by Joyce
"Neither of us can be sure it wasn't the head injury."
"Maybe it was. And maybe I didn't really see David put his foot down on the brake. Maybe I didn't see the surprise on his face when he didn't stop.” She sat back against the seat. “In that case, you don't have anything to worry about. There won't be any evidence of tampering with David's car. The kidnappers will let Bryce go tomorrow because she doesn't know who they are."
His fingers drummed on the seat beside him. “Do you believe that I didn't have Bryce kidnapped and that I didn't murder David?"
Rae searched her brain. She was convinced before that he was innocent. Only hearing Duke in her dream convinced her otherwise. This new demand changed everything she thought about him. “If you plan to turn yourself in for David's murder, then I believe you."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"I have the recording of the last conversation with the kidnapers.” Al backed up his friend.
"I know what I heard. I know that I have to trust myself or I might as well go home. There must be some other explanation for it."
Steve attempted to make sense of what she was saying. “What other explanation? What did you hear him say?"
She thought about the words before she said them out loud. “Just keep her well for another day or so. That should be plenty of time for Steve to finish this off. Then we'll be on Easy Street. Steve knows what he's doing. He'll take care of it."
"Is that possible?” Steve demanded angrily. “What other meaning could the words have? No wonder you think I'm involved."
"Steve! She's crazy,” Al said. “I don't know how she thinks she heard Duke say those things but—"
"Never mind,” Steve told him bluntly. “It's enough that I believe she heard him."
Rae thought fast. “If we take the easy meaning away from the words, isn't it possible that Duke hatched the plan by himself and wants Mary to think that you're behind it?"
"I suppose that's possible.” He frowned angrily at her. “You could've considered that before you ran off to prove I was guilty!"
"I'd still think the same thing except for this new demand,” she reiterated briskly. “If you heard it about someone else, you'd think so, too!"
"You're right. It sounds pretty damning. I suppose you didn't go to the police with the information because you were worried about Duke hurting Bryce?"
"We don't have much time. But we still have a chance to find her before anyone makes that final decision. I know she's still alive. I have to connect with her again to try to locate her."
Steve agreed. “Maybe there's some way we could find out if Duke is guilty before we run around trying to prove that theory. Al, get on the phone and access information about Duke. Make sure no one says anything to Duke."
"What do you want to know?” Al questioned as he dialed the number.
"Bank statements, money transfers, any involvement with Mary,” Rae answered his question. “We're looking for any link between Duke and Mary."
Steve nodded to Al's questioning look. “Do it!"
They were getting close to the estate. TV news vans with satellite feed were setting up. Reporters were making the long walk up the drive since their vehicles weren't allowed on the property. Security was tight. Four men at the gate searched everyone who came through on foot. The only cars in front of the house were three police cars. Their occupants stood alongside the cars, talking. They all waited for word from Steve Williams, the ex-CEO of Solutions.
It reminded Rae of a circus or carnival. There was a macabre party atmosphere about the group spread out around the lawn. Inside the house, she could imagine Alabaster, Michael, and Tomas wondering what was going to happen.
"We can still leave.” Al tried to reason with Steve while the limo driver swept around the crowd. “They don't know you're here. There's no reason—"
"There's every reason.” Steve explained his actions calmly. “We've known each other most of our lives. I hope I've been as good a friend to you as you've been to me. You know I have to do this."
"But they're gonna kill her anyway.” Al's voice was a cold dose of reality in the warm car. “We all know it! You're ruining your life for a pipe dream that she might come home alive. I don't know if Duke is really involved or not. But I do know that these type kidnappings don't end well. You haven't talked to her recently. Bryce may already be dead."
Steve put his hand on his friend's shoulder. “I appreciate your loyalty. But I have to take the chance that whoever is doing this will get their pound of my flesh with this and let her go. It could happen. None of us know any better than that. And this is David's baby, Al! We couldn't save him but maybe we can still save her."
Al didn't speak. He slumped against the car door.
"Besides,” Steve quipped, “I can hire a host of expensive lawyers who can say I was crazy. Or that it never happened. Isn't that popular these days?"
"I swear to God, Steve,” Al told him, “I'll find who did this."
"You help Sharin take care of Bryce, if we get her back. I can handle the rest."
The limo driver started slowly going forward again as the conversation ended. People made way for the big, black car. Some of them started running when they saw it pass, realizing that they might miss the big announcement.
The security guards got out of the limo, clearing the way for Steve. Photographers took pictures and tried to get closer to him.
"This is it.” Steve grabbed the door handle. “Don't get out here, Rae. They might take your picture and put it all together. We had an agreement."
"It's okay. I'm your lover, remember?"
Some of Steve's old confidence came back into his face. “I wish that were true. You and I are a strange combination but—"
Rae leaned close to him and kissed him hard on the mouth. Her lips lingered on his. Her heart beat overtime, drumming against her chest. She threaded her fingers through his thick hair and plunged boldly into his mouth. She stayed close to him when their lips parted. “I'm sorry I lost faith."
