She’d no sooner sat down behind her desk when her office manager came in to brief her on the caseload since she’d left. The new lawyers she’d hired were doing a great job of winning their cases. She told her office manager to schedule a meeting with them at their most convenient hour, for she was making a big announcement about bonuses and partnership possibilities.
She’d been reluctant at first to change the corporate structure to add partners to her firm. She’d been burned before by the unethical behavior of those sworn to uphold the law. But, to stop the bleeding of exceptional attorneys leaving for partnership possibilities at competing firms, she had to do something. The decision was a weighty one. She’d made peace with knowing Ray, her private detective, would do a thorough job of vetting them.
The meeting was well received by the attorneys and they were excited about the new career incentives. She could only imagine the conversations around the water coolers. She left for the day, pleased with her first day back.
Walking to her car in the garage, she thought about Walker and how he’d changed her parking space to a less visible one for her safety. She was getting ready to cross over to her car when someone approached her. He was of Chinese descent, and the technologies company quickly came to mind.
When he was within conversation range, she asked, “How can I help you?”
“I’m from the Beijing Jīn Róng Group. The chairman of the board wanted me to ask you to consider representing the company as needed.”
The warning Daniela had received from the unidentified man in Barbados came to mind. She said, “I emailed your boss with my sincere regrets. I’d hoped he would understand and hire another firm to represent him in the future.”
“He received your apology. I’m here to make a personal plea on his behalf for your assistance. He needs your help.”
“I’m sorry. We’re not taking on global accounts currently. Please let him know his thoughts are appreciated, and I wish him the best.”
As he turned to leave, Sydney noticed the smirk on his face. This wasn’t good tidings. She needed to find out what was going on with the technologies company and prepare to defend herself if needed. She’d make a call to Lt. Thomason first thing in the morning to see what he knew.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Fallback and Regroup
Walker was reluctant to return to Atlanta, for he knew if Sydney was in danger, he’d protect her, and everything he’d done over the past year would be in vain. The CIA would be on to him. Why couldn’t she quit taking high-profile mafia-related cases that had jeopardized her life, not to mention her son’s?
He hoped his intel was wrong. He’d hunker down in Barbados until he got confirmation of her involvement while hoping his source was mistaken. He’d sent her a warning by her nanny, believing she had the good sense to listen, even if the message was from a stranger.
He’d been chasing leads to confirm who gave the order for Isabella’s murder. Being assumed dead had its disadvantages, for he didn’t have access to the CIA’s intel and couldn’t confront those he thought responsible.
He believed the order came from the director of operations, the man who’d orchestrated his and Isabella’s escape from Cuba. But could he have been following an order from someone higher up in the agency? In hindsight, he should have interrogated the hit man, but he was blood thirsty to avenge Isabella’s murder and knew the CIA put layers of ambiguity when ordering a hit, so it could’ve been useless. However, his continuing education as ordered by the CIA was paying off. He was taking the cyberterrorism examples the CIA had presented about the North Koreans and infiltrated the director of operation’s life. Every move he made, he was watching.
He’d learned from computer whizzes starting with the leader, Kim Jong-un, a computer scientist who’d built an army of cyberagents milking countries and businesses of millions before being detected, including top government agencies and well-known US businesses. Who said education doesn’t pay off, no matter where or why you get it?
Now if Sydney would lay low, he might get the answers he sought. Yet, knowing that was improbable, he planned for the worst-case scenario. Frustrated as he was, he still had her back.
Sydney called Lt. Thomason at GBI to ask questions about his knowledge of the US government’s stake in Su Geming’s extradition to China. She knew he’d be upfront with her, even to tell her to back off, which she’d already done. He needed to know in case something happened to her who to arrest for murder.
“Good morning,” she said.
“How can I help you?”
“What can you tell me about the government’s involvement in Su Geming’s request for extradition to China? The Chinese government is coming fast and furious to protect their assets. And, I’ve been asked to stand by as their attorney.”
“Sydney, Geming is never leaving the US. He will be interrogated until the government knows who’s behind their US business facade and he’ll die in prison for terrorist acts against the US. We want China’s commerce, just not those associated with Black Societies whom their government backs to infiltrate our technology secrets, hurting the US economy.”
“For the record, I said no to their request for my firm representing them. However, I am concerned. I was met by one of their men in my office building’s garage making a plea for me to retain their case. I didn’t like how it ended. Just know I am armed and dangerous.”
“Point taken. By the way, I made captain when my boss retired.”
“Congratulations. I always thought you should have the job.”
“Thank you.”
