Rick saw the pain in her eyes, but he knew if they wanted to trap Erebus, she had to convince him everything was normal.
“I know this must be difficult for you. I wish you didn’t have to go through this, but you know if we’re going to stop him you have to make him believe he’s still in complete control.”
“I know what I need to do; I just hate it that’s all. So, when will we know he’s in my apartment?” Mac wanted to change the subject because she knew Rick was right.
“We put sensors on all the doors and windows of your apartment that way no matter how he gets in we’ll know, and once he’s inside we’ll have him!” Rick looked at her with a satisfied smile on his face.
“I wish I could be there to face him! I can’t tell you how much I want to put a bullet right between his eyes.”
“I know you want to be there, but we must remember that he still has Jenni Beltan. I hope she’s still alive so we can get her back to her grandmother.” Rick had checked with the hospital earlier to see if Maybelle Gables had regained consciousness. He spoke with her friend, Ruth and was told she was in and out of consciousness, but they were not sure of how much she was aware of because she was still unable to speak.
“You’re right; I need to stay focused on the job at hand, but what do we do now?” she leaned back in her chair and took another sip of her coffee.
“We simply wait,” were the only words Rick said.
***
These current developments were quite inconvenient for him. In all the times, he had played The Game he had never had a camera fail on him.
No matter, he thought to himself.
It would only take a few minutes to repair the camera then he would set up the new move for the game. It had surprised him this morning when she had dressed and left for work without her morning coffee and toast. She appeared to be on the edge this morning, but with everything that had happened recently; he was not surprised.
It only took a couple of moments to replace the blown fuse, and once completed, he took special care to ensure everything was back in its proper place. “There we go my dear, Lucinda. I look forward to our time together this evening.”
***
The alarm on Rick’s cell phone sounded alerting him that someone had entered Mac’s apartment. He quickly entered the link address into his computer, and they both held their breath as they waited for the image to appear on the screen. They held their breath as they watched the man come in through the patio door and walk straight to her bedroom.
“Can you zoom in closer? I can’t see his face,” Mac strained to see the image on the screen.
“Hold on a second, he told me how to do this, but it doesn’t seem to be working!” Rick pushed several buttons on the keypad.
Mac felt the frustration growing inside of her as Rick tried to adjust the picture. She knew this would be their only chance, and she did not want to waste it. “Shit, his back is to the camera now! This is recording, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, all of this is recorded, so we’ll be able to use this in court against him. Come on, let’s get going!” Rick stood, and motioned to Mac to follow him.
“Go where? I don’t understand.”
Rick grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the chair before she could say anything else.
“I didn’t want to say anything earlier because I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep you here. You see, your apartment has been under surveillance this entire time. So, once he triggered the alarm and was inside; your apartment was surrounded with all escape routes securely closed off,” Rick said excitedly, as they rushed outside to his car.
Mac could not believe her ears. “You were right for not telling me because I would never have stayed away.”
***
He looked around one last time to make sure things were in their proper place. Once he was certain, he opened the patio door to leave, but what happened next caught him by surprise. No sooner had he stepped outside than he heard the command to lie down with his hands behind his head, but he had no intention to obey the order. He reached for his pocket to retrieve his handgun, but before he could, he felt the searing pain of bullets slamming into his body. At first, he had no idea what had happened, but the blood on his hand after he touched his chest and the cold feeling that crept over his entire being; let him know of his approaching doom.
When Mac and Rick pulled into the driveway of her complex, they were surprised to find an ambulance parked at Mac’s apartment.
“Shit! What the hell happened?” Mac groaned.
They both hurried to the ambulance, wondering why it was there when Mac noticed two officers standing by the ambulance while the several others secured the area.
Rick walked up to one of the officers standing by the ambulance. “What happened here?”
“We had the apartment surrounded, waiting for the suspect to come outside. Once he did we ordered him to lie down, but, unfortunately, for him, he chose to go for his weapon.” The officer looked down at the man lying on the gurney and shook his head.
“Have you made an ID on him yet, and do they think he’ll survive?” Mac held her breath.
“They’re not saying anything yet, but it doesn’t look good,” the officer answered.
“Okay, I can’t waste any more time then.” She walked to the gurney, and the man lying there near death’s door. She was unable to explain the feelings swirling around inside of her, but she knew she had to speak to him before he died.
As she approached the gurney, a strange sensation overcame her. This is all too easy; she thought to herself.
It made no sense for someone as intelligent as Erebus to be captured so easily. She took a deep breath and looked down at the man lying motionless, as the paramedics secured him on the gurney for his ride to the hospital.
“Ma’am, you need to stand clear,” the paramedic ordered. They pushed the gurney into the back of the ambulance. “Come on, let’s get going, now!”
The shock of finally seeing Erebus face-to-face hit Mac with such force she never even noticed when Rick walked up behind her.
“How are you doing?” He rested his hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze.
Mac stood silent for several moments, unsure of her feelings. “I don’t know. I always thought it would be so much more dramatic. Look at everything he’s done in the past, and to have it end this way somehow doesn’t seem right.”
