Getting back into his car, he pulled out into traffic and when he glanced in the rear view mirror, he saw a green car two cars back but in the left-hand lane. He remembered seeing it the last few turns and guessed it was following him. Jason stayed in the middle lane for a couple of blocks then suddenly turned right onto a side street. He was surprised to see the green car slow down then continue on.
He took several back streets until he reached the 7-Eleven. He climbed out of his car and stood next to the pay phone, willing it to ring. Even though he had been expecting it, the shrill sound startled him. Jason was told to move the money into the dark-blue gym bag that was stashed in the phone booth and leave the briefcase behind. Then he was to go to the ice cream shop in the mall, sit at the table in the back corner and reach underneath for a note taped there. He was also reminded to make sure he wasn't being followed.
After shoving all the money into the gym bag, he noticed it had the words Valley Health Club written on the side. Surprised at that, he paused, then quickly climbed into his car and pulled into traffic.
As Jason pulled into the mall parking lot, he wasn't surprised to see it full of cars. After all, it was Saturday and that was when most everyone seemed to go shopping. He went in the main entrance, along with several other people and felt like everyone was looking at the bag he held in his hand. Sitting on a bench for a minute, he watched the shoppers going by.
The smell of sizzling hamburgers floated into his nostrils, and he was reminded he hadn't had time for breakfast that morning. The noise in the mall brought him out of his reverie and he looked around again. When it seemed nobody was paying attention to him he stood up and strolled down the mall, then stopped in front of a jewelry store window and watched the reflection of people walking by. Looking at the large diamonds, he thought of Stacey and the small stone she wore on her left finger.
It would be nice to buy her a new anniversary ring. As he thought this he felt the weight of the money in his hand and, just for a moment, was tempted to take the money and run.
He knew that would be a bad idea and forced the thought from his mind. Watching the shoppers walk by in the reflection, he felt a twinge of nervousness as his gaze settled on the face of a man he thought looked somewhat familiar. The man wore a blue shirt and a faded pair of jeans. He watched as the man quickly glanced Jason's way then continued on.
Jason shook his head slightly, feeling ridiculous for suspecting every shopper who was there. He continued down the mall, stopping occasionally to check the reflections of the other shoppers in the store windows. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the man in the blue shirt and jeans looking his way again. Shrugging it off, he went to the ice cream shop but was dismayed to see a family sitting at the assigned table. He ordered a chocolate chip ice cream cone and sat at an empty table, waiting for the family to leave.
Feeling impatient as the mother slowly spooned ice cream into a toddler's mouth, he kept looking at his watch, his only concern Kyle's safety. Once they finally left, he calmly walked over to the table they had occupied and reached underneath, feeling around before he found the paper taped there. He sat down and pulled the bag with the money onto his lap, then unfolded the note and quickly read the instructions.
It said to go to the sports shop on the upper level, set the bag on the bench in the back of the store, then go into a dressing room. He was then to wait for two minutes before he could come back out and be on his way.
That sounded simple enough. He stood up with the bag and walked back out into the mall. Deciding to do a little observing before the final drop to make sure he wasn't being watched, he climbed onto the escalator and slowly looked around as it moved upwards. Everyone seemed to be occupied with their own errands. After he stepped off the escalator he walked toward the sports shop. He found a planter box located nearby and sat on the side facing the shop. Only a few people were in the store where the drop was to take place and he did not see the man with the blue shirt anywhere.
After several minutes he knew it was time. He had to wipe his sweaty hands on his jeans before proceeding. There were only a few customers and a salesman came right over as Jason walked in.
“Can I help you, sir?” The salesman eyed the bag in Jason's hand.
Jason was unnerved at the attention. “No, I'm just looking.” He walked over to a display of sport shirts and grabbed three without even glancing at them.
The salesman intercepted him on his way to the dressing room. “You can't take that bag into the dressing room, sir.” He held his hand out for the bag.
Jason quickly pulled it out of his reach. “Can I leave it over there?” He pointed to the bench in the back.
“I suppose.”
“Thank you.” He carried the bag over to the bench and set it down, then looked around to see if anyone besides the salesman was watching him. Nobody was so he took the clothes into the dressing room and threw them on the chair. He tried to peek through the slats on the dressing room door but was annoyed to see they were angled the wrong way. He couldn't see anything. He stared at the second hand on his watch instead.
* * *
The man walked into the sports shop through a back entrance and went directly to the bag sitting on the bench. He had an identical one in his hand. He set his down on the bench and picked up the one with the money. Within ten seconds he was on his way after leaving through the back door.
* * *
Jason came out of the dressing room and was startled to see the bag still sitting on the bench. He didn't understand why the kidnapper hadn't picked it up. Knowing he would be in trouble if he screwed this up, he wasn't sure what to do.
Glancing around for the same snoopy salesman, he didn't see him anywhere. He licked his lips as he bent over and unzipped the bag, looking inside.
