Two more months passed without a word about Anna. Peter had taken the video to the police and they assured him that they'd continue to work on the case. In the meantime he spent hours on the "NET" talking to people about Anna and asking them for any help they might be able to give. Several said that they traveled quite a bit for their jobs and would keep an eye out, but still nothing.
Then one day he got a letter in the mail. It simply read:
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR NED TRY A LITTLE TOWN JUST SOUTH OF LOREDO, TEXAS.
With nothing else to go on Peter packed and headed South that evening. Fortunately, he has born in Texas and had relatives there, as well as some of his "NET" contacts. Calling ahead he told everyone about the letter and asked for help. Offers of a place to stay, money, or even a gun where made. Peter asked that they meet him in Laredo and be prepared for a trip across the border.
When he arrived two days later, he found 14 people waiting at the motel he had registered at. He gave each a picture of Anna and another of Ned and watched as they disappeared to become the eyes and ears of his search.
One person stayed behind. A woman in her early thirties, named Beth, stood in the doorway. Long, raven-black hair, chocolate-brown eyes, a deep Southern tan, but with a long sundress that revealed nothing of what might be underneath. "You know they won't find her," she said.
"Really? And why is that?"
"They're all nice folks, and they mean well, but the area of town that your 'Ex' was probably taken her to isn't safe for their kind. They'll either be smart enough to stay away from it or too stupid and get hurt."
"Sounds like you know that area yourself ...," he replied.
"Lets just say that part of my ill-begotten youth took me to the area."
"... and you think you might know where to look?"
"Ya. I know where to look and who to talk to, but only if it's just you and me. I don't want anybody getting hurt. Okay?"
Some gut-instinct told Peter that this woman knew what she was talking about as he stretched out his hand, "Deal."
Taking his hand, she shook it. "I'll be back in an hour with some 'friends'. Be ready," then she left.
Unsure of what the day would bring, Peter grabbed a quick lunch and returned to his room. He watched the clock tick slowly as an hour passed and he dreamed of Anna. A knock at the door brought him back to reality. Quickly opening the door he found a totally changed Beth and six of her "friends."
Gone was the meek, average woman he had met earlier. Instead Beth was dressed in a red sports bra, that looked two sizes too small as her nipples pressed against the material, a pair of black hip-hugger latex pants, that appeared to have been painted on, and black heels. Her hair flowed loosely over her shoulders and she had applied just the right amount of make-up, which was topped by ruby-red lipstick. Her six "friends" were all over six-foot tall and dressed in biker clothing that was obviously their own.
Beth quietly stepped into the room, with her friends following. "I guess introductions are in order. Peter this is Roy, Guy, Hank, Phil, Matt, and Toby. These are the friends I told you about. Guys, this is Peter." Each nodded and shook my hand as he was introduced, but never said a word. Beth continued, "The boys and I are going to check things out. I want you to stay here until we get back."
"That wasn't the deal. You said that you and I would be looking together." Peter replied.
Taking him by the hand, Beth walked him to the back of the small room before responding, "Look, Peter. You'd stick out like a white flag in some of the places we need to check. The guys and I can move around without any problem. We're all "upstanding citizens" now, but we've all had our times south of the border when we were younger. I know this is hard but you haven't seen Anna in months, just give us a couple of hours to find her and make sure we can do it right to keep her safe. It's one o'clock now. We'll be back here by three-thirty to let you know what we found. Okay?"
Reluctantly, he agreed and stood in the doorway as they left.
Time again seemed to stand still as he waited; yet barely thirty minutes had passed before Beth returned. "I think we found her. She's working in one of the better 'houses' just off the main drag. She looks a bit different, but as a whole she looks healthy. The owner of the place seems to have a soft spot for pregnant women, cuz' she's working the bar as a waitress instead of working on stage or in back. You'll need to change into these and come with me to make a definite ID," she said as she handed Peter a small backpack stuffed with biker leathers and colors.
Grabbing the bag he headed for the bathroom.
"Umm, Peter. Considering what might have to be done I think you should change out here and get used to people seeing you naked."
Stunned, he stopped in his tracks. "What do you mean by that?"