Rick understood what she meant, but he was glad things turned out the way they had. When Mac returned from Philadelphia and explained everything Erebus had done to John Cooper, Rick had worried that she would face the same fate. He knew she was a strong woman, but he also knew even the strongest of people had their weaknesses.
“Come on Mac, let’s get to the hospital. We want to be there to question him if he survives. He’s the only person who knows where Jenni is, or if she’s even still alive.”
“Oh, my God, if he dies we may never find her!”
***
On the drive to the hospital, Mac wondered what would happen next. She knew if Erebus survived the trip to the hospital, he would go straight to surgery once they arrived. Neither of them spoke a word the entire trip as they both wrestled with their emotions on the capture of Erebus. Mac was grateful to Rick for his help through this difficult time because she knew she would never have survived this on her own.
When they arrived at the hospital, they learned he had survived the trip and was in emergency surgery. They both breathed a sigh of relief, so they decided to go to the cafeteria and get something to drink for their long wait.
As they sat at the table, it surprised them how for the first time they were at a complete loss for words. Rick had requested to be notified once Erebus was out of surgery, and conscious enough to be questioned. He did not want to take the chance that he would die before they learned where he was hiding Jenni.
“Rick, I haven’t thanked you for everything you’ve done. I could never have made it through this without
your support and friendship.”
Rick looked into the tear-filled eyes of the woman he had always cared for and respected. “I didn’t do anything that you wouldn’t have done for me or my family.”
Mac knew he was right, and for the first time, she realized she was no longer alone.
She looked up at the clock on the wall and was surprised to see they had been there a little over two hours. Mac wondered if this was a good sign that Erebus would survive; at least long enough to be questioned.
She swallowed the last of her drink when Rick’s cell phone began to ring. “They must be finished with the surgery.”
Rick answered his phone, “Detective Jameson. What did you say? Oh, my God, no! I am coming now! I’ll be there as soon as I can!” The look on Rick’s face lets Mac know it was not good news and had nothing to do with questioning Erebus. “It’s Mandy! She’s missing!”
“Wait, I’m coming with you!” Mac cried out, following him to his car.
The drive to Rick’s house had only taken ten minutes, but it seemed like an eternity. Rick’s heart was pounding so hard in his chest he was convinced it would explode when they pulled into his driveway.
As he jumped out of the car, Sharon ran outside and threw her arms around his neck.
“I don’t know what happened. She was down for a nap after school, and I thought it was strange that she was still asleep. I went to check on her, but she was gone! I don’t know how, but she was not in her room! At first, I thought she had gotten up and was playing in Ashley’s room. She loves to play with the tea set Ashley got for her birthday, but she wasn’t in there either! I checked the whole house, and she’s just not here!” Sharon sobbed uncontrollably in his arms.
Rick felt his knees buckle at the thought of his sweet, little Mandy missing. “Did you check across the street? You know how she loves to go over there to play with their dog.”
“Remember, they took that trip to Hawaii, so they’re not home,” Sharon looked up at Rick with fear in her eyes.
“I’ll go inside and look. Maybe she just got up and decided to hide from you then fell back asleep. You know how she loves to play pranks on everyone.” Mac said a silent prayer before walking into the kitchen.
The house seemed empty without the girls running around and giggling. Mac had decided to look into Mandy’s bedroom first. She knew how Mandy loved to hide in her toy box, so maybe she had climbed in there and fallen back asleep.
She held her breath then lifted the lid; nothing. She then walked to the closet and opened the door; still nothing.
“Where are you little one?” Mac knew she needed to clear her mind and think where else to look. When she sat on the bed, she heard a strange crunching noise. “What the hell?”
She reached under her thigh and pulled out a piece of paper hidden under the blankets. At first, she thought it was a drawing, but then she realized it was a note.
She held it up to the light. As the rules of the game were broken because you decided to become a participant, I have decided to add an extra move in your honor, Detective Jameson. You see, because of the death of Tyrone Beltan, I no longer have a need for his sister Jenni. I’m sure you will understand why I have made this decision in The Game. You see, each move must be done with complete precision, and like any game there is always the need for objects, or pieces as I like to call them to play each move. Therefore, this is to inform you that I have replaced Jenni with your daughter, Amanda. A Mandy for a Jenni; that’s a fair trade, don’t you think?
Mac thought as she stared at the paper with her body going numb. How could this have happened? With Erebus in the hospital fighting for his life, how could he have taken Mandy? Unless… The thought that burned through her mind was too horrible to contemplate.
Had Erebus forced someone else to kidnap Mandy as he did Tyrone, and what would happen to Mandy if Erebus died? Would the kidnapper let her go, or would he kill her to cover his tracks?
Rick walked in the bedroom door and noticed the strange look on Mac’s face. “Are you all right? What’s that in your hand?”