Sydney arrived home and was surprised to find the door unlocked and the security alarm off. She hurried into her townhome with her hand resting on the revolver she carried in her purse. She slipped through the rooms, inspecting every square inch for Daniela and her son. She cleared downstairs and started up the staircase to the bedrooms and living area above. She opened her son’s bedroom door and peeked inside. There were no signs of entry or disturbance. She went to his new “big boy’ bed shaped like a sports car with toys scattered over his blanket. She smiled and looked at her son sleeping with a trail of tears dried onto his sweet face. Wanting to inspect the rest of her home and set the security alarm, she left him sleeping. She hurriedly moved from room to room, hoping to find Daniela. She was nowhere to be found. She went to the kitchen and poured a drink and noticed a note on the island bar. It said, “Do we have your attention now? Wait for our call, and don’t alert the police if you want to see your nanny again.”
She immediately called Captain Thomason with news of the kidnapping while hoping Daniela was safe. He was surprised to hear from her. They’d just talked earlier in the day.
“My house was broken into and someone has kidnapped Daniela. My son is here and from the looks of his face, he cried himself to sleep. I don’t know how long she’s been missing. Someone tampered with my security system and set it to replay a previous recording. I looked at the live video remotely from my office before coming home and didn’t think it unusual, Daniela giving my son a piece of fruit for a snack, not to spoil his dinner.”
“Sydney, I’m sorry this happened. I’m sending investigators over to take prints now. Don’t touch anything until we have a chance to see what they’ve left behind.”
“I’ve rearmed my security system, but maybe there’s evidence on the system’s master controls. Whoever it was knew the technology and played me for a fool.”
“Don’t worry, every crime fighting agency in Atlanta will be looking for Daniela. I’ll keep you in the loop.”
Remembering the note, she said, “Do it quietly, or they may harm her if they know I’ve talked to law enforcement.”
“Don’t worry about that. This isn’t our first rodeo.”
“Thank you, and please hurry. I don’t want Daniela’s blood on my hands.”
Captain Thomason we
nt through the proper channels and alerted law enforcement agencies about Daniela’s kidnapping. He thought about the video surveillance he’d planted outside her townhome. The 360-degree cam was planted high up on the modern streetlight. At the time he debated her rights to privacy versus a resource for a crime scene investigation. He was glad the latter won.
She needed someone looking over her shoulder. No matter what he said, she’d continue taking cases that subjected her to bodily harm if things went south. He’d thought with the birth of her son, she’d make some changes. They were slow in coming. Maybe this was her wakeup call.
Walker was at his laptop eavesdropping on the CIA’s director of operations when he saw the alert about Daniela’s kidnapping. Damn, he thought. Sydney didn’t listen to his warning. He’d hoped motherhood would make her more cautious. Now, her personal life was invaded by criminals who played to win. They’d never stop coming after her until she did their bidding or were snuffed out.
His body flexed with an adrenaline rush to catch the next flight to Atlanta. He had to shake it off and backtrack his feelings as her protector. He’d wait to see the local authorities’ next move. Thomason was probably the first person she called and from previous problems, he was confident he had her back.
Needing something to occupy his time until another news bulletin flashed on his computer screen, he got up and grabbed his dumbbells and started squeezing repetitions out. By the time he’d completed a couple of sets, his computer was showing signs of life. The intruders into Sydney’s’ home were identified—Chinese nationals. The GBI provided mugshots from their passports, photo of the getaway van and license plate, including the name of the rental agency. He had to admit, identifying the kidnappers quickly was outstanding police work. He just hoped law enforcement found them and Daniela safe.
He hoped this would be the end of the Chinese technology company’s hold on Sydney and respect her wishes to withdraw from their legal proceedings. Yet, he doubted it, as they’d send more manpower until the job was done unless someone stopped them.
He closed his laptop and locked his door, then left for an afternoon jog along the beach to clear his head. Every time he heard her name it set him off, and not knowing whether her son was his weighed heavy on his shoulders. Knowing her family history, with no immediate next of kin, she’d throw caution to the wind with no one to care for her son should she be injured or murdered. This was one of the few times he wished he could make his presence known to her. He wanted a legal document stating him as the child’s next of kin should it become necessary.
Barbados had been a good fit for him to plan revenge on Isabella’s murderers. He’d kept his hand in the technologies business to keep abreast of the latest in the field and provide consulting from the island. He struggled with fear his identity would be compromised. However, when he looked in the mirror, another man stared back.
His days were filled with study and research about Isabella’s murder. Now, he’d added tracking Sydney’s legal moves to his plan. At night when he couldn’t sleep, he journaled about his life with Isabella. He’d considered writing a military engaged novel but decided even with his alias and pen name, it could be risky. The CIA had his record, and even presumed dead, too many coincidences and they’d be looking for him again.
Writing about the sweet life he and Isabella tasted was good for him. Never expecting to write a romance novel, his journaling gave him a way to grieve her death and have peace as he waited for the last piece of intel to fall into place. He’d avenge her senseless death imposed by her tormenters. They’d reap what they sowed.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The Unthinkable
Sydney’s townhome swarmed with special agents as they took prints from the door, security console, kitchen counter, and places subject to evidence. The kidnappers’ note was sent to forensics for analysis.
