“Is she cute?” Nick wiggled his eyebrows.
“Don’t even think about it, Casanova. I know all about you younger O’Connors, and neither of you are getting within a hundred feet of her. She’s already been warned about A.J., and I will be giving her a head up on you too.” Rick chuckled.
“Smart move.” James laughed.
“Well, I’m hurt that you would think that of me, bro.” Nick held his hand to his chest and stuck out his bottom lip.
“I don’t think that of you, little brother. I know that of you.” James stood and stretched his arms over his head.
“How’s the boy doing, by the way?” Rick was one of the officers who volunteered his off duty time to help find Danny.
“He’s doing pretty well, actually. He’s had a couple of nightmares but Marina’s been looking into getting him a therapist to talk things through. We picked up the dog yesterday and he hasn’t left Danny’s side. We had to explain to Mason that the dog helped find Danny and that now the dog was just making sure Danny was okay. Mason seems taken with the dog too so we put a dog bed in the room between their beds.” James didn’t tell them that Cloud seemed to know when Danny was feeling stressed and would lay next to him. He’d heard of therapy dogs and although Cloud wasn’t trained as one, he certainly seemed to be a natural at it.
“I’m heading back to Ian’s place. Are you off now?” Nick zipped up his coat.
“No, I’ve got another couple of hours,” James said.
“I’ll walk out with you. I’m done for the day,” Rick said as he waved to James.
“Good. Then you can tell me more about that sister of yours.” Nick laughed when Rick shoved him playfully.
“Not a chance, slick.” James heard Rick say as they disappeared through the door.
Marina called him when she arrived at the office like he’d asked, but she hadn’t been happy about it. He was pretty sure that, like his grandmother, it would take a lot of groveling for her to forgive his slipup.
“The meeting is going to take a couple of hours. I’ll call you when I’m on the way home.” She still sounded pissed.
“Are you still mad at me?” James asked and heard her sigh.
“Yes,” she said softly.
“I don’t like you being mad at me.”
“I understand why you didn’t want me to go to work but you can’t order me around and tell me you’re not letting me do something. It feels like you’re trying to control me. Danny is safe and I’m not here alone.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I love you so much.” James leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.
“How am I supposed to stay mad when you say those things?” She groaned.
“I do love you.” James smiled.
“Argh, that’s not fair, but I love you, too. You big ape.” Marina let out a sigh. “The meeting is about to start. I’ll see you tonight.” The last thing he heard was her telling someone she was coming.
He’d been home for almost two hours and was pacing the floor. Marina said the meeting was going to be a couple of hours and when she was done she’d call him. That had been almost three hours ago and still no call. He’d called Bull and the man assured him that Marina was still inside the building.
So here he was waiting at home reading the unanswered texts he’d sent Marina over the last half hour. Keith was on the phone with Bull ordering him to go into the building to make sure Marina was still in the meeting. His stomach was in knots and his heart was thudding in his chest. Something was wrong and he could feel it.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?” Mason walked into the kitchen.
“Nothing, buddy, I’m just waiting for a phone call.” He didn’t want to worry his son and he certainly didn’t want to upset Danny.
“Where’s Mommy?” Danny asked.
“Her meeting ran late. She’ll be home later.” James hated lying to the boys, but at this point he really didn’t know if anything was wrong. “Both of you go upstairs and get ready for bed. I’ll come tuck you in and when Mommy comes home, I’ll send her up to say goodnight.” Mason left the kitchen, but Danny didn’t move. He was staring at James as if he knew James wasn’t being honest.
“Is Mommy in trouble?” Danny asked with a small quiver in his voice.
“No, buddy. Why would you think that?” James crouched in front of him and held him by the shoulders.
“I got a funny feeling in my belly.” Danny’s eyes filled with tears.