Mac could not find the words; she only handed him the note. He took it from her, and as he read it, Mac watched the color drain from his face, “Oh, my God, what have we done? We have to get to the hospital, now! If that bastard dies before I learn what he did with Mandy, I’ll never forgive myself!”
“Who do you need to question? What are you talking about? What’s going on here Rick?” Sharon cried.
“I want you to call your mother and tell her to get over here, now! I don’t want you here alone,” Rick pushed past Sharon. “Come on Mac, we need to get to the hospital!”
“I already called her, so she ought to be here any moment. Rick, what’s that in your hand?” Sharon tried to take the note from him, but he pulled it away from her grasp.
Rick hated to keep this from her, but he knew he had to protect her, and the other girls. “Sharon, I wish I could tell you more, but right now for your own safety, and the safety of Rebecca and Ashley you need to trust me. I want you to stay here with your mother, and do not answer the phone unless it’s from me. Do you understand?”
In all the years, she had known Rick; Sharon had never seen him this frightened. “Yes, I understand, and I promise not to do anything foolish.”
Sharon looked into his eyes and realized the severity of the situation. “But what about Ashley and Rebecca, how will they get home from school?”
“I’ll have an officer pick them up from school and bring them home. Now promise me you will do as I say because I don’t want anything to happen to the rest of you. I love you sweetheart, and I promise to bring Mandy home soon.” Rick held Sharon tightly in his arms and kissed her on the forehead.
The front door flew open, and in ran a half-crazed woman. “Have you found her yet? Where’s our baby?”
“Oh, Mama,” Sharon cried, running to her mother's waiting arms.
“Come on, Rick, we need to get going,” Mac rushed to the door.
Rick hated to leave Sharon like this, but he knew he had no choice. If they were not able to question Erebus, then the chance of getting Mandy back alive was slim. “Remember not to answer the phone unless it’s me!” Rick ordered then he followed Mac out the door.
“I will, I promise, just bring Mandy home!” Sharon cried.
Mac did not know what to say, or to do. She had brought this on Rick and his family because she was weak and needed help.
On the drive to the hospital, neither of them spoke with the fear hanging over them. When they pulled into the parking lot of the hospital Rick’s cell phone began to ring. He looked at Mac then took a deep breath before he answered the call. “Detective Jameson. Yes, I understand. We just pulled in the parking lot. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
By the look on his face, Mac could tell it was not good news. “What happened?”
“He’s out of surgery and in recovery right now, but they’re not holding out much hope. Damn it, if he dies we may never find Mandy!” Rick felt his heart breaking at the thought of Mandy in a dark, cold room, alone and scared. “I only hope that bastard lives long enough to tell us where she is!”
They rushed inside and went straight to the recovery room. They had prayed he would be awake, but he was still unconscious.
As they sat in the waiting room, Mac saw the fear and anger on Rick’s face. She turned to him, “I’m so sorry about this. It’s my fault, and I will never forgive myself if we don’t get her back. If I had just left you out of this stupid game with Erebus, none of this would have happened.”
“You can’t blame yourself for this, Mac. He must have found out we were working together, and it pissed him off because we broke his damn rules! He had better not die before he tells me where she is because if he doesn’t talk, I’ll kill the bastard myself!”
Rick walked to the vending machine and then laughed. “You know something, it’s a shame you can only get soda out of these damn things because I could sure
use a stiff shot of tequila right now!” He reached into his pocket and pulled out some change. “You want one?”
“No, thanks.” Mac had to agree with him that a good, stiff shot of tequila right now would do the trick, but she also knew they must be clearheaded when they talked to Erebus. She had to believe that he would live long enough for them to question him because the alternative was far too painful to accept.
They had been waiting more than an hour when the alert sounded on Mac’s phone that she had a text message.
“Crap, what’s this about?” When Mac opened the message, what appeared before her eyes nearly made her heart stop in her chest. “Oh, my God, Mandy!”
On the screen was Mandy, with her hands bound behind her back, and at the ankles. She was on the floor in a brightly lit room with what appeared to be tile on the floor and walls.
Mac scrolled down to read the message. I warned you from the beginning not to break the rules, but you decided you knew best. Therefore, because of your actions another innocent child will pay. I will contact you later as to what you will need to do.
“What is it, is it about Mandy? How can he send a message when he’s in that room near death?” Rick was beside himself with grief. He knew he needed to remain focused, but the thought of Mandy in danger was too much for him to handle.
Mac did not know what to say, so she merely handed her cell phone to Rick. He took the phone and looked down at the screen. As he looked at the picture, he felt his fear transform into rage. “I swear, if she’s hurt in any way, I’ll go in there and pull the plug on that bastard myself!”
Mac jumped to her feet, “I’m going to check, and see if he’s awake yet!” She rushed out of the waiting room to the nurse’s desk.
Mac noticed a nurse at the counter speaking on the telephone, so she impatiently waited for her to finish the call. The nurse glanced up from her call and then shook her head from side to side, letting Mac know that Erebus was still unconscious. Quit screwing with me Erebus, I need you to wake up!
A New Game Page 17