Captain Thomason called with the news Daniela had been found and was being returned home. A medical unit was on the way to take specimens of the kidnappers from her body. She wasn’t to wash her hands, brush her hair, or change clothes until they arrived and cataloged the specimens.
They’d conclude their interview with her away from the scumbags who kidnapped her. The three men responsible for the kidnapping had been apprehended and taken to headquarters for interrogating. He’d be in touch afterwards.
David woke up. She heard him crying and rushed upstairs to his bedroom. When he saw her, his puffy face lit up with a smile. She went quickly to his bed and he jumped into her open arms. With everything going on in her home, she didn’t want to scare him. She hugged him tightly.
The agents downstairs were close to finishing their investigation and would be leaving soon, after they talked with Daniela. The medical unit was another matter. Perhaps they could conclude their business in Daniela’s suite, especially with it being personal.
In the meantime, she asked David how he’d like to lie in Mama’s bed and watch cartoons. She knew he loved being in her room, and sometimes fell asleep there before she took him to his.
He said yes, and she laid on the bed with him while scanning channels for his favorite shows. She asked him what he did that day. He said he played at the park with friends, came home and ate, and napped. When he woke up and called Daniela, she didn’t answer, and he was afraid. He wasn’t tall enough to reach the doorknob to go look for her. He cried himself to sleep, hoping his mama would come get him.
She kissed his face and said, “Mama is here now and you’re safe. What do you think about getting a new doorknob you can reach, and your own special cell phone with Mama’s number? You’re a big boy now and can call me when you’re scared.”
“Yeah. I want a red one like the boys at the park carry in their backpacks.”
“Red it is; and you can go with me tomorrow to pick it out.”
“Thanks, Mommy.”
She knew he was probably hungry, for it had been a while since lunch. She kept mac and cheese, green beans, and his favorite protein—chicken fingers—in the fridge for quick meals.
He settled in watching Sponge Bob and she said, “David, I’m going to the kitchen to fix your dinner. I won’t be long, and you’ll get to eat off a TV tray in my bed tonight.”
“OK,” he said, with his eyes never leaving the TV screen.
She left the door open and hurried downstairs to heat up his dinner. She didn’t want him to wander downstairs impatient for her to return. Although the crime scene unit had reduced in size since she heard him cry, agents about could scare him.
She microwaved his dinner and placed some fresh peaches beside his tippy cup and headed upstairs. She told the special agent what she was doing and said she needed to settle her son. He nodded.
Kicking off her shoes, she joined him in the middle of the bed with his special TV tray and dinner. He sat up and started eating as he watched cartoons. She was feeling thankful he wasn’t up when Daniela was abducted and was safe. She waited for him to finish and took the tray and said, “I’ll be downstairs, just call out if you need me.”
He rolled over on the pillow after she took the tray and continued watching TV. “OK, Mommy.”
With his little stomach full, he might fall back asleep. She hoped. At least until their home was emptied of law enforcement.
Daniela was brought home by one of the agents who raided the warehouse where she was being held. Distraught, with a busted lip and blackened eyes, she looked at Sydney with tears in her eyes. “Is David OK?”
“Yes, he’s upstairs in my bed watching cartoons.”
She sighed with relief. Sydney wanted to hug her, but didn’t want to contaminate possible evidence from her clothes or body. The special agent in charge asked to go somewhere private as the medical team was parking. Daniela said, “My suite, as long as the door stays open.”
The medical team gave her a first-rate physical examination, bagging evidence
as they treated her for injuries. She’d fought her attackers and lost the battle. A rape kit was unnecessary, for she’d not been violated in that way.
Thomason arrived behind the medical unit to observe Daniela’s interview. The agent in charge had set up the video equipment to record her statement. An agent at the door let him in and he found Sydney in the kitchen making chicken soup for Isabella.
“How’s your son?” he asked.
“He’s upstairs watching cartoons, probably asleep by now.”
“Did he witness any of the brutality of Daniela’s kidnapping?”
“No, I checked. He was scared because Daniela wasn’t here when he awakened from his afternoon nap. He couldn’t reach the doorknob to get out. Something I’m fixing tomorrow, as it’s a fire hazard. But it could have been why he wasn’t taken today. They didn’t know he was here.”
“Good.”
“Let’s see what Daniela can add about her kidnappers.”
The agent in charge clicked on the video recorder and began asking questions. When they were satisfied she’d told everything she remembered, they called it a night after handing her his card and said, “Call me if anything else comes to mind.”
They packed up their equipment and left. Captain Thomason lingered and said, “I’m leaving an agent with you. She’ll stand the watch tonight and we’ll look at things tomorrow to see our next step.”
“Thank you.”
“Sleep well.”
The agent charged with guarding them during the night was briefed by the captain before leaving. He said, “Call me directly if there’s a problem, and activate the security system on my leaving. Our techs have updated her unit with new features, overriding what the Chinese did to force entry.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sydney waited until Daniela had showered and changed clothes before bringing her soup. She sat up on her bed and tried to take a few bites to regain her strength.
Chance Page 10
