He still looked troubled. “Yeah, but that’s kinda technical. I just hate . . . deceit.”
“That’s one of the reasons I love you,” Olivia replied. “I’m not saying that lying is ever right. But. . . .” She had a thought. “You know how we were talking about Tanakh, and the Bible? Well, remind me to tell you the story of Rahab the harlot. The prostitute. Remember Joshua and Jericho? Well, in a way, she made that whole thing possible. She helped Joshua out. By not telling the exact truth. . . . in fact, by telling a plain old lie.”
“Come on!” Ethan exclaimed. “In the Bible?”
“Uh-huh.” She squeezed his hand again. “I’m done with my fettuccine. Can we get some spumone?”
* * * * *
9:35 PM, EDT: Agent Burgess sat at the kitchen table, his jacket draped over a nearby chair, one hand idly scratching under Daisy’s chin as he surveyed the printouts and laptop before him. “It’s crunch time, folks,” he announced. “The deadline is getting close. Gordon, are you ready?”
“Of course I’m ready,” Cassie’s father replied. “I’ve been ready.” He glanced down at his own laptop. “All I have to do is press ‘Enter’ and the funds will be transferred. I just want to get our girl back.”
Mrs. Hixson, sitting at the table nursing her third cup of tea, looked worried. “I’m just afraid that we’ve waited too long. I don’t like holding out until the last minute this way. Doesn’t it give the kidnappers the wrong idea? Like we’re undecided or something?”
The agent shook his head. “No, Barbara, in our experience, that’s not how these people think. I don’t think they’re standing there with a gun to Cassie’s head, waiting for the deadline to pass. They probably don’t want to kill her. That would take it to a new level, and they know it. They just want the money. Even if we were to let the deadline pass, they’d probably just contact us again, with more threats, before they did anything. But we’re not going to do that.”
Dr. Hixson rubbed his eyes. “You keep saying ‘probably.’ I know you can’t be certain. But can you please explain to me again why we’ve waited, now that you have a suspect?”
“It’s because we have a suspect, Gordon. Using the bank in Andorra makes him a serious risk for overseas flight. Overseas escape, I should say. We’re working with Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration to keep him from leaving the country. All those TSA agents who make your lives miserable at the airports? Well, this is where they earn their money. We’ve even tried to get his passport revoked, but that involves the State Department, and we simply haven’t had time. We’re doing all we can.” He looked Dr. Hixson in the eye. “I truly believe you’ll have Cassie back in a few days. That’s our main concern. But we also need to catch this man so that there won’t be any Cassies in the future.”
“I understand,” Dr. Hixson said, his voice clear and certain. “So let’s get her back.” For the first time in the agent’s presence, he lowered his head, as did Mrs. Hixson. “Father, into thy hands we commend Cassandra’s spirit, for Jesus’ sake.”
He poised his forefinger over the button and looked at his wife. She put her own forefinger on his, and together they pressed “Enter.”
* * * * *
10:00 PM, EDT: The yellow crawl moved across the bottom of television screens throughout the region: The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the following counties until 4:15 AM: Meigs . . . Rhea . . . Van Buren . . . Warren . . . York . . . Storm moving east from Haywood and Madison Counties, NC at 30 MPH . . . Severe lightning and hail reported in some localities . . . Flooding likely in low-lying areas . . . Residents advised to stay indoors or exercise caution when driving.
Engrossed in their DVD, the Mendels didn’t see the warning. They were watching Ethan Edwards pursuing the renegades who had kidnapped his niece Debbie.
* * * * *
10:25 PM, EDT: Cassie and Brandon sat on the edge of her bed in silence, wondering what would happen next. When they had gone into Cassie’s “bedroom” to talk, after the Goth escaped, they had heard the bolt click into place for the first time in days. Dayle had locked them into the little black chamber, ending their freedom of movement.
Cassie looked at her new friend. “Well, here we are. Do you think he locked the door to keep us from doing anything else to that woman, or just to shut us up like mice in a trap?”
