"Look, I understand that you're very invested in this case," Tracy said. "But I've also been instructed to keep you out of it."
"The kidnapper isn't going to keep me out of it."
"Well, when he contacts you, let me know, and we'll go from there."
"You're enjoying this, aren't you? Keeping me in the dark. Putting me a in box."
"Actually, not as much as I expected I would," Tracy replied, a note of candor in her voice. "I've learned a lot about you in the past twenty-four hours. I suspect some of our mutual associates at the academy already knew about some of what you lived through as a child."
"Some of them did," she admitted. "Friends confide in each other."
"It's usually those confidences that make people cross lines they shouldn't cross."
Which was another way of saying that Tracy wasn't going to cross any lines for her. She let out a small sigh. "Is there anything you can tell me?"
"I think you should watch your back and stay out of sight."
"Because Johnny will be gunning for me?"
"You said that; I didn't. If you want to reconsider protection, I'll talk it over with Warren."
"No. I can take care of myself."
"We're doing everything we can to find Hayley. Nothing that happened yesterday has changed that."
"Have you had a chance to speak to Mark Jansen? Was he able to provide any information on the person who contacted him for the ransom?"
"Bree. What part of I can't tell you anything don't you understand?"
She blew out a frustrated breath. "Fine."
"You're going to have to trust us to do our jobs. You need to stand down. Stay put wherever you are, although I suspect you're not too far from Nathan Bishop. Let us handle this. Don't go to Johnny. Don't get in the way. You have to think about your daughter, not yourself."
"Believe me, that's the only person I'm thinking about. I'll be in touch if I hear anything." She set down the phone, thinking that had gone about as badly as she'd expected. She was out of the loop. She was cut off from all communication. She definitely couldn't confront Johnny, which was what she really wanted to do. If he had done this, then this was between him and her. But if he had done this, then he wasn't ready to have that meet yet, or it would have already happened. He was calling all the shots.
She did wonder how Johnny was planning to keep Hayley out of sight. His business, his family, his life was in Chicago. And Hayley's face had been all over the news.
He had to have stashed her somewhere outside of the city. Maybe it was close enough to where he could visit her but far enough away that no one would put the two of them together.
Someone in his family could be watching her—like his mother. She'd always adored Johnny. He was her oldest son, and he could do no wrong.
Tapping her fingers restlessly on the table, she thought about her next move.
The answer was right in front of her—Sierra. It was possible Tracy had spoken to Sierra, too, or would be speaking to her. But she might be farther down the list. And Bree might have a better chance of getting information from Sierra than Tracy would. Not that Sierra had ever been a fan, but they did come from the same place. She had to give it a shot.
Getting up from the table, she walked over to the balcony door and opened it.
The weather was gray and cold, and the clouds sweeping over the city were foreboding—perhaps a portent of what was to come.
She shivered, but she was ready to fight back, whatever it took.
* * *
"I don't think this is a good idea," Nathan said as he drove Bree across town to the Bella Beauty Salon run by Sierra Littman.
"I'm not going to be in any danger at the salon," she said. "And I can't just do nothing. Sierra is a former friend. Maybe I can turn her to our side."
"How are you going to do that? The girl has always been mad for Johnny. And she might have liked you before you hooked up with Johnny, but after that she hated you. Why would she tell you anything now?"
"Because the last thing Sierra wants in Johnny's life is the child he had with his ex-girlfriend. If I can convince her that helping me get Hayley back will return her life to normal with Johnny, I think she might be willing to help."
He had to admit it wasn't a completely bad strategy. "Sierra was always very selfish."
"Exactly. And I doubt she wants to be a stepmom, not judging by the lifestyle photos she posted online."
"But you're overlooking the fact that Sierra is controlled by Johnny and she might be more scared of him than she is concerned about being a stepmother to your daughter."
"I don't think Johnny hurts the women in his life. He never lifted a hand to me."
"You were scared of him when you left, Bree."
"That's because I was starting to see what he did to other people. I was overhearing odd conversations. The police seemed to be very interested in Johnny's actions. I was questioned several times about several incidents, including that one with Stix. I knew I had to get out of the relationship, but it still took me almost too long to get up the nerve to go. You know when I actually made the decision to leave?"
"I know when, but I don't know why."
"My jeans wouldn't snap."
He raised an eyebrow. "Okay. I was not expecting you to say that."
"I knew I was starting to show. Johnny was going to notice. He was already asking me why I'd stopped modeling when I was getting so many calls after my photo was in the paper. It was just a matter of time before he would know I was pregnant. That's the day I called you to help me get out of town."
"I'm glad you finally did make the decision, even if it was just due to the snap on your jeans. As for Johnny's potential for violence, I certainly saw the raging, willing-to-kill side of his personality after you left, and I suspect that's grown stronger in the last decade. I think Sierra will be scared of going against him. He has a lot of power over her. I'm sure he bought her the salon she's running."