“Mommy’s fine, pal. Why don’t you go snuggle in your bed with Cloud? He always makes you feel better.” The dog had been a godsend for Danny. Before he had a chance to turn around, the dog was next to him and gave a little whine. It amazed James how the dog knew when Danny was distressed.
“Okay, Daddy.” Danny held onto Cloud’s collar and started out of the kitchen but before he left he turned around. “I like calling you Daddy.” He smiled, and James’ heart melted.
“I like hearing it, buddy.” James swallowed the lump in his throat as Danny left the kitchen. He really did love hearing Danny call him daddy.
Keith had been sitting at the kitchen table with the phone to his ear waiting for Bull to find out why Marina wasn’t answering James’ texts. His low rumble and string of curses made James stomach tighten.
“What do you mean James called the secretary?” Keith snapped. “Why the hell would he pick her up when we had you there?” Keith’s face was red with anger. “Don’t let anyone leave that fucking building until I get there.” He listened for another minute. “Find out where all the exits are, and if they have any video surveillance and if they do, call Sandy to go over it.”
“What’s going on?” James didn’t really need to ask because the clenched jaw and grinding teeth told him exactly what he didn’t want to hear.
“The meeting was over an hour ago and apparently you called and told Marina to meet you on the back of the building,” Keith snarled.
“Marina... she’s... missing?” James stumbled over the words.
“I’m afraid so, but I’m heading to town now and I just texted Uncle Kurt to meet me there.”
“I’m going,” James snapped.
“No... you...” James cut him off before he even finished speaking.
“Don’t even try to stop me because I’m going,” James said. “I just need to tuck in the boys and I’ll be behind you. I’ll get Mom to come here with the boys.” Before Keith could say another word, James called his mother and was headed upstairs to make sure the boys were in bed.
“Okay, boys. I’ve got to run into work for a bit. Nanny Kathleen will be here, but I want both of you to go to sleep. Cloud is there to make sure everything is all right but please be good. This is really important, okay?” James spoke softly and tried to make it sound casual without worrying Danny.
“Is Mommy still at her meeting?” Danny asked.
“Yes, and she’s trying to hurry up so she can say goodnight, but you go to sleep and she’ll be here when you wake up.” James hoped to God he was right.
When he got back downstairs, his mother and grandmother were sitting at the kitchen table trying to comfort Stephanie and Janet. It still amazed him how everyone got to his house so fast, but he was grateful for all of them. He pulled on his jacket and turned to leave the kitchen when he ran into the brick wall that was Marina and Stephanie’s father.
“I don’t want any arguments. I’m going with you or I’ll follow you in my car.” Doug’s voice boomed, and James knew he didn’t have a choice.
“We’ll take my truck,” James said as they left the house.
The drive to town was quiet with the exception of the radio playing softly. Well at least until Doug turned it off. James glanced at him and could see his jaw clenched. The man looked as if he was about to punch someone, and James prayed it wasn’t him. If Doug believed this was James’ fault, he wouldn’t blame the man because he really should have put his foot down when she said she was
going to the meeting. Then again, she didn’t really give him a choice.
“This isn’t your fault, James.” Doug seemed to be reading his thoughts.
“I shouldn’t have let her go knowing that asshole was still out there.” James gripped the wheel tighter.
“Believe me, son, I know my little girl and if you’d fought her on this, she would’ve showed you how much she resembles her mother.” Doug chuckled. “I see that spirit in her again. She lost it the last few months she was with that fucker.”
James was somewhat taken back when Doug cursed. Marina told him once that she’d never heard either of her parents use foul language.
“But I know if you’d fought her on this, she’d have put your balls in a vice.”
James smiled because he had no doubt Doug was right. He’d seen that earlier that morning when she’d backed him into the corner.
“I won’t rest until I find her, Doug,” James promised.
“I know you O’Connor boys keep your word.” Doug reached over and clasped his shoulder. “I’m glad you came into her life.”
“She gave me back mine.” James choked out and held back the tears that were blurring his vision.
