Kenny’s shoulders shook as she laughed out loud. “Oh, my God. That was great, Sophie,” she snorted, wiping tears from her eyes. “It was pretty pompous of her, considering that Grandma came here from Ireland, to instantly assume that you were an illegal.” She turned back to Jaylen, a serious look in her eyes. “Sophie is the manager of this house, get it? If you want to get along with me, you’d better be nicer to my friends. Otherwise, I’ll have these guys kick your ass out on the street and they won’t be gentle.”
Miguel, impressed with his protectees’ valor, took a step toward Jaylen.
“Okay, all right. Fine. I apologize, Sofía,” Jaylen confessed. “I wasn’t expecting to feel so isolated and threatened.”
“You, threatened? That’s bullshit,” Kenny argued.
“You show her more affection than you do anyone else and I admit I was upset by that.”
Kenny put her hands on her hips and glared at the woman. “I told you, you are nothing to me. Sophie, who isn’t even old enough to be my mother, has been more of a mother to me than you will ever be. She’s my friend. You’re a drug fiend. There’s no comparison.”
“Someday, and soon, Makenna, you will see that I’ve changed, that I can be your mother and make up for all the years I’ve missed.”
Kenny shook her head and walked toward the door. “Don’t waste your time dreaming up those fantasies. It’s never going to happen.”
“Let me show you to your room, Jaylen,” Sophie offered, waving a hand toward the stairs.
Kenny started to complain, but Sophie gave her a confident smile. Only because Miguel was beside her did Kenny relent. Then she turned to Tobias and handed him Jaylen’s phone. “See what you can get off of this. Cross-match it with any IP addresses we have on the kidnapper.”
Tobias examined the phone and shook his head. “It’s a burner phone. I doubt I’ll get much from it but I’ll try.”
“Now, why would an innocent, sober woman who only wants to help need a throwaway phone?” Kenny asked out loud.
Chapter Twenty
“Where should we have looked?” Chelsey asked.
“I realized that it would be almost impossible for Makenna to learn what those initials were for, so I did the sign for medals, hoping she would remember where they were. The picture of my husband’s medals in the shadow box hanging on the wall was what I wanted her to find.”
“Yeah, we saw that photo, but then we found the letters.”
“That photo was taken here, in this apartment.”
Chelsey’s mouth gaped open, and her eyes grew large. “What?”
“Yes. We lived here just a few months ago, before the lottery.”
“So, this is where you lived before the lottery… and Jaylen would have known that because of the letters.”
“Yes, I tried to stay in contact with her, but it was always at her leisure. I might hear from her a couple of times a year. But when Kenny won the money, I started hearing from her a lot more.”
“We read those letters. She said she wanted to help Kenny with her money.”
Deidre chuckled. “Not as long as I live. That kind of money would put Jaylen in a grave in a week’s time. She’s my daughter, I can’t let that happen.”
“I met her last night,” Chelsey said. “She said she wanted to get to know Kenny, but Kenny wasn’t buying it. They got into a huge fight and Kenny made her leave.”
“The warden told me that the last year she was in prison she was a model inmate. And blood and urine tests proved she was drug-free. I was hoping when Jaylen got out we could all sit down and talk. I wrote to her that it was time to make amends. It was time to meet her daughter. That’s probably why she was there.”
“She could have called first. Kenny was hosting a party, and—”
“Good, I was hoping she would go ahead with the party.”
“She did, but only so she could talk with Police Commissioner Weathersby.”
“Oh, was Michael at the party? I’m sorry I missed it.”
“Yes, Kenny was hoping to convince him to let us use the police database to search for suspects. It didn’t work.”
“But what a good idea,” Deidre said, and then became contemplative. “How is she doing with all this? I’m so worried that it’s too much of a load for her to carry.”
“You’d be so proud of her. The initial ransom note that was delivered at the hospital right after you were kidnapped said that if she brought the police in, they would kill you. So she brought Sophie, her son, Tobias, and me in to help her. Tobias is studying computer science, and I’m studying to be a forensic scientist and was helping her with fingerprinting suspects at the party.”
“But what about Michael? Isn’t he helping?”
Chelsey shook her head. “No, I told you, we couldn’t bring anyone in.”
“But he isn’t just anybody. He’s my boyfriend. I think he may ask me to marry him soon.”
“Wow. Does Kenny know? Because she didn’t indicate it.”
“Not yet. I was going to tell her, but then she won the lottery and took off for Vegas. Besides, I’m not sure I want to get married again. I enjoy his company, and the sex is really good, but I don’t know about living the rest of my life with him.”
“Wow,” Chelsey repeated. Something about a grandmother having sex that didn’t quite sit right with her. But on the other hand, go Grandma!
“Well, anyway… tell me more about the party.”
“About the party or about Commissioner Weathersby in his dashing suit?” Chelsey teased.
“I actually got to see a picture of him. Harold was at the party taking pictures on my cell phone. He showed them to me when he got back. Which reminds me, how long have you been in love with my granddaughter?”
“Um, oh, um…” Chelsey was at a loss for words. How did Deidre know when she only just realized it herself a few hours ago?
