"Could you do me a quick favor?" Gertie asked. "Could you check for an AMBER Alert in this area? It would be a five or six-year-old boy with black hair. With a man in his thirties, also black hair, glasses."

"Do you know the license plate?"

"They're walking."

"Okay, sure."

"I'm going to follow them."

"Are you—"

"Yes, I'm sure it's a good idea. Let me know as soon as possible. Thanks."

Gertie turned around and walked after the man and child. If they looked back, they might wonder why she'd changed direction, but if nothing criminal was going on they had nothing to worry about. They certainly wouldn't think that she was going to mug them.

She wasn't sure how far back to stay. She didn't want to raise suspicion, but she didn't want to lose them. Gertie had no experience in trying to follow somebody; one turn and she might not be able to find them again.

They turned right at the next corner.

Shit.

Gertie picked up her pace.

Her phone vibrated. "Yeah?" she whispered.

"No active AMBER Alerts around here."

"Doesn't mean the kid wasn't kidnapped, though."

"What exactly did you see?"

"It's a man walking with a little kid. The kid has balloons and a teddy bear. I know that doesn't sound like much, but—"

"—but it's midnight. I get it. You think the kid was bribed with gifts?"

"Maybe. I mean, parents are allowed to have their kids out late. I got a weird vibe from him is all."

"I'm pretty sure an AMBER Alert only goes out if the kid is in physical danger. Call 911 and see if there have been any reports."

Gertie turned the corner. She hadn't lost the man and boy yet.

"I will," she whispered. "Stay put. I'll call you back."

* * *

Charlene's stomach had somehow twisted into even tighter knots. There were plenty of reasons a man might be out this late with a balloon-holding little kid. She had no idea what time Chuck E. Cheese closed. Could be a divorced dad who had to drive several hours after work to pick up his son for visitation. "Child abduction" was one of the less likely explanations.

And suppose it was an abduction. The guy wasn't going to turn around and kidnap Gertie, too. She'd call the police and let them do their jobs.

Gertie, who did not have her own ringtone yet, called.

"I need you to pick me up right away," said Gertie, sounding panicked and out of breath. "They went into a parking garage."

"Where?"

"It's...no, don't pick me up in the garage. There's a café called Four Umbrellas. GPS it and pick me up right outside of it. I'm switching back to 911. Bye."

Charlene quickly pulled up the café on her phone. Only a few blocks away.