“Probably both,” Brandon replied. “Maybe he was trying to protect us from her. Once she recovered from what you did to her, who knows what she might have done? I think maybe she’s crazy. I still don’t understand why she hit me that way, for no reason.”
“Pardon my asking, but does it still hurt?”
“Nope. I almost puked when she did it, but I’m good now, thanks. I’ll bet she’s not. I thought you said that you never did any sparring, when you were doing your workout?”
“It’s true,” she replied, looking at her hands. “I don’t think I’ve ever hit anyone in my life, except playing around.” She punched his arm, smiling. “Like that. See, I know where things are, like the liver and kidneys. When I’m training, sometimes my friend Royal will yell ‘Liver shot!’ or something, and I’ll go for that part of the bag. In real life, I’ve never even slapped anybody’s face. . . . But I was serious about breaking your nose again. Royal helps with my workout, but my dad taught me self-defense.”
“I believe you, I believe you,” Brandon said, holding up his hands. “This guy Royal sounds interesting. I don’t know if I want to meet him or not.”
“Oh, you’d really like him,” she smiled. “You’d respect him. Did I tell you he was, um, handicapped? He can’t bend one leg. It’s totally stiff. When he was a little boy— “
She was interrupted by Dayle’s voice from the white room. “Brandon, Cassandra, come out here immediately.” They heard the door unlock.
“I’ve been waiting for this,” Brandon said as they stood up. He put an arm around her shoulder in a quick hug. “I never did thank you. For taking my part, jumping on that woman. Maybe it was instinct, but it means a lot to me.”
She hugged his waist. “Maybe you can return the favor sometime. Let’s go see what His Majesty wants.”
They walked into the white room hand in hand and stood before the video screen. “What’s on your mind?” Cassie said. “Are you gonna call me a hypocrite now, because I gave that freak a taste of her own medicine?”
Dayle wasn’t smirking this time. “No, that was just the kind of immature reaction I’d expect from an adolescent. But you’re certainly a hypocrite, quoting your Bible one minute, and then jumping into bed at the first opportunity with a boy who’s a total stranger. I’m not surprised. You simply confirmed my suspicions. I thought that you were just another typical ‘Christian’ slut, and now you’ve proved it. In any case, I’m not going to punish you for what you did to Skip. She was out of line in attacking Brandon. I’ve already dealt with her.”
“So, why did she hit me?” Brandon demanded. “And why have you locked us in here?”
“Brandon, I said that I’d already dealt with her. I don’t owe you any further explanations. I’ve warned Cassandra that I sometimes have a hard time keeping Skip under control. You should have learned that lesson when she broke your nose. Maybe your new bedmate pushed her over the edge, spouting her Bible verses. But I called you out here to give Cassandra some news she might like to hear.”
“Well, then, get on with it,” Cassie shrugged. “Brandon and I are anxious to jump back into bed. That’s all we live for now. Just like a pair of bunnies.” Brandon burst out laughing. “But you didn’t answer his question. Why the sudden locked doors?”
Dayle hesitated, frowning. She’s very flippant for a girl who’s just compromised her beliefs. She’s no slut. If she were, I wouldn’t have chosen her. Where’s the shame and remorse? Where’s the self-reproach? And why is the boy laughing? He pushed the thoughts aside and parried her question. “Well, child, now that the two of you are so close,
why does Brandon need his own room? But the real reason is that I want to keep you in the same place. You don’t deserve privacy. You’ve lost that privilege.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Cassie replied. “Like I said before, you talk too much. What’s this great announcement you have for us?”
“Not for Brandon, just for you,” Dayle replied. “They took their own sweet time, but your parents have paid the ransom. Apparently, they finally decided you’re worth it.”
