by Debra Webb
When he would have stepped from the shower, she suddenly jerked the curtain back and reached for the faucet, completely oblivious to his presence until it was too late.
She gasped.
He made his move, grabbing her and pinning one hand over her mouth before she could scream.
“Don’t make a sound,” he warned in a near whisper right next to her ear. He didn’t want to have to use the gun in his jacket pocket just yet unless it was necessary. He’d learned the hard way that accidents could happen. He wasn’t quite ready for her to have an accident…yet. And he wasn’t going to discount the possibility that the monitor focused on her bedroom might have sound as well. His partner hadn’t been completely sure of that part. And old Joe wasn’t taking any chances.
She struggled, but her strength was no match for his. He could feel her heart fluttering like a captured bird in her chest. Joe easily dragged her across the bathroom and into the large walk-in closet. Rich folks just had everything, he mused as he kicked the closet door shut behind him, putting another insulating barrier between them and the monitor. He reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew the roll of duct tape. After ripping off a length using his mouth and one hand, he pressed it firmly over her mouth.
“That’ll keep you quiet for a minute or two.”
Her blue eyes were wild with fear. Just like her daddy’s had been all those years ago. Funny how he remembered that. He held her wrists together and wrapped tape firmly around them, effectively locking her arms in front of her. She tried to jerk free but all he had to do was withdraw and wave his gun in her face then say, “I don’t want to have to shoot you here and now.” She stopped squirming on the spot. Guns always had that effect on folks. A sense of power surged through him. If she only knew just how much effect this one was going to have on her future…or lack thereof. He couldn’t help a grin. It was going to have a big impact on his, too.
EDDI TRIED TO STAY calm…tried to think. She trembled when he jabbed the gun at her again. Please, God, she prayed, let Doug come looking for her.
“Climb into that laundry chute,” the awful man ordered.
Confusion joined the other emotions churning inside her. What in the world was he talking about? She couldn’t climb anywhere wearing this dress. She’d already kicked off her shoes, otherwise she could have used them as weapons the way she’d seen on TV.
“There!” He pointed toward a small square door in the wall about four feet up from the floor on the far side of the closet. “All the suites in this place have one. Takes you right to the basement.”
Fear pumped through her all over again. She didn’t want to go to the basement with this man. Why hadn’t she noticed the little door before? What did this man want? When she just stood there he shoved her across the massive closet.
“Move,” he ordered. He opened the small door. “I’ll be right behind you.” He leaned in close to her face. She shuddered. “Don’t think you can run away before I get down there either. There’s a big surprise waiting for you.” He laughed and Eddi felt the nearly overpowering need to vomit. The tape pressed tightly over her mouth kept her from gagging openly as her stomach convulsed.
“Now.” He grabbed her around the waist. Her heart thundered in her chest. The image of her father flashed through her mind and she knew instantly how he must have felt all those years ago. “Put your feet in first,” the cruel man ordered. When she hesitated he stuck the barrel of the gun into her temple. “Do it,” he growled.
Eddi obeyed. He released her waist and she slid downward, praying that she could somehow outrun him once she reached the basement. The idea that she might break her legs when she landed zoomed through her mind as she slid past an angle.
Then she went straight down.
There was no time to think…no time to react.
Her feet dangled in the open air.
Her chest threatened to explode with fear.
She landed in a mound of linens.
No pain. She was unhurt. Quickly she scrambled up and out of the cart that sat beneath where the opening of the laundry chute spilled into the basement.
Her mind whirled.
She could run.
She had to run.
If she moved the cart he would land on the concrete floor. He’d be injured. She’d have a chance then.
“Hello, Eddi.”
A voice stopped her.
She turned slowly to face the familiar sound.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
Chapter Fourteen
Doug paced the floor of his room, the monitor never out of his peripheral vision.
What was taking her so long?
A generous hot soak in the tub was one thing but this was ridiculous. She should have been out of that bathroom by now.
If he wasn’t such an idiot he’d already have gone over there and banged on the door to find out why she was taking so damn long. But he just couldn’t bear to look at the hurt in her eyes again. His chest constricted. Couldn’t bear to have her look at him with such disappointment.
“To hell with it,” he muttered as he stormed out of his room.
Whatever she thought of him had nothing to do with his job. She’d been out of his sight for too long.
He didn’t even bother knocking as he barged into her room. Seconds later he knocked on the bathroom door and said, “Eddi, are you all right in there?”
He hadn’t intended to sound annoyed…but…well, he was. More at himself than anyone else. He was irritated and frustrated. He wanted her to look at him again with awe and respect. He wanted her trust back. He wanted her.
Silence emanated from the other side of the door.
“Eddi?”
He twisted the knob and shoved the door inward, his pulse already beginning to race as his eyes told him what his heart suddenly knew.
Eddi was gone.
He rushed through the bathroom and into the walk-in closet just to be sure. The laundry-chute door stood open. He surveyed the room again, his gaze locking on the discarded roll of duct tape on the floor. He reached for it, his mind racing toward the only logical conclusion. He checked the monitor on his watch that picked up the signal from her tracking device. She was still in the house.