"Well, I won't know until I talk to her, until I get a read on the situation." She paused, glancing over at him. "You need to stay outside, Nathan. Sierra hated you even more than she hated me. I don't think double-teaming her is a good idea."
"I hate for you to be alone with her."
"You don't think I can handle a hundred-pound hair stylist?" she asked dryly. "Believe me, I have taken down men much bigger, much stronger, and definitely more dangerous than her."
"She might have security at the salon."
"I doubt Johnny's bodyguards are hanging around the salon, at least not during the day. They might drive her and pick her up, but I think she'll be on her own."
"If she's there."
"It's Saturday, a busy day in the business. I have a good shot. So, you'll stay in the truck this time?"
"I'll consider it," he reluctantly agreed, putting his attention back on the road. "He didn't want to let Bree out of his sight for a second, but Sierra would probably react negatively to his presence, so he'd go with Bree's plan.
A few moments later, he was able to find a parking spot a few doors down from the salon. From his vantage point, he could see the front door, and if Bree needed help, he could get there quickly.
"It's going to be fine," she reassured him.
"That's usually my line to you," he muttered, having a bad feeling about it all.
"And when you say it, I try to believe it. You should do the same."
"I'm working on it. Good luck, Bree."
"I'll be back soon." She got out of the truck and walked down the street.
He kept his gaze on her until she entered the salon, and then watched the door for several minutes after. He didn't see anyone follow her inside. Hopefully, she was right about the salon being a safe place for this very dangerous conversation.
But all he could do was wait.
* * *
The salon was busy as Bree had expected, with eight stylists working on clients, and two people waiting in the reception area. She didn't flash he
r badge; she simply told the receptionist to tell Sierra that Bree wanted to speak to her.
She had a feeling that Sierra would be curious enough to find out what she wanted. Sierra had always had a fear of missing out on anything, so she'd always been eavesdropping, hanging on to conversations, trying to stay in good with anyone who might have something going on.
She straightened as she saw Sierra walk through the salon. She wore black jeans and a loose gray crop top that fell off one shoulder and revealed her flat abs. Her long hair was sleek and straight, her expression a mix of surprise, wariness, and dislike.
"So, it is you," she said. "I can't imagine what you're doing here."
"I need to talk to you. Do you have a minute?"
"I'm very busy."
"It won't take long. Is there some place we could speak in private?"
Sierra considered her question. "All right." She turned and walked away, and Bree quickly followed her.
They moved through the salon, into a back hallway, passing by the restrooms, a small kitchen and finally entering an office with a desk, a love seat, and a table upon which there were dozens of beauty product samples.
Sierra didn't sit down, just crossed her arms and waited. "Well?"
"Do you know why I'm in town?" she asked.
"Why would I know that?"
"I work for the FBI now." She saw surprise flash across Sierra's face. That was interesting. Sierra didn't know about her job. Did that mean she also didn't know what Johnny was up to? "I came to Chicago to look for a kidnapped child."
"What does that have to do with me?" Sierra asked.
"It has to do with Johnny. I understand you're with him now."
"I bet that kills you," Sierra drawled. "Once he dumped your ass, he came crawling to me, just like I always knew he would."
She ignored that comment. "Do you live together?"
"Of course, we live together. We're in love."
"But you're not married."
A hard light entered Sierra's eyes. "Not yet, but Johnny bought me this beautiful ring," she said, flashing the diamond-and-emerald ring on her right hand. "It's only a matter of time."
She had a feeling Sierra was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince her. "You got what you always wanted."
"I did. And I make Johnny happy—happier than he ever was with you."
She licked her lips, debating how to make her play. "Are you going to have kids?"
"Why are you asking all these questions?"
"Because Johnny is in trouble, and I think your life is about to change in a way you never imagined. Did you know he spoke to the FBI last night?"
"He was at work last night. He didn't say anything about the FBI."
"He doesn't want you to know what he's doing, but you need to know."
"If you're trying to scare me, it's not going to work. Johnny can handle whatever trouble you're bringing. I'm not worried. He knows very important people. They will always help him."
"They won't be able to help him this time, and you should be worried. Johnny kidnapped a child."
Wariness entered her eyes. "That's ridiculous. He doesn't go after kids."
Meeting Sierra's gaze, Bree had the feeling the woman thought she was telling the truth. She remembered that feeling. She'd once been told that Johnny had assaulted and almost killed a man, and she'd said the exact same thing—that that was ridiculous. Frowning, she brought herself back to the present. "Sierra—"
"No. We're done talking. I shouldn't have even let you back here. Johnny wouldn't like it."
She could see that Sierra was quickly pulling away. Like a turtle, who'd suddenly been shocked by a bright light, she was tucking her head back inside of her shell.
"Wait," she said, as Sierra moved toward the door. "The child means something to Johnny."
Silence followed her words. Slowly, Sierra turned her head. "What do you mean?"
"The girl is Johnny's daughter."
Sierra couldn't stop the gasp that came from her lips. "You're lying. He doesn't have any kids. He and I are going to have children. I will be his baby mama. No one else."