* * * * *
10:35 PM EDT: “I still can’t believe your boss let you borrow this thing,” Celeste said, standing next to the dark green delivery van parked behind her father’s funeral home. Yellow letters along the vehicle’s sides proclaimed Mountainview Nursery & Garden Supplies.
“I just said I had to help a friend move,” Roy said, grinning. “If that’s not God’s honest truth, what is? ‘Course, I had to make a few deliveries first, to some florists, before I came here. You think it’ll work?” He pulled open the rear doors so she could inspect the interior.
“I can still smell the flowers,” she said, climbing up in the van and looking around. “Yeah, I think it’s perfect. You driving, somebody else in the passenger seat, two more in the back . . . no, three more, after we get Cassie. And Ethan said he was bringing bungee cord. That might help tie down the bike.”
Roy groaned. “Oh, Celeste, do you really have to bring that along? What good’s it gonna do? It’ll just get in the way. And it’s not like you’re gonna be riding it. You’ll be with the rest of us.”
The girl frowned, sliding one of the arms of her black leather jacket up and down. “I can’t explain it, Roy,” she finally replied. “I just think we might need her. I know I can’t ride her to the hangar, even if I wanted to, ‘cause she’s so noisy. But we don’t know how this is gonna go down. And once we’ve got Cassie, I can follow you home, or you can follow me. That might be a good idea. I could ride ahead and clear the way for you. The others will have plenty of room. Either way, it’s good to have a second vehicle.” She smiled, trying to be light-hearted for a moment. “Anyway, it gives me an excuse to wear my black leathers. I don’t do that very much.”
“Uh-huh. That’s really important. I’d hate it if you just had to wear dark clothes like everybody else. Are those shoes gonna be okay for ridin? ’”
“Oh, sure. I could ride barefoot if I had to. C’mon, let’s get her up into the van.” She hopped down and walked to the bike, giving it a quick last-minute inspection.
She was interrupted by a blaze of lightning from the south. She counted silently: one . . . two . . . three . . . When the thunder rumbled at nine, she stopped. About two miles. I hope we don’t have a downpour. That won’t help.
“We need some kind of ramp,” Roy said, looking around the small parking lot. “Some boards or something.”
“I’ve already thought of that. Come help me.” She led him to a steel storage shed at the back of the lot, and unlocked it with one of her keys. She flipped on the overhead bulb dangling over the various supplies and castoffs. “See there?” she smiled happily. “It’s a perfect ramp, and we can lay it down flat in the van.”
Roy sighed, then laughed. “This night is just gettin’ stranger all the time.” The two of them carried the old casket lid to the back of the truck, and propped it up.
* * * * *
10:40 PM EDT: “Oh, Cassie, that’s so great,” Brandon whispered, slipping his arm around her waist. He didn’t care if Dayle saw him or not.
She stared up at the man’s image, her face blank, her mind awash with questions. Is he telling me the truth? Is he just playing another cruel game? Where did Dad get the money? How is it possible? Is it over now? She swayed for an instant, leaning into Brandon, but then straightened. She wasn’t going to give this man the satisfaction of a show of emotion.
Now Dayle’s familiar smirk returned. He picked up the fountain pen and began twirling it between his fingertips. “You needn’t say anything, child. I know that this is a big moment for you. Although I must confess that I never expected to see you speechless. It takes a lot to shut you up, doesn’t it?”
Off-camera, the hidden doorway in his office opened silently, and Maclean entered the room. Dressed in her Goth costume for what she hoped would be the last time, she had just navigated the narrow passageway from her makeshift bedroom to finish up her business with Dayle. She closed the door quietly and leaned against the wall, waiting for him to finish talking. He glanced at her momentarily and nodded, acknowledging her presence, then Cassie’s voice brought his attention back to the camera.
“So they paid. Congratulations,” she said, her voice steady, looking up at his image with contempt. “You’ve managed to bankrupt one of the best men on this earth, when you didn’t even need his money. But if you think that’s going to change my father . . . or ruin him . . . you don’t know who you’re dealing with.” She hesitated, then allowed herself a smile. “He serves a different Master than you serve.”