Running this time, he retraced his steps to the hallway. He took the stairs two at a time and sprinted toward the kitchen. He had to get to the basement. He didn’t want to be too late. Regret sank like a boulder onto his chest.
“Is something wrong, sir?” Montgomery asked as Doug burst into the kitchen. He paused in his review of what was likely the next day’s menu.
“Check all the doors and windows,” Doug ordered as he hurried toward the stairs that led to the basement. “Make sure the security alarm is still set.”
In the basement Doug’s greatest fear was realized.
The expansive room that served as storage and a laundry area was deserted.
She was gone.
BY DAWN EVERY SQUARE inch of the house and grounds had been searched to no avail.
Doug had gone through the basement and the wine cellar, which was completely separate—including a private staircase—from the main basement that served as a laundry room and all-purpose storage area.
He’d found nothing.
Ryan Braxton had arrived on the Colby Agency’s private jet to provide additional backup.
The entire household staff had been called in and questioned. Brandon Thurston had been called as well. The police were visiting the homes or hotels of every single guest on the invitation list from last night’s gala. But, so far, no one knew anything about Eddi’s whereabouts.
“Whoever did this knew about the monitor,” Doug said. He felt sick to his stomach. He’d failed. Failed all the way around. If he just hadn’t let this get personal…
“That would include most all of the household staff,” Thurston put in as he paced the parlor once more. “It’s time we called in another agency,” he announced, halting directly in front of Sola
nge and settling his gaze on her. “Obviously, the Colby Agency can’t be relied upon.”
Fury flooded Doug. “Tell us again where you went after leaving the house last night,” he demanded of Thurston. He didn’t like the guy and he damn sure didn’t trust him.
Solange held up a hand. “The police are combing the island. There’s nothing else that can be done.”
Her voice sounded frail, heavy with worry. Doug knew just how she felt. Unless Eddi had been taken from the island by private boat she was still here…somewhere.
“Maybe we—”
Ryan halted his next words with an uplifted hand. “Mrs. D’Martine, may we have a word with you alone?”
Thurston huffed. “Don’t be so coy, Mr. Braxton, just go ahead and say that I’m under suspicion!”
Solange looked ready to cry. Doug wanted to hit the guy, but instead he snarled, “Well, you were the one who didn’t want Eddi having access to D’Martine Exports. You did secretly meet with the board to try and dissuade their cooperation.”
Thurston’s face turned beet red. “I did that to protect Solange,” he roared. “I had no other agenda.”
“Mr. Thurston,” Ryan said quietly, “we’re not accusing you of anything. Please, give us a moment.”
“Fine. I’ll be in the library if you need me,” Thurston said to Solange before storming out of the parlor.
“What’s on your mind?” Doug asked Ryan when the sound of the slamming door had stopped echoing in the room. Every fiber of his being feared for Eddi’s safety. His brain told him that this was about money, that there would be a ransom and that she would be safe for a time. But his heart didn’t want to listen because he also knew that the time would be short.
“If the tracking device had failed we would know it. If it had simply been removed by someone—”
“The only person who knew about it besides me,” Doug interrupted, “is Thurston.”
Silence lapsed for a long moment.
Doug wanted to kill the attorney with his bare hands. If something happened to Eddi and he was involved…
“If it had simply been removed,” Ryan continued, “we would still be picking up its final location. According to our monitoring it never left the house. We have to assume that Miss Harper didn’t either.”
Doug shook his head in frustration. “We’ve been over the house twice. She’s not here. Besides, wouldn’t we still be picking up the signal?” The transmission had ceased minutes after Doug had searched the basement.
Ryan considered the question for a moment. “We would.” His gaze locked with Doug’s. “Unless the signal is out of reach somehow.”
“Underground? We’ve scoured the basement and the wine cellar a dozen times.” The only way she could have gotten from the room without his knowledge was through the laundry chute. The door had been open and the duct tape had been on the floor. She’d been in the basement; that was definite.
Ryan turned to Solange. “Mrs. D’Martine, is there anywhere else in the house besides the basement that would prevent the signal from escaping? Do you have a large safe or security vault of any sort?”
Solange gasped. “Oh my God.” Her hand went to her throat. “I’d completely forgotten about the vault.”
Doug’s senses went on point. This was the first he’d heard about a vault. “Where is it? How large is it?”
“In the wine cellar,” she said. “There’s a secret door.” She shook her head then. “But you have to know the code to access the room and the combination to the vault door beyond that. No one has used it in years…not since my husband…”
“Who would have that information?” Ryan prodded.
She thought for a moment. “Only Brandon and myself.”
Outrage rocketed inside Doug. “What’s the code and the combination?” He had to get to the vault and find Eddi. He would deal with Thurston later. He glanced at Ryan. “Don’t let Thurston out of your sight.”
“Wait,” Solange said. “James might know also. But no one else.”
“The code and combination,” Doug reminded. There was no time for anything else at the moment. Whether the lawyer or the butler was involved, the only thing he cared about at this moment was finding Eddi unharmed.