"He might not have known about the child until recently. Have you heard him talking to anyone about getting someone to look after a kid, or going to meet someone outside the city? Does he have a safe house somewhere? A place no one else knows about?"
Sierra stared back at her. "Oh, my God," she said slowly. "It's yours, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"You and Johnny had a kid." She shook her head in confusion. "But that doesn't make sense. You left."
"I left because I was pregnant, and because I didn't want my child to be swept up into Johnny's world. I was young. I was scared. I couldn't take care of a baby at that point in my life, so I gave her up for adoption. I didn't know where she went or who adopted her. But then last Tuesday, someone kidnapped a little girl, and yesterday I found out that that girl is my daughter. She's also Johnny's daughter. And I think he took her. He has her somewhere, Sierra."
"He doesn't have a kid at our house."
"He'd put her somewhere else."
"You're making all this up. You're trying to put Johnny in prison for dumping you all those years ago. You hate him. This is all crazy."
Despite Sierra's words, Bree could see that the truth was setting in. It also seemed apparent that Sierra was completely in the dark—unless she was the greatest actress in the world, and Bree didn’t think that was the case.
Now that she had Sierra's attention, she had to get her on her side. "You want your life with Johnny to stay the same, right? You don't want my child around. You don't want to share Johnny with a ten-year-old girl. And you won't have to, if you help me find her. I can keep you out of it, Sierra. I will never tell Johnny whatever you share with me. I give you my absolute word on that."
"I could never trust you. You stole Johnny from me."
"Oh, come on," she said, exasperated in spite of her plan to remain calm. "I didn't do that, and you know it. Look, I don't care that you're with him now. I even hope that you're happy. I know life wasn't easy for you. We come from the same neighborhood." She let that sink in, then continued. "I just want this girl to be back with her adoptive family. Her name is Hayley. She has a loving mother and father and two siblings."
"You're going to take her back to them?" Sierra challenged. "Why wouldn't you keep her? Now that you know where she is."
"Because she has a better family than I could give her."
Sierra gave her a long look, then shook her head. "Well, I don't know where she is."
"Think, Sierra. You know where Johnny's houses are, right? She has to be somewhere safe."
"You'll put Johnny in jail."
"I won't," she lied. "I just want my daughter back."
"Johnny must hate you," Sierra said. "You stole his child, his blood. He's going to kill you."
"Even if that wouldn't bother you, I don't think you want to raise the child he had with me, do you? I'm offering you a way to keep the life you have. It's a good deal."
"I don't know…"
A knock came at the door, and they both jumped. A young woman poked her head in. "Sierra, I need you to check Deb's color. She's freaking out that it has been in too long."
"Okay. I'll be right there." Sierra turned back to her. "I have to take care of this."
"I'll wait for you."
Sierra's lips tightened, but she hurried out of the room. Bree just hoped that when she came back, Sierra would make the right decision for all of them.
Seventeen
It was taking Bree a long time, Nathan thought, impatiently tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. Maybe that was a good sign.
It might mean that Bree and Sierra were actually having a productive conversation. He knew Bree could be persuasive, and he also knew that however much Sierra had envied Bree, she'd also looked up to her back in the day. Perhaps that would come into play now.
His phone rang. It was Adri
enne—again. She'd called him several times yesterday, and he'd never returned her call. He wasn't being fair to her, and that had to stop.
Taking a deep breath, he picked up, knowing that he was about to have a very difficult conversation, and one he should have had before last night.
"Where have you been, Nathan?" Adrienne demanded. "I've been calling and texting you for days."
Had it only been days? It felt like years had passed since he'd last seen her.
"I know. I've been really busy."
"Doing what? I went by your job site yesterday. Joe said he hadn't seen you, and he didn't know where you were. I felt marginally better that I wasn't the only one you were ghosting, but what's going on?"
"I told you that my friend's child was the little girl who was kidnapped last week. I've been helping out on the case."
"You've been helping out? How? You're not a cop."
"That's true, but I'm trying to be a good friend."
"Maybe you should think about being a good boyfriend," she said tartly, then immediately backtracked. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I just miss you. I really wanted to introduce you to my friend, Kari, and it just feels like something is off with us, Nathan."
He felt a wave of guilt for letting things go so far with Bree without talking to Adrienne first. "Something is off," he admitted. "We need to talk in person."
"What are you doing right now?"
"Actually, I'm still helping out on the case, so tomorrow would be better."
Silence followed his words. "You want to break up with me, don't you?"
"We should have a conversation face-to-face."
"So you can tell me it's over? Just say it now. Why wait?"
"Because I don't want to hurt you."
"I'm a big girl. Just tell me what happened. I thought things were going well. I know it's still pretty new, but we've been getting along. We've been having fun. What changed?"
He could hear the surprise and pain in her voice, and it bothered him that he was responsible for that. They had been doing well before Bree had come back into his life. But in retrospect, his version of "well" with Adrienne was nothing close to what he felt with Bree.
Reckless Whisper KO PL B Page 19