There were flashing lights in front of the building where Marina worked, and he pulled his truck in behind one of the cruisers. Doug jumped out of the truck, and James was right behind him. It didn’t take long for James to spot Kurt and Bull. They were surrounded by his brothers and Sandy. It was strange for her to be out in the field because she usually worked behind the computers getting the information they needed.
“There has to be a traffic camera showing what way they went,” John snapped and James could see he was losing his patience.
“Stop shouting at her, John. She’s doing everything she can.” That would be Ian coming to Sandy’s rescue, again. Although it didn’t seem to cure the cold shoulder she was still giving him.
“I’ve contacted city hall, but there are no traffic cameras around this area.” Sandy had her laptop on the bonnet of the car and her fingers were flying over the keys.
“You want to fill me in?” James stood next to Keith.
“The secretary told Kurt that she got a call from you saying you were trying to get Marina on her cell but it was dead. The guy told her that there was a problem with Danny and you and Bull were waiting at the back exit for her. The video feed confirmed Marc has her,” Keith said. “You can’t see it in the video, but it looked like he was holding something against her side. We found her phone next to the back door where she exited.” Keith sounded so professional it was almost as if he had no emotions, but knowing his brother the way he did; James knew Keith’s emotions were high.
“So you’re telling us that bastard has my daughter.” Doug growled and his large hands formed into fists at his sides.
“We’ll find her, Doug, don’t worry.” John seemed as shocked with Doug’s language as everyone else, but nobody was going to say anything to the bear of a man.
Kurt stood at the front entrance of the office building, and James heard there were officers at every entrance. Not that it made a difference, since the video already showed Marina leaving the building, but they had to make sure nobody was helping him. James scanned the crowd and saw Bull standing next to the building with his head leaned against the wall. Keith was in front of him and from the hand gestures, James could tell Keith was reprimanding him. James quickly headed in the direction. This wasn’t the man’s fault.
“Furthermore, you should have been inside the building and made sure Marina checked with you before she left the building.” Keith wasn’t yelling, but his tone was harsh.
“Keith, for the hundredth time she didn’t want me inside the building. I tried to tell her I had to stay close and she about ripped my head off. She said she’d break her laptop over my bald head if I tried to go into the building. She said she would text me as soon as the meeting was over.” Bull’s voice was low and calm.
“Keith, this isn’t his fault,” James snapped.
“Don’t interfere, James. It was his job to keep her safe.” Keith put the phone to his ear. “Go home, Bull. You’re under suspension until further notice.”
“Now wait a God damn minute, Keith. I know he works for you, but he volunteered to do this. You can’t suspend him for helping.” James wasn’t going to let Bull lose his job for trying to help him out.
“James, I said stay out of this.” Keith growled.
“Fine, Bull, you can work for me. I won’t be able to pay you as well as Mr. Perfect here but I do have funds to hire you as security for my sons until Marc is caught.” James stared down Keith. He didn’t have a lot of money but he did have life insurance money that he’d received from Sarah. He hadn’t touched it because he was keeping it for Mason’s education, but if he had to use it as payroll for a man that was only trying to help, he would no matter if it did piss off his brother.
“Oh for fuck sake. Fine, Bull, you aren’t suspended. Jesus Christ, James.” Keith then held up his hand as he spoke into the phone.
“Thanks, James. You didn’t have to do that.” Bull shook his hand.
“I know what happened wasn’t your fault. I got a taste of how stubborn Marina is earlier today. We really should have made sure Marina was more careful about her calls and messages, and she’s always forgetting to charge that damn phone.” James never thought Marc would have the guts to call her office. Then again in hindsight, they should have thought of every scenario.
It seemed like days they’d been waiting for word on Marina, but in reality it had only been a few hours. Sandy called and said she had some news and needed everyone together. Keith said it sounded important. So here he paced waiting for her to show up.