Dayle’s face flushed as he scowled. “I know perfectly well who he serves, you stupid little bitch,” he said, fighting to maintain control, “and I consider that to be his problem, not mine. I’m interested in who you serve. And we’re finally finding out, aren’t we? Didn’t you make some clever remark about bunnies a few minutes ago?”
She looked at the boy beside her and smiled, her eyes warm, and took his hand. “Brandon, I think it’s time we tell this old blowhard the facts of life. What do you think?”
Brandon nodded, eager for this moment. “I know some better words than ‘blowhard.’ But you go right ahead, Cassie.”
Dayle’s confused look almost made them laugh. “Brandon and I like each other very much,” Cassie said, squeezing his hand. “We’ve learned a lot from each other . . . right?” She looked at the boy, who nodded. “But I’m sorry to inform you, you dummy, that we’ve never had sex, or made love, or whatever filthy names you probably call it. When he told me the truth about his role in your nasty game —” Dayle’s face flushed with surprise — “yes, when he had the guts to tell me about the way you recruited him, I threatened to break his nose again. Next time you see Skip, ask her if she thinks I could have done it. But you know what? I didn’t need to threaten him. You may have found him on the streets, but Brandon Fox is more of a gentleman at eighteen than you’ve ever been in your whole life. You are so shallow, being so concerned with my sex life. I’ll give my body to a man of God’s choosing, when the time comes, but my body isn’t the center of my life. It’s just where I live. You haven’t changed my soul or my spirit one bit — except to strengthen them.”
“It’s true, chump,” Brandon added, looking up at the screen. “Well, I’ve never been called a gentleman before, but the rest is true. I’m not even keeping your down payment. It’s under the mattress where you had me sleeping. And just for the record, Cassie’s changed me a lot more than I’ve changed her. Who knows? I might even become a Christian. I might not be man enough, like that Alvin York guy. But even if I don’t, I’ve finally learned what a real Christian is, because you locked me up with one. Thanks for that.”
Cassie spoke again, her voice full of wonder. “You think you’re so brilliant. Can’t you see past the physical? Do you really think that a little thing like sex, or lack of sex, is the key to a woman’s beliefs? Or violence? Did you think that a beating was gonna do anything but leave bruises? Here’s a news flash, Mr. Intellectual: I’m not my body. I’m inside my body, looking out at you. I’m so thankful that Jesus really understands women!”
Dayle stared at the cameras, his mind reeling, anger and confusion and a sudden sense of failure all battling for supremacy. His mouth worked wordlessly as his hands gripped the edges of the desk. Finally, he spoke.
“We have the money. But you’re not going anywhere, either one of you. You’re going to be very, very sorry before this night is over.”
“Bring it on, gramps,” Brandon laughed. “Are you gonna do it yourself this time, or w
ill you still be hiding behind that greasy-haired Medusa?”
Cassie smiled. “‘In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what man can do unto me.’”
The screen went blank. Cassie and Brandon shared a hug of triumph, then walked back to the black room. The lock clicked again.
* * * * *
11:05 PM EDT: The moment Dayle turned off the camera, Maclean was shaking with anger, trying not to scream at him. “What did you mean, telling them that they’re not going anywhere? You lunatic, your plan has failed. You brought that hoodlum in to corrupt her, and she corrupted him! And she’s right, by the way: you always exaggerated the importance of the ‘seduction.’ This is why I hate men.” She started walking toward him. “You remind me of a priest. Have you ever even known a woman?”
The conversation with Cassie and Brandon had shaken him. Now, his assistant’s words pushed him over the edge. He looked at her, his eyes blazing. “You forget yourself, Maclean,” he said in a guttural voice. “We will see this plan through to the end, you and I. Have you forgotten who we serve? We are not allowed to fail.”
THE ABDUCTION OF CASSANDRA Page 28