“That’s all right. I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice,” Deidre explained. “And the picture of you two kissing was a dead giveaway. Does Makenna know?”
“No. I… um, haven’t had the courage to say it out loud yet.”
“You will, when the time is right.”
“So, then, you don’t mind?”
“After the way you tore into me thinking I was to blame for all this? No, honey, I know you’re a good woman.”
There was a rattle in the lock, and the door swung open. “Suppertime, ladies. Hope you like leftovers, courtesy of our millionaire’s party last night,” Harold said as he brought in a tray with plastic bags full of an assortment of finger food and two paper plates.
“My goodness. How were you able to cart away so much food, Harold?”
“I went prepared,” he replied, handing the tray to Chelsey, then went back into the hallway and brought in a small, folded table. “I lined my pockets with plastic baggies,” he explained as he unfolded the table, “and went from room to room, filling them up as I checked out the mansion. Very nice.” Once the table legs had been locked into place, he took the tray from Chelsey and sat it on the table. “I’ll see about getting another chair in here for you, Miss, but for now, I’m afraid you’ll have to eat standing up.”
“What about the bathroom? And where do we sleep?” Chelsey asked, surreptitiously exploring ways she could escape.
Harold looked at her and shrugged, then he turned and left the room, locking the door behind him.
“I’ve been taking little catnaps in the chair when I can. It seems to help my back,” Deidre said. “And he will escort you to the bathroom. The lock on the door is broken, but he’s a gentleman, at least. He will wait outside.”
“I guess if you have to be kidnapped, it’s good to be kidnapped by a gentleman with a gun.”
Deidre chuckled and picked up a pastry from the portable table. “You’d better eat something, dear. He will take it all away again in thirty minutes.”
“I’m not really hungry.”
“I’ve been the same
way, but trust me, this is a real treat compared to the gruel we’ll get next time. Try to eat something.”
The door opened again, and Harold tossed a cushion from a chair through. Then he tilted a chair on its side and angled it through the door. “Figured since I needed to come back, I’d go ahead and bring your chair. You’re welcome.” He pushed the chair against the wall and then dusted his hands as if to dust the work away. Then he walked back out into the hallway.
Chelsey took a step closer to the open door.
“Not yet. Remember, he has a gun,” Deidre pointed out.
Chelsey was confident she could outrun Harold, but outrunning a bullet was a different story. She needed to be smart, not desperate. Besides, there was no way Deidre would be able to run, so she’d have to figure out some way to incapacitate Harold long enough to allow them to escape. Of course, getting the gun away from him would be the ideal solution, but her chances of doing that were minuscule at best. Maybe she could hit him over the head with that table and knock him out or at least daze him enough so that she could grab the gun. After all, he wasn’t just guarding an older woman with a bad back anymore.
“Okay, it’s time to smile pretty for the camera,” he said as he walked back in, carrying two sheets of paper.
“I just did that,” Chelsey complained.
“I know, but I’ve got plans this evening and don’t want to forget to do this. Unless you want me to wake you up at midnight?”
“No, that won’t be necessary,” Deidre assured him. She turned away from him toward Chelsey and did the sign for medal. Chelsey nodded her understanding. “So, what are we saying today?” she asked, turning back to Harold.
“Same thing, just with a lot more cha-chings,” he replied with a grin, handing each of them a sheet of paper, each with a message on it.
Deidre’s paper read Forty-five million bucks, cha-ching! And Chelsey’s read Forty million bucks, big-ass cha-ching!
The women looked at the amounts, then at each other.
“You’re not very good with simple division, are you, Harold?” Chelsey asked.
Deidre rolled her eyes. “You couldn’t just say eighty-five million, Harold?
“This was faster, that’s all,” he replied. “It’s all just a game, anyway.”
“What does that mean?” Deidre asked.
Harold ignored her question and pulled his cell phone from his jeans pocket.
Chelsey noticed how precariously the pistol protruded above his belt. It wouldn’t take much to jostle it out. All she needed to do was pretend to trip and…
Deidre pulled on her arm and whispered, “Not very subtle, honey. His hands are too close to his gun.”
Chelsey had to admit Deidre was right. Obviously, she had thought of doing the same thing. But Chelsey wasn’t as patient as she was. She wasn’t going to wait five days to make a move like Deidre had.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to show you this, Deidre,” he said, tapping on his phone. He held the cell phone out to her but wouldn’t let her hold it.
“What on earth?” Deidre said as she looked at the picture. It was a close up of the message. “Kidnapping the kidnapper? But, who’s holding the sign?”
Chelsey peeked over her shoulder at the phone and laughed when she saw the picture. “Kenny has kidnapped Jaylen. Brilliant!”
“I thought it was pretty funny, considering.”
“Considering what, Harold?” Deidre asked, searching his eyes for the answer.
“Nothing,” he responded, looking back at his phone. He opened the camera app and pointed at the wall. “Now, if you ladies would stand by the wall and hold up your messages, I’ll take the picture and let you get back to your food.”
Deidre shook her head. She was tired of playing the game and now she had an innocent girl to protect. “You want my picture you’ll have to take it over here because I’m tired of standing,” she informed him and walked over to her chair. She sat down gingerly, favoring her back and exhaled loudly.