“Wait until you see what I found out.” Sandy struggled in through the front door carrying her laptop and a bunch of papers. Ian of course was the first to help her out. She thanked him but that was the extent of her conversation with him.
His kitchen looked like a command center with all the police and equipment around the room. Sandy was busy opening laptops and Keith was spreading out papers on the counter. Everyone else including the rest of his brothers, his father, uncles, aunts, cousins and Marina’s parents were crowded into the kitchen.
“So, where do I start?” Sandy stood back as everyone’s attention was on her. “Okay, when I found that alias Marc used I decided to do a nationwide check on that name, and boy what I found out was insane. Not only did Marc live in Edmonton, he also lived in Toronto and has a warrant for his arrest on a drug charge five years ago.” Sandy handed a paper to Keith.
“Wait a minute, that’s impossible,” Stephanie said.
“I’m afraid not. That paper is the warrant and the file on Martin Tapper,” Sandy said as she shuffled through more papers.
“Marina met Marc six years ago. They would have been married five years last month,” Stephanie said. The room went completely quiet, but Sandy didn’t seem the least bit shocked by the statement.
“That’s because Martin Tapper and Marc O’Reilly are not the same person. They are however, wait for it, identical twin brothers.” Sandy held up a picture with identical boys. “You see, I did some digging into Marc’s time in the orphanage. The place was shut down a few years after Marc was adopted because they were not being completely honest with the adoptive parents. From what I can gather, Marc’s adopted parents didn’t know he was a twin, and only adopted Marc. Martin ended up in the foster care system, and was eventually adopted by a family in Edmonton when he was ten.”
James’ head was spinning with all the information he was getting from Sandy, but he didn’t know what this had to do with Marina.
“He was removed from that household when he was fifteen because of physical abuse and remained in the foster care system in Alberta until he turned eighteen. He was in and out of jail for minor offenses. Then he moved to Toronto, where he got heavy into drugs and ran when he was going to end up doing hard time.” Sandy took a de
ep breath and held up a finger.
“Here’s where it gets interesting. I was talking to the sketch artist with the NPD and she put together this sketch of the skull they found at the trailer.” She held up the sketch. and James’ jaw dropped open.
“That’s Marc.” Janet gasped.
“I searched for dental records for Marc and discovered the last time he was at the dentist was eight years ago. I know, gross. Anyway they had x-rays of his teeth and compared them to the remains. It’s definitely Marc and they’re estimating his time of death as at least five years. Which means Marc isn’t the one that has Marina.”
“Dear God. No wonder there was such a drastic change in his personality. It wasn’t the same guy. He killed Marc and took his place.” Janet sobbed.
“So how the hell does this help us find Marina?” James snapped. He just couldn’t wrap his head around what Sandy had told them.
“I did a search on property owned by both Marc and Martin and found a lot of land close to where the trailer is. There’s a cabin built on the land and it was bought by Marc just before he and Marina got married. I’m assuming that it was going to be a gift, but he never got to show it to her. There’s something else and I think it’s what Martin is looking for. Their biological parents were well off and had a will that stated their estate was to be divided up between the brothers when they turned thirty. I contacted the lawyer that showed on the estate, and he said that he’d sent all the information to Marc. The lawyer said Marc was in shock because he didn’t know he had a brother. He told the lawyer to hold off until he found his brother.”
“Sandy, can you just forget all this and tell us where the damn cabin is?” Kurt seemed aggravated.
“Sorry, I just find all this amazing. She turned her laptop around and showed them where the cabin was located. James could see it was close to the trailer, but it had been far enough away that they’d never have thought to look there when Danny was missing.
“Son of a bitch.” John growled. “We were right next to that when Danny went missing.”
James had barely heard the rest of the conversation since he was pulling on his jacket and grabbing his keys. He was going to get Marina and nobody was stopping him, or at least that was his plan until Kurt grabbed him by the collar.
Dangerous Abduction (O'Connor Brothers Book 2) Page 23