He smiled and brushed her mouth with his. “When you touch me, something happens. It's like a movie playing through my head. An x-rated movie. Do you know what I mean?"
She knew there wasn't time for any more between them. “I know what you mean. I can't explain it."
"Thanks. I was afraid I was losing it."
"Part of the service.” She climbed out of the back of the limo with him.
They walked hand-in-hand towards the makeshift podium that Steve's men set up for his announcement. Rae kept her head high despite the constant popping of camera flashes in her face. She didn't care anymore if anyone put it all together. She only hoped Lessie wasn't watching with Dr. Salter before she could explain it to her.
Steve stood behind the podium. The afternoon sun was slanting across the house. He pulled out a statement he wrote on the back of an envelope. His hands were shaking as he adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat.
"Thanks for coming. All of you know the general gist of what I'm going to say here today so let's get it over with. My brother, David, died about a year ago and I was responsible for his death. He died in a car wreck a short way from here. I won't go into the details. Suffice it to say that I'm turning myself over to the authorities today. Thank you."
There were shouts of questions that rained through the air like snow flurries. How did you do it? Why did you do it? What made you confess?
Steve ignored them all and stepped back from the podium. Police and lawyers immediately engulfed him. Al and the security people kept the reporters away. The police took his arm. The lawyers walked beside him, counseling him on what he could and couldn't say.
Rae watched the parade of the limo and the police cars leave the estate. She was stunned by the shifting events. There was no time to get close to him. When it was over, she stood in the kitchen between Tomas, Alabaster, and the rest of the household staff. They huddled together to watch it all again on television. A pretty blond rep
orter summed it up for them.
"We don't know as yet what prompted software tycoon Steve Williams to confess to the death of his brother. We don't even know if that death will be ruled an accidental death or actually homicide. We do know that he was brought in for questioning today. He's at the downtown Atlanta PD with his lawyers and the District Attorney. We'll be bringing you further coverage when we know what's happened. Back to you, Alan."
"Why would he say such a thing?” Tomas wanted to know. “Mr. Williams didn't kill his brother."
"Never mind.” Alabaster took charge of the situation. “Let's get ready for dinner."
When the young man left them, the housekeeper shook her head. “He can't save Bryce this way! Those devils didn't make him do this for no reason! They're going to ruin him and kill Bryce. His brother wouldn't want him to destroy his life."
"He doesn't have much choice, does he?"
"He did it to save Bryce,” Sharin said from the doorway. “He loves her after all."
Alabaster frowned. “Was there ever any doubt?"
Sharin seemed dazed. “He's lost everything. His company. His freedom."
"You're pretty sure he killed David.” Rae jumped into the conversation. “You've said it before. But how did he kill him?"
Sharin shrugged. “He tampered with the car, of course."
"I heard that you told the police that David asked to have the airbags taken out."
"He did. In fact, I gave the garage the order and the check to do the job. Steve knew that the airbag wasn't there. He did something to the brakes so that David wouldn't be able to stop the car."
"What makes you say such a darned fool thing?” Alabaster demanded huffily.
"Steve wanted it all. You don't know him like I do.” Sharin regained some of her queenly manner. “He wanted me and he wanted Solutions. David was threatening to take both of us away."
"David and Steve settled their differences.” Alabaster addressed Rae in particular. “There was no reason—"
"Well then, maybe it was me they both wanted.” Sharin was defiant. “Steve and I were good together."
"You were never—” the housekeeper began to deny.
"Oh, yes. We were!” Sharin gloated. “David would have killed Steve if he'd been able to get here to him."
Rae considered her words. “How did Steve know to tamper with the car just in time for you to tell David about your infidelity?"
Sharin was confused. “What?"
"You told David. He threw off his wedding band and screamed at you. Then he got in the car and raced out of the drive. Are you saying you and Steve killed him together? Steve cut the brake line then you told David about the whole thing? Is that how it happened?"
"You're a witch!” Sharin glanced at Alabaster. “How could you know he left that way? I didn't tell—"
"It doesn't matter.” Rae continued to pummel her with words. “Did you help Steve kill David?"
"No! I would never! I only guessed that Steve was responsible. He stood the most to gain. He moved Bryce and me into his house so we could be together. He begged me to take him back again."
She was lying. “The police might not see it that way, Sharin. If Steve tells them that the two of you were going to be together and tells the story the way you just told us—"
"Leave me alone!” Sharin fled the kitchen screaming. “Leave me alone!"
"Well!” Alabaster took a deep breath. “That woman needs to be put away! How she could think that of Steve, I declare, I don't know!"
"She's gonna be our boss now,” Tomas reminded her as he returned to the kitchen.
The housekeeper made a strangled noise in her throat. “I think I'd leave before that happened!"
He agreed. “She's one crazy lady."
Rae went to her room to call Lessie. She wasn't sure what to do or say at that point. It wasn't over but the path she'd been following looked lost to her.
* * * *
"It's about time you called.” Lessie berated her without saying hello. “Where have you been, Rae? I don't need to ask what you've been doing."
