Page 33 of Vanishing Legacy
Alana forced out a measured breath. That little jolt had probably shaved about three years off her life.
“Sometimes I let her hide under there. I think it helps her escape some of the stimuli.” He motioned to Alana’s plate. “Didn’t like the grits?”
“What?” She looked at the untouched bowl. “Oh. I guess I’m a little distracted.”
He wiped his mouth with his napkin and placed it on the table. “Cool if I run to the restroom?”
“Sure, but…keep your eyes open. Juliette’s off checking on a suspicious man who just left.” Alana flicked her eyes around the restaurant, then back to Cash. “And I don’t know what it is, but something is…off.”
“We’re almost done here, so I’ll make it quick and we can leave.”
“I’ll box this up for later.” It was delicious, and she couldn’t enjoy it right now anyway.
“Good, I’ll be right back.” Cash stood and left several bills tucked under the centerpiece. “Tell Jennifer she can keep the rest.”
Alana peeked under the table. “Hey, Penny, do you know how to write your name?”
“Yeah. P-E-N-N-Y.”
“That’s right! Hey, I have a crayon right here. Do you think you can show me on paper?”
“Okay!” The little girl crawled out to grab the crayon.
Alana glanced up to check on Cash. He’d paused near the door to allow a waiter carrying a tray full of food to pass. The waiter stumbled and the tray tipped. Cash flinched and tried to dodge, but he was too late. Plates of food rained down, drenching him from head to toe. The tray of dishes crashed to the floor in an explosion of porcelain.
In her peripheral vision, Alana saw a figure wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet lunge toward Penny. He scooped her up and turned to run.
The little girl’s piercing screams echoed through the restaurant.
Alana charged the kidnapper and slammed her shoulder into the man. He stumbled and collided with a table. The helmeted figure regained his footing and rushed forward.
Alana pulled her Taser gun and aimed but couldn’t fire with all the commotion of diners jumping from their seats. “Stop! Stop right now!”
The kidnapper glanced over his shoulder. A woman screamed and sprang from her chair. The chair toppled over in front of him. He tried to spin but lost his footing and fell backward onto a table. The legs buckled under his weight. Plates and glasses shattered as the table collapsed with the man holding Penny to his chest.
Penny screamed louder, but Alana was there. She gathered Penny into her arms and backed away. The helmeted figure rolled to his feet and sprinted out of the dining room.
Alana hesitated for a moment, torn between chasing after him and staying with Penny. Before she could decide, Cash took off after the kidnapper.
“No! Cash! Wait!”
But it was too late. Cash disappeared through the doorway.
* * *
Cash’s heart pounded as he burst through the swinging doors of the kitchen. The sweltering heat hit him like a sledgehammer, making him gasp for air. Pots and pans clanged as the helmeted suspect darted past the horrified cooks.
Cash’s eyes locked on the suspect. “Hey! Stop that man!” At least, he assumed it was a man by the square shoulders and slight knob protruding from his throat. The black motorcycle helmet hid his face, so he couldn’t really tell.
The kitchen staff stood frozen in place. Eyes wide and mouths hanging open. Not a muscle moved to help. Guess he was on his own. “At least call the police!”
Helmet Guy grabbed a rolling bread rack, swung it around, and shoved it at Cash. It rolled down the stove aisle, and a chef flattened himself against the grill to keep from getting hit. It rolled to Cash. He caught it and thrust it behind him. It crashed into a prep table and fell over.
When he turned around, Cash saw flames climbing up the back of the chef. “Hang on! Hang on!” He grabbed a towel and beat the flames out.
The chef gaped at Cash. “Oh my…thank…I didn’t even realize…”
He pushed the towel into the chef’s hands and took off. “Just call the police,” he yelled over his shoulder.