It was full of blank paper. He knew the money had been there; he had put it in himself from the briefcase. Zipping it closed, he stood there a minute wondering what to do, then picked the bag up and walked out of the store, sitting back down on the planter. His hunger had vanished and now he was worried about the FBI's reaction. He knew this didn't bode well for him.
They'll still think I'm a suspect, he worried.
After several minutes a man appeared next to him and Jason looked at him in surprise. Jason recognized him from the Stone's house. “How'd you guys know where I was?”
He spoke to Jason out of the side of his mouth. “What're you still doing with the bag?”
Jason felt the blood drain from his face, worried he had blown it. Staring straight ahead, he said, “I followed the instructions and this bag was there after I came out of the dressing room.” He turned toward the agent. “It's full of paper.”
The agent looked panicky. Grabbing the bag from Jason, he yanked the zipper open, then threw back his head and let out a big breath.
Jason watched as the agent spoke into his cell phone, then grabbed Jason by the arm.
“Let's go.”
“Wait a minute.” Jason pulled the agent's hand off of his arm. “You didn't answer my question. How did you guys know where I was?”
The agent looked annoyed. “You did a good job of losing us but a police officer reported seeing your car in the mall lot so we came over.”
Jason was angry. “Does Mark know about this?”
The agent gave Jason a patronizing smile. “This operation is not under Mark Stone's command.”
“I'll bet you guys didn't see who left with the money, did you?”
The agent looked him full in the eye. “How do we know it wasn't you all along?”
Jason clenched his jaw. “It wasn't me.”
The agent just raised his eyebrows. “Let's go, Mr. Hunter.”
Jason shook his head angrily as he followed him out of the mall.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The man with the Valley Health Club bag drove right by the agreed upon meeting place and smiled to himself when he saw she was waiting there for him. She didn't seem to notice him g
oing by.
Driving on to the bus station, he walked over to the lockers, then placing the bag inside an empty locker, he dropped some quarters into the slot and put the key in his pocket.
Then he drove back to the meeting place.
By now she was pacing next to her car.
“Where have you been? You were supposed to be here half an hour ago.”
He frowned with feigned remorse. “Things didn't go quite as planned.”
“What?!”
He shrugged his shoulders. “It wasn't there.”
Fuming now, she stalked back and forth then stopped directly in front of him. She looked at him and he felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
“You'd better not be trying to double cross me.”
He laughed nervously. “Do you think I'm stupid?”
She just glared at him.
“What about the kid?” he asked.
“We’ll have to get rid of him, of course,” she said impatiently.
“I think we should let him go.”
“What for?” Her eyebrows formed a V on her forehead. “They didn't hold up their end of the bargain, why should I?”
He swallowed hard. “How are you going to do it?”
She laughed menacingly. “I'm not going to do it. You are.”
He shook his head. “I can't do that.”
“Get over it.”
“Okay. I'll do it.” He looked at her under lowered lids. “But I'm going to do it my way.”
She waved him away impatiently. “Whatever. Just get it done.”
He climbed back into his car and drove to the house where they were keeping him. After mixing the drink, he put on his ski mask and went into the room. He felt kind of bad for the kid. He looked so scared.
“It's okay, Kyle. You're going to go home today.”
Kyle's eyes lit up.
“All you have to do is drink this first.” He held out the glass. “Can you do that?”
Kyle reached out and took the glass. He gulped it down.
The man waited until Kyle had fallen asleep, then loaded him into his car and drove away.
* * *
A short time later the man went home to shower and have a bite to eat, then hid the key where he hoped no one would think to look. He then drove to the meeting place.
“Did you do it?” She was looking nervous now.
“I took care of it.”
“Good.” Her eyes became suddenly cold and she held out her open hand. “Give it to me.”
He was confused. “What?”
She walked closer and he felt his armpits grow moist.
“I want the money.”
His mouth had gone dry. “I told you I don't have it.”
She raked her fingernails across his cheek.
He touched the spot and his hand came back with drops of his own blood on them. “What are you doing? I told you I don't have it.” Now he was beginning to question the wisdom of his choice.
“Liar!” Her teeth were clenched and her eyes looked wild. She reached into her purse and pulled out a gun.
He held his breath.
“Now. Are you going to tell me where you put it or do I have to shoot you?”
“Okay, okay.” He held up his arms. “I'll tell you where I put it.”
She leveled the gun at his chest. “That's better.”
“I put it in a locker at the bus station.”
“Which one?”
He told her.
She held the gun with one hand and reached out the other. “Give me the key.”
He shook his head. “I don't have it with me.”
Rage filled her eyes. “Where is it?”
“I. . . I left it at home.”
Those were his last words.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Stacey had been playing games with Robby and Nikki all morning to keep herself, as well as them, occupied. She kept checking the driveway to see if Jason was home yet. It was early afternoon before he finally arrived.
Sending the kids outside to play and forgetting her earlier feeling of despair, she eagerly asked him what had happened.