Rae's headache was finally gone but she felt more confused than she allowed Steve to know. He had enough going on without her problems, too. “I'm sorry, it happened so quickly—"
"Just tell me how you fell back in with him again? You said he was responsible for the girl being kidnapped!"
"He's not. It just seemed that way until—"
"Until he found you and sweet talked his way around you?"
"Lessie, I—"
"You come home now, Rae Harris! You hear me? You're so mixed up—"
"I can't come home until it's over,” Rae answered. “I'm not drinking. And this is complicated."
"It doesn't sound that complicated to me,” her grandmother insisted.
Rae clutched the phone until her knuckles hurt. She took a deep breath and loosened her grip. “I'm okay, Lessie. What good is being strong if you can't leave home with that strength?"
There was a long silence at the other end. “I knew it would come to this. You have to test yourself, don't you? All right. But be careful. Don't let him be your downfall."
"I won't. Thanks, Lessie."
"Don't thank me!” She laughed. “I'm not giving you permission to ruin yourself after all the hard work I put into you."
"I know. I'll talk to you later. I love you.” Rae hung up the phone thoughtfully. She sat down on her bed and stared at the room.
It was four p.m. on what should be the last day that the kidnappers had Bryce. If she believed that it would work out that way, she would pack her bags and go home. They promised to give her back. Steve followed the letter of their demands. But Rae didn't believe Bryce was safe. Duke spoke too freely in front of her.
In the beginning, they tried to hide their identities. Something changed. Bryce would be able to tell the police who took her. That was her death sentence. Duke and Mary didn't ask for enough money to take them far enough to escape capture. If Bryce identified them, their faces would be in every post office. What changed?
Al meant well. But the force behind them looking for Bryce would die with Steve out of the picture. Even with the money still flowing, the security personnel would get lax. She'd seen it a dozen times. There was very little time left. Bryce might have twenty-four hours. If the kidnappers didn't get impatient or scared. Rae couldn't afford to make another mistake at this point. Duke and Mary had all they wanted. All that was left was the fulfillment of their end of the bargain.
There was a knock on her door. She was surprised to find Jeff there, looking for her.
"Steve said I should get this to you as soon as I could.” He grinned at her. “It's the stuff Al found about Duke."
Rae took the information from him. “He found it! Another twenty-thousand dollars from the same bank in the Cayman's."
"Looks like whoever paid Mary that money also paid Duke on the same day."
"Can we find out whose account it is?"
"I don't know. Al's been working on it but those accounts are hard to crack. They get paid a lot of money to hide their client's tracks. I might be able to get in and find out but it will take some time."
"Okay, keep trying. Thanks for getting this to me. Do you know where Al is?"
Rae found Al in the library listening to the last tape of the kidnappers. She sat down and listened with him. “You hear the difference?"
She nodded. “It's not the same voice. Both disguised but this one is different."
"You saw the bank statement?” Al sat back in Steve's chair. “Duke is definitely in on this. He's worked for Steve for five years. I guess the money was too good to pass up."
"Does he know yet?” She looked at the damning evidence in her hands. “Have you accused him of anything?"
"No. Steve was afraid to make any move against him."
"But we don't have any choice. Bryce knows who he is."
Al made a face at her. “And you're sure of that? You're willing to risk Bryc
e's life on your visions?"
"I worked for the FBI for seven years. I worked sixty cases of kidnapping."
He stared at her. “You're a professional? Or you used to be."
"You mean before the hocus-pocus?” She smiled at him. “I used it on the job, Al. I know it seems weird but it works. I've seen Bryce. I'm telling you that something's changed in the kidnapping besides the caller's voice. At the beginning, they were disguising themselves so Bryce wouldn't know who they were. Why do you think they stopped letting Steve talk to her?"
Al considered her words. “Suppose you're right. Shouldn't we wait? Steve feels sure they're going to let Bryce go."
Rae leaned forward. “You and I both know that isn't going to happen. Bryce knows who these people are. Steve's done what they wanted. They didn't ask for enough money to live out their lives running from the FBI. Once Bryce tells everyone who took her from the office that day, that money won't mean much. They aren't going to give her to Sharin."
Al shook his head. “So, what do we do?"
"We set Duke up to lead us to Bryce."
Chapter Fourteen
"I found something.” Jeff came into the library to tell Rae.
"What's up?” Al asked him.
"You told me to find something that linked Mary and Duke.” He held up a copy of a document. “They're married. Mary's real name is Barneby. She used her maiden name, Francis, to buy the shop."
Rae looked at Al. “Is it possible that whoever hired them didn't know that either?"
"We're assuming someone hired them,” Al reminded her. “Duke could be doing this on his own."
"Not with those bank deposits,” Rae responded. “But we could be back to a corporate reason to kidnap Bryce. Someone hires Duke, who knows the family and their habits intimately. He gives it that personal touch that a mercenary group couldn't. Duke insists that they divide up the money between him and Mary for safe keeping."
"Did Mary and Duke live together in that house?” Al asked Jeff.
"We don't have the information processed on fingerprints and stuff from there,” Jeff answered.