“Are you all right, Deidre?” Chelsey asked.
“My back is hurting much worse today. Harold, do you have any aspirin, and maybe some gum to chew?” When she checked into the hospital she had left her medication at home, and Harold refused to let her bring her purse, which had her chewing gum in it.
“Yeah, I’ll get you some right after I take the picture.”
“Well, I’m not getting up, so if you’re going to take the damn picture, you’ll have to take it with me right here in this chair.”
Harold looked around as if searching for the right thing to do.
“I can sit on the arm of the chair beside her,” Chelsey offered.
Before Harold could agree or disagree, Deidre patted the arm, and Chelsey walked over and sat down.
“There, you see, Harold. Problem solved,” Deidre pointed out, holding up her sign with her left hand, and forming the sign for medal with her right.
Chelsey followed Deidre’s lead and held her paper up, also forming the sign for medal with her right hand.
“Fine. Let’s just get this done,” he said, pointing his phone at them. He checked to make sure the picture came out all right, then he put the phone back in his pocket. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to pick up your trash and the table. Oh, and bring you some aspirin.” And with that, he left the room.
As soon as Chelsey heard the lock turn, she got up and sat in her own chair. “Now what?”
“We won’t be served snacks between now and breakfast, so you should eat something before he comes back and takes it away.”
Chelsey stood up and walked over to the table. “Can I bring you something?”
“No, thank you. I’ll be all right.”
She looked at the food and then back at Deidre. Then she had an idea. “Some of this food, like the cookies and pastry, should last a day or two without refrigeration, right? Why don’t I put them in the closet and we can munch on them later.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. There’s always room for dessert,” Deidre said with a smile.
Chelsey grinned as she picked up a clear plastic bag with assorted cookies in it and another bag with pastries. She carried them to the closet and set them on a shelf, remembering to close the door so Harold wouldn’t be wise to it.
“I know you’re searching for a way to escape, Chelsey,” Deidre began, “but don’t underestimate Harold just because he’s a puppet. He’s more afraid of the puppet master than he is of us, and I believe that he won’t hesitate to use that gun if he had to. With that said, if you get the chance, take it. Don’t worry about me, just run and bring back help.”
“I’m not going to abandon you, Deidre,” Chelsey responded.
“You won’t be. You’ll be coming back with the police and putting an end to this nightmare.”
Chelsey nodded, her mind racing with indecision. “I’ll think about it.”
“And I wouldn’t complain if Michael swooped in and carried me away in his arms.”
Chelsey laughed and added, “Only if Kenny is with him.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Everyone, including the guards, was sitting in the dining room eating a late meal in silence. The guards put up an argument because it was against protocol, but Kenny insisted. Even after everyone went to bed, they would rotate through the night, one of them standing guard while their protectees and the other two slept. Eating a meal with someone you’ve sworn to protect gave both the protector and the protectee a closer bond.
“Sofía, these Reuben Nachos are delicious,” Jaylen exclaimed. “My mother used to make these a lot when I was a kid.”
“Thank you,” Sophie replied. “I was surprised at how easy they are to make. Bagel chips, corn beef, sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese and some horseradish. Five-minute prep, ten minutes to cook and only one dish to clean.”
“Here, let me,” Tobias said, picking up the dish and scooping the last of the nachos onto his plate.
“Are you going to lick the dish, too?�
� Kenny teased.
“I might,” he retorted.
“I really appreciate that my first meal with you all was an Irish one. Thank you, Sofía, or may I call you Sophie?”
“No, you may not,” Kenny growled.
“Yes, you may,” Sophie contradicted.
Both Kenny and Tobias looked at Sophie questioningly.
“We don’t have time to be angry with each other,” Sophie said. “Save that for later… if you must. We’re all sitting around this table right now because of one person, Deidre.”
“And I am ready to do whatever it takes to get Mom back,” Jaylen stated.
“Well, I’m certainly not ready to trust you,” Kenny informed Jaylen. “You’re only here to make sure no one else gets kidnapped.”
Jaylen rolled her eyes. “Whatever gets you through the day.”
Sophie shook her head. “All right, children. Play nice.”
“I believe Jaylen is older than everyone sitting at this table, Soph,” Kenny said sharply. “Combined.”
Jaylen slammed her fork down on the plate and stood up. “May I have your permission to take my plate to the kitchen, Warden?”
“No, you may not,” Kenny scoffed. “Stay out of Sophie’s kitchen.”
“Fine, I didn’t want to wash my dish anyway,” Jaylen snorted. “What about the bathroom? Or would you rather that I squat here and relieve myself.”
Kenny glared at her. “You do and I’ll rub your nose in it.”
“Carla, would you be so kind as to show Jaylen where the bathroom is, please?” Sophie asked, sounding more Southern then Hispanic.
“Sure,” Carla replied, wiping her lips with a napkin and standing up.
“Keep your hand on your gun, Carla,” Kenny quipped sarcastically.
As Jaylen followed her out of the room, Tobias glared at his mother. “Don’t give her my bodyguard, Mamá.”
Jackpot Page 21
