’t know but would ask you.”
“Autumn mentioned the name Kevin to me. It was the man who stalked her after her accident. Look, I’m making good time, but if you can let the police know, they may be able to check with the UK police. She had contacted them a while back because this Kevin guy was sending her emails.”
As soon as I got off the phone, I sent a text to Grant.
Ryan: It seems the person who has taken her is possibly the stalker from London.
I kept driving, but eventually, a reply came through.
Grant: What the hell—how did he find her? I always felt bad I wasn’t there for her then. I arrive tomorrow night. At airport waiting to board now.
