Bill crawled out of Amanda's bed. She didn't wake. It was a good thing. Getting involved like he wanted to be involved was bad, very bad. He couldn't stay objective if he wanted to sleep with her.



Plus, even though his wife was out boinking guys fresh out of college, he wouldn't play that game. Wanting Amanda and having Amanda were two very different things.



He needed to focus so thoroughly on the person who abducted Amanda that desire didn't even enter the picture. Hell, who was he kidding? Amanda was desire. He doubted he could spend more than two minutes in her presence and not find something to like.



His phone chirped. Bill answered without looking to see who had called.



"Agent Rowland, this is officer Louis Betrand of the Nassau Police Force. I would like to talk to you when you have a chance."



Damn, he'd meant to go by the station but had been busy. Now he'd probably screwed any chance he had of working nicely with them. "I could come to the station right now."



"No, this isn't urgent, just something we need to discuss."



"I don't mind coming by now. I meant to go by there yesterday, but some things..."



"I understand. Since you are here unofficially. I guess you could say that you are just a friend of the victim. But still, there are a few reports that need attention."



Bill's stomach dropped. This Betrand guy might be a total dick about the entire thing. "Reports?"



"Yes, people see things. One is about a guy on a boat that matches the basic description you faxed over."



"Oh, you want me to look at some reports?"



"Of course, what else would it be?"



"Hmmm, nothing. So, can you send me the reports?"



"Sure, but I would rather meet with you. Have you had lunch?"



"No, not yet."



"I'll meet you in a twenty minutes in the café on the south-east side of the hospital. It's called JJ's."



"Great, see you then." Bill wanted to leave a note for Amanda but didn't know what he would say. They needed to talk. When they talked he needed her not to be touching him. If they spent any time together then he would combust with desire. Not something the FBI would approve of.



It had to be the stress of Shana leaving him. Last night he'd barely slept, and when he had, dreams of Shana with other men tortured him.



Amanda was a diversion, nothing serious, and it would be wrong to use her. She'd been used enough. If he forced the issue and went after her, then she would be hurt. And he liked her too much to hurt the girl.



Really, having her show up in his life right now was beyond ironic. Secretly he'd had a crush on Amanda since she hit the stage eight years ago. But crushes were immature, so he ignored the desire. Instead he focused on his love for music.



He stared at her for a good five minutes, wondering how different his life would have been if he could have met Amanda under different circumstances. His family money would have paid for her time, but that was a bit too psycho.



Shana had come into his life, and he'd really loved her. Before she found out about his money they'd been happy. When he thought about those days it made him sad. Now their life was crap compared to how wonderful it had been before money became such a huge issue.



Bill grabbed his briefcase and headed out the door. He'd come back to her later. After meeting with Louis and finding out what the hell could be done with this case, then they would talk.



The streets around the hospital weren't bad. Most of the storm debris had been cleared from the area. A blue tarp covered the roof of a small bakery. He imagined that the owners weren't happy about the mess inside, but it looked like they were still able to sell their wares, something invaluable at times like this. He found JJ's to be crowded. That the place was operating also a Godsend for many.



Bill was glad that his family had a cash habit. It looked as though cash ruled in the post storm economy. The area was packed, and a group of American looking kids stood off to the side. As he neared their voices confirmed their citizenship. Most likely, they were high school grads on vacation. The glassy eyed look didn't bode well for them. They were probably starving. None of them were in line to order. Most likely had no cash.



Bill stopped close enough to hear them. It didn't sound good. They were hungry. One of them was going to try to steel some food. The others were trying to talk him out of it. What they didn't know was that the owner would probably pull out a shotgun. They'd be dead or at least injured.



It would be negligent to leave them at their own devices. He approached one of the girls, a blond in a bathing suit with a worried frown, speaking directly to her. "Excuse me, are you from the United States?"



She shot him a worried look, the other teens turned to him, the guys puffing out their chest like they knew what they were doing.



"Yeah, what you want to make of it?" The dark headed male spoke up, pushing the blond girl behind him.



Bill decided to play his cards. He needed the shock value of the FBI behind him now. "I couldn't help but overhear your plan to do a little smash and grab with the food."



One of the girls scoffed. "I don't know what you're talking about."



Bill flipped open his creds and let them get a good look. Their faces turned pale and they began to back away. He grabbed onto the lead guy's arm. "It's cash only when the storms hit. Do you have access to any?"



The blonde stepped forward. "We only brought credit cards. Our families said they would pay the bills when we got back. We've been doing good. Our hotel is cheep and we've been eating at McDonalds, but the storm blew the roof off. It's closed. We didn't know what to do and were so hungry."



"All of you are strong, let me suggest you ask for employment. People need their yards cleaned out, they will pay with food, but be careful and don't stray into the bad neighborhoods. When is your flight out?"



"Two days." One of the guys popped off.



"Here," he handed the blond two hundred dollars. "Get in line. After you eat do a few odd jobs."



She pushed half the money back at him. "This is too much."



"You'll need the extra Cash. Prices can skyrocket after a storm, and a meal for the four of you could cost hundreds."



Tears ran down her face. "Thank you, I don't know what we would have done."



"Go, get in line and eat a big meal. It might be a while before you get another one. Be smart, don't even think about stealing anything. These guys have guns. You all would have been dead before you hit the street."



They all gave their thanks then filed into the line. He waited for Louis, wondering how the police were going to handle the crazies after the storm and what about this abduction case. He knew the answer, the loudest screamer would get the attention paid to it, and Amanda's case wasn't screaming right now.



He looked at the crowd, seeing the lost, the angry, the upset all wanting attention. These people were here because they probably couldn't find food anywhere else. They were upset residents and vacationers who needed the police to reassure them that the world would return to normal.



Bill's phone chirped, he looked at the caller id, it was Louis. "Let me guess, you can't make it."



"You're right. I can't make it. We've had some looting and a shooting. It's crazy."



"I need that information."



"I'll put it in an email when I get a few minutes today."



"Louis, this guy is still out there even with the Hurricane damage. He'll take another woman. Please get me that information."



"I will. If you don't have it by three call and pester me again."



"Fine, three."



Bill got in line for food, realizing that he hadn't eaten enough in the last few days. The problems with Shana, the Amanda case, and his boss had all driven him crazy.



When he got to the front of the line he saw a haggard looking man taking money, and a two people serving up three different dishes. You could eat chicken, beef or fried rice. Everyone got vegetables. "Are you JJ?"



The man's lip twitched into a tired smile. "Yep, wish I were anyone else today."



"You about out of food?"



"Heck no. Got a deep freeze on a generator. I'm good for another five days. Just exhausted. You would think there were no other restaurants open on the island."



"McDonald's is closed."



"Oh, well that would do it. We'll be here, rain or shine."



Bill turned and looked at all the people packing the restaurant. This guy had to be raking in the dough. "How much for the meal?"



"Five even, cash only."



Bill stepped back. "Wow, I'm surprised."



"JJ's is honest prices. Couldn't take advantage of all these people."



"Plenty who are."



"That's why we're packed."



Bill got the chicken and veggies, and sat down on the opposite side of the room from the teens. The food was good and he was glad he'd come over for a bite. Definitely much better than what he would have found from a vending machine.



On his way back over to the hospital he picked up two bottles of Coke Zero and water from a street vendor. Before paying he made sure that the lids were sealed. If he couldn't find anything else at least he would have water and one of his main vices, Coke Zero.

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011