Solange clasped her face in her hands and cried, “I can’t remember.”
“Thurston,” Ryan and Doug said simultaneously.
They burst from the parlor and headed toward the library at the same instant that the front-door bell rang.
James Montgomery paused at the door awaiting permission to open it. Doug nodded. It could be the local authorities. The D’Martine plane hadn’t had time to get back with Eddi’s parents yet. Doug took a second to consider the D’Martines’ butler. He certainly seemed harmless. He had befriended Eddi.
When the door opened, four women barged into the entry hall, all looking a little road weary and a lot ticked off.
“You!” Ella Brown accused, stabbing a finger in Doug’s direction and putting a stop to his troubling considerations.
“We have a few things to say to you, young man,” Irene Marlowe added contemptuously.
Doug held up his hands. “It’ll have to wait, ladies.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Thurston joined the crowd, glaring from the ladies to Doug and Ryan.
One of the Caruthers twins waved an envelope. “This was on your doorstep.”
The ransom note. Doug didn’t have to open it. He knew. He ushered Thurston back into the library knowing Ryan would take care of the note and the newest additions to this nightmare. “Why didn’t you mention the security vault?” he growled, ready to lunge for the guy’s throat.
Thurston looked startled. “I didn’t think it was relevant. No one knows the combination except Solange and myself.” His surprise turned to worry. “At least I don’t think anyone else does. It hasn’t been used for years.”
“Give me the combination,” Doug ordered, his tone nothing short of lethal.
Thurston blinked, the emotion in his eyes, whether feigned or not, morphed into horror. “My God. I’ll come with you. It’ll be simpler that way.”
Doug snagged him by the arm. “You do that.” He gave Ryan a succinct nod as he passed him.
Montgomery was busy trying to calm the foursome who’d shown up unexpectedly. Solange stood in the doorway to her parlor looking defeated.
“Please,” she said to Doug as he strode by, “find her. I can’t go through this again.”
Doug could only nod, speech was impossible.
He couldn’t bear it either.
If anything happened to Eddi, it would be his fault. He should have been more careful…should have kept a hold on his professionalism. At that moment he realized something he’d forgotten so very long ago.
Love was all that mattered in this life. It conquered all. If his former fiancée had truly loved him the rumors circulated by the media wouldn’t have taken her away from him. Eddi had been willing to give him a second chance even after he was less than honest with her. And he’d given her the brush-off. If he’d only trusted his heart…trusted Eddi, none of this would have happened because she would have been with him last night instead of alone in her room.
An open target.
EDDI SAT VERY STILL. If she moved, even breathed too deeply, he would wake up. She didn’t want him to wake up. Her nose tickled with the need to sneeze. It was so dank and dusty in here. The room was like a big old bank vault. She’d visited the one at Meadowbrook Bank once when she’d had to stop a leak in the ladies’ room. Ms. Mildred Peacock, the bank’s vice president, had insisted on giving her the grand tour.
This place was pretty much like that except there were lots of boxes and crates and even some cabinets with drawers. Eddi imagined that valuables were stored in here. But it didn’t look as if anyone had been down here for a long time. Just outside that heavy concrete door, through the secret opening in the wine cellar and up the stairs was freedom. But she couldn’t get loose from her bonds
without waking her captor. And even if she rendered him unconscious, would she be able to get out? There was a lever on the big concrete vault door. That probably opened it…she hoped it did.
She wondered about the tracking device. It was still in place behind her ear. But Doug hadn’t come to her rescue. Maybe it didn’t work inside a vault.
She blinked back the fresh wave of tears that surged, then glanced at the evil man who dozed only a few feet away. He’d bragged about how he’d held her father for ransom. How he’d accidentally shot him and lost out on the fortune that should have been his all those years ago. Eddi had cried. She hadn’t meant to…hadn’t wanted to give him the satisfaction, but she just hadn’t been able to help herself. Though she hadn’t known her father, she had wept for what he’d lost…what her mother had lost. Then she thought of the other man—a man she had grown to trust. He had tricked her just as he’d tricked her father all those years ago she felt certain. Her poor grandmother. Would she ever know that the man who’d helped take her son’s life was a confidant? Fury boiled up and burned away the other, weaker emotion. She wanted to hurt this man and the other one if she got the opportunity. For the first time in her life she truly wanted to harm another human being.
Neither of them deserved to live. Together they had kidnapped and murdered her father. For money.
No longer caring if he heard her or not, she struggled against the tape binding her wrists. If she could only get free before he roused. She might never get out of here alive but neither would he.
“HURRY,” Doug urged as Thurston tinkered with the dial on the outside of the vault door.
The damn thing was massive. And Eddi was in there. He knew it. Two sets of footprints marred the dust on the floor. He’d noted them the instant the wine cellar’s secret door had opened. A wine rack had pulled away from the wall to reveal a flush-mounted door. A code had been entered and the door had slid open. The small area outside the vault door had obviously lain undisturbed for years except for the fresh footprints.
