Shade of Pale by Greg; Kihn

achieve.
    Satisfied now, he prepared to leave.
    Scanning the room for anything he may have inadvertently left behind, he remembered the tiny piece of paper that had fluttered from his pocket back in the hall.
    Convinced that he’d left no trace here, he slipped from the room and tiptoed down the hallway.
    He bent over and searched the carpet. There was no sign of whatever it was that had fallen. In the dim light, it was impossible to distinguish one bit of paper from the other filth on the floor.
    He was about to drop to his hands and knees when he heard someone coming. He walked briskly down the stairs, away from the noise, and kept going.
    It was maddening not to know what he’d dropped.
    Probably just a scrap of something, a piece of candy wrapper maybe, some tissue, certainly nothing they can trace back to me .

CHAPTER SEVEN
    The cops could do little for Jukes, and calling them proved to be frustrating. When they arrived, he stammered and fumed, in an inarticulate rage.
    â€œI’m not sure what happened. All I know is that Bobby Sudden knocked me out and when I regained consciousness they were both gone.”
    â€œDid your sister go willingly?” the uniformed officer asked.
    â€œI … I think he kidnapped her.”
    â€œBut you’re not sure, right?”
    â€œLook; I believe he kidnapped her. The same guy assaulted her two nights ago and she was going to press charges.”
    â€œBut did she know the man? Were they lovers?”
    Jukes sputtered a, “Yes.”
    The cop nodded. “This sounds like a domestic situation.”
    â€œNo! She hated the guy. It was over.”
    â€œMaybe she changed her mind.”
    Jukes excused himself to go to the bathroom. He used the moment alone to gather himself. He splashed cold water on his face and tried to focus his thoughts. Did Cathy go willingly? It didn’t seem possible.
    When he returned he stated again his certainty that Cathy had been kidnapped.
    â€œAre you willing to file assault charges?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    The police nodded and closed their notebooks.
    After they were gone, Jukes called Detective George Jones, desperately hoping the talented sleuth could help him find Cathy. He explained the situation to the homicide detective and waited for a response.
    Jones’s voice came over the line like moist sandpaper. “I’d love to help you, Doc, but it’s not my department. Christ, I’ve got my hands full down here as it is.”
    â€œWhy the hell not?”
    â€œWell, I’m Homicide, you know? They only call me when there’s a body.”
    Jukes held the receiver out and stared at it as if it were covered with shit. Then he slammed it down with a force that surprised him.
    Jukes wandered the city for hours before appearing at the door of Will Howard’s apartment.
    â€œI’m worried sick about Cathy,” Jukes said as Will led him into his comfortable bachelor’s flat.
    â€œYou look it, old buddy,” Will answered.
    â€œI don’t know what to do. I feel like personally searching every building in the city until I find her.”
    â€œDon’t do that. Listen to me, Jukes: There’s nothing you can do; it’s in the hands of the cops now. They’re the pros; just let ’em do their job. You should just try to relax.”
    â€œI’ve tried. I can’t.”
    â€œHow about we go out and get a couple cold beers?”
    â€œNo way.”
    Will sighed. “Why don’t you consider doing something that will distract you from your problem? Get some distance from it, you might get your objectivity back.”
    â€œNo. I gotta go home in case I get a call from Cathy,” Jukes said, pacing the room.
    â€œYou got your beeper and your answering service. Besides, you don’t really know if that son of a bitch kidnapped her or—”
    Jukes shook his head vigorously. “Hey, wait a second; I know he kidnapped