He raised his eyebrows. “Oh. You're talking to me now are you?”
She closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down. “Just tell me what happened with the ransom.”
“Okay, okay.”
Stacey stared at Jason in disbelief as he relayed the events of his morning at the mall. “So they have no idea who got the money?”
Jason's mouth turned down into a frown. “Nope.”
Stacey felt like everything was wrong. The mystery hadn't been solved at all. They still had no idea who had taken Kyle.
Kyle!
“Have they heard anything about Kyle?”
With concern in his voice he said, “No, they haven't. Amanda's pretty freaked out.”
“Maybe I should go over there.”
“Go ahead. I've had my fill of excitement for the day.”
Worry lines marred her forehead. “Are you still a suspect?”
“I don't know. I took a polygraph test after the ransom drop. Maybe that will clear me.”
“Why didn't you take one before?”
“I . . . I wasn't ready to tell you about Patricia. I was afraid they'd find out and then you'd find out.”
She closed her eyes, feeling like the nightmare would never end. “I'm sorry, Jason. I thought after the money was delivered you'd finally be off the hook.”
“So did I.” His seemed resigned to his fate.
“I guess I’ll go over to Amanda’s and see what’s going on.”
Reporters surrounded her, shouting questions. “What is your husband's involvement in this?” “Why was he here this morning?”
Ignoring them, she knocked on the door. One of the agents let her in. Amanda was pacing around the room, chewing on her finger. She stopped when Stacey came into the room.
“Stacey, I can't stand this.”
“Have faith, Amanda. I'll bet he'll be home before dinner.” Stacey gave her a warm hug.
Tears dampened Amanda's cheeks and she started pacing again. “Ohhhh. I hope so.”
There were several agents in the living room and kitchen. Everyone was speaking in hushed tones. Mark was sitting on a chair by himself, staring off into space. Amanda sat down on the couch and Stacey sat next to her.
Then Amanda turned to Stacey. “What am I going to do?”
Having no idea what to say, Stacey searched her memory for some kind of wisdom. Then, remembering a comment she’d once heard, she took Amanda's hands in hers and said, “I believe we’re never given more than we can handle. I know you’ll get through this.”
“I don't know, Stacey. I think this is more than I can handle.”
Rubbing Amanda's icy hands, Stacey continued. “I believe you can. You need to have faith in yourself.”
Amanda smiled.
After sitting quietly next to Amanda for several minutes, Stacey asked if she could do anything for her.
“The only thing I need is for Kyle to be back home.”
Stacey stood to go. “I have a good feeling about this. I really think Kyle will be okay.”
Walking Stacey to the door, Amanda smiled. “I'll feel good as soon as Kyle's back home with me.”
“And he will be soon. You'll see.”
Amanda looked at her with appreciation. “Thank you.”
Stacey smiled back. “Will you let me know as soon as Kyle gets here?”
“Yes, I will,” she said, tears filling her eyes once more.
As Stacey walked back to her house she felt overwhelmed with sadness. Whoever had taken Kyle deserved a long stay in jail. But then she felt a prickle of fear. What if that person turned out to be her husband? No! She yelled silently. Jason is innocent.
When she got home, she saw Jason had fallen asleep on the recliner. As Stacey looked at him lying there, she felt her heart contract with love and she knew he couldn't be responsible for the sadne
ss and terror of the last week.
She checked on Robby and Nikki in the backyard and then went into the office. Pulling out the list she had made about Mark, she read it over and felt unconvinced he was the one who had taken Kyle. And after all Amanda had been through, she really hoped he wasn’t involved.
But what about Deanna? Could she be involved? Stacey took out the phone book and looked up Deanna Everett's number and address. Gently waking Jason, she told him she would be going out for a while. Then she brought the kids in to watch a DVD so Jason could still doze in his easy chair.
She found the apartment complex without much difficulty. There were about two hundred units and Stacey realized it might take a few minutes to find the right one. She wandered around, noticing the beauty of the day despite the errand she was on. Once she found Deanna's place she hesitated before knocking, not sure what she would say. When a woman she hadn't seen before answered the door, Stacey was surprised.
“Can I help you?” The woman asked.
“Is this Deanna Everett's apartment?”
“Yes. I'm her roommate, Tina.”
“Oh. Is Deanna here?”
“No.”
“Do you know when she'll be back?” Stacey asked, wondering where she could be.
“Is Deanna expecting you?”
Stacey hesitated. “No.”
“May I take a message?”
Stacey looked sideways, thinking. “No. That's all right. Can you just tell me when she'll be back?”
The woman pursed her lips, then apparently came to a decision. “She just left and she'll be out of town for the next week.”
Stacey's eyebrows went up. “Oh! Can you tell me where she went?”
The woman looked at Stacey with distrust. “Who are you, anyway?”
“A friend of Mark Stone's.”
The woman briefly hesitated then seemed to come to a decision. “Please come in.”
Suspicions: a novel of suspense Page 15
