by Andrea Kane
That had been enough to satisfy the kids and the waiters, who were too self-involved to give him a second thought.
But he’d come away with zilch.
Given that, keeping Vance calm wasn’t going to be easy. According to Simone’s earlier phone call, she’d set the stage well, but there was only so much she could do. In addition, Aidan was now going to have to meet and size up the emotional state of Susan Pennington, who was doubtless experiencing the maternal hysteria she had every right to. He’d have to find a way to channel that energy into something positive. The filaments of an idea had occurred to him on his flight. He planned on implementing it ASAP—depending on the Penningtons’ emotional and performance capabilities. That had to be assessed, and if all things checked out, it would be full speed ahead.
Aidan rubbed his forehead, fighting the effects of an overwork headache. It was going to be a long night.
His secure cell phone rang and he answered on the first ring. “Yes.”
“You sound exhausted,” Simone greeted him. “I can almost hear you massaging your temples.”
A grin tugged at Aidan’s lips. “Are you clairvoyant now?”
“No. I just know you. You’re pondering how to deal with the Penningtons, which is going to be emotionally draining. And that’s after putting in three days’ work with little to no sleep, plus a full team videoconference in twenty-five minutes.”
“Hey, I’m a tough guy. I’ll be fine.”
“I plan to make sure of that.”
“Really? And how do you intend to do that?”
“Simple.” Simone’s tone was pure seduction. “I just had a bath and a long nap. I’m wide-awake. I plan to remain that way so I can greet you properly when you arrive at my hotel room—whatever time of night that might be.”
“An invitation like that is like offering food to a starving man.” Aidan felt his blood start to pump despite the impossibility of the situation. “But as much as it kills me, we’ll have to wait for that heated reunion. I’ll probably be with the Penningtons for a couple of hours. Car service will be standing by. But the drive from Tahoe to Palo Alto is four-plus hours. You’ll be getting dressed to go to NanoUSA by the time I show up.”
“Au contraire, mon chéri,” Simone replied. “I took the liberty of contacting our pilot and instructing him to set a flight plan for Lake Tahoe. The Gulfstream will be waiting at the airport whenever you finish up with the Penningtons. You’ll be with me a short time later.”
Aidan started to laugh. “And how did you pull that one off? I’m the only person authorized to commission the jet.”
“What’s that American expression—so sue me?” Simone sounded very pleased with herself. “I may have implied to our pilot that you’d instructed me to contact him and ask him to file the flight plan. Are you angry?”
“Furious.” Aidan’s headache was vanishing as he spoke. “After the videoconference, you’d better order up some late-night room service to fortify yourself. You’re going to need all your energy for what I have in mind.”
San Mateo, California
26 February
Monday, 9:55 p.m. local time
He lit his cigarette and took a deep drag, exhaling and watching the wisps of smoke vanish into the air. It was a disgusting habit. He’d promised himself, yet again, that he’d find a way to quit. Maybe he’d cave and try hypnosis. Nothing else seemed to work. They couldn’t counterbalance his stress. He needed an outlet. And not one that piled pounds on his body. Maybe he’d double the amount of that tasteless, allegedly therapeutic gum he’d been chewing.
He’d concluded his work for the day and reported in. There’d been no red flags. Pennington had spent the morning at NanoUSA. No shocker there. He’d been told to stick to the script of his life, and so far, he had. Family time or not, there was no way he’d be in fulltime vacation mode when his company was about to revolutionize the electronics world. He’d held a full department meeting, run by a high-level overseas McKinsey partner who had checked out. As had the purpose of the meeting. A divisional fine-tuning—boring but necessary. But a possible division overhaul? That had interesting connotations. It could be a coincidence. Or it could be Pennington’s way of finding inroads in order to provide them with whatever they demanded in their next set of instructions. That would be a smart move on his part.
Lauren Pennington wouldn’t have to be disposed of—yet.
Ritz-Carlton
26 February
Monday, 10:53 p.m. local time
Aidan had spent enough time in the hotel lobby to scope out the place for potential surveillance. He’d browsed his email, made a few staged phone calls, and acted like a typical businessman. Then he’d unknotted his tie, slung his jacket over his shoulder, and sucked in his breath—transformed into a businessman who was free to relax and unwind in a resort hotel. His instincts told him there were no eyes on him. Still, he played his part to the last—slinging his carry-on bag over his shoulder, going up to the front desk, and checking in to the room he’d reserved for himself in advance. That done, he’d taken the elevator up to the third floor, entered his room only long enough to chuck his jacket and tie on the bed and use the bathroom before exiting the room and purposely taking the stairs rather than the elevator up to the Penningtons’ fourth-floor suite.
The team videoconference had gone well. He’d kept it short, partly because of his time constraints and partly because he was sitting in the back seat of a town car and, sound-deadening window or not, he wasn’t thrilled by the lack of total privacy. Mostly, he’d listened. He’d put on his noise-canceling headphones for all the debriefings. Everything on track. He’d also had the opportunity to “meet” Derica and Ellie—the Croatian interpreters. Again, Simone had done an A-plus recruiting job. Two attractive women in their mid-thirties. Both from nearby towns in Germany, so they’d gotten to Marc and Philip ASAP. Both well-versed in the Croatian language, one from having lived there for a dozen years and the other from having been employed by a Croatian company for equally long. The former, Derica, had worked undercover cases such as these before, and the latter, Ellie, was fluent in Albanian as well as Croatian. Both women understood the meaning of the word classified. They’d been brought up to speed with all the information they needed to know and were fully prepared for the assignments ahead.
As for Aidan, he’d merely touched on the fact that he might have a specific agenda for the European team to follow, but that it was dependent upon the conversation he was about to have. No one asked questions. They knew why Aidan wasn’t being more forthcoming. He’d give them the information once it was solidified and when his location was secure.
“Expect tomorrow to be busy,” he’d said in closing. “I’ll contact you as soon as developments occur.”
Now, he made his way down the hall and knocked on the door of the Penningtons’ hotel room.
“It’s Aidan,” he said.
Vance opened the door. He looked lousy and like he was about to jump out of his skin. The ashen-faced middle-aged woman standing behind him—obviously his wife, Susan—was peering around to see Aidan, imploring him with her eyes to give them something to cling to. Some good news. Anything.
He’d finesse this as best as he could. No bullshit. No lies. But progress. Things they could do. Collaboration. Hope.
“Come in.” Vance looked nervously up and down the hallway. “Were you followed?”
“Nope.” Aidan closed the door behind him. “Besides, I booked a room here, one flight down. I’m just a vacationer like any other—one who has nothing to do with you.”
Vance’s brows rose. “I didn’t realize you’d done that. But I probably should have. Simone said you had a way of staying invisible.”
“I’ve had years of practice.” Aidan leaned forward and extended his hand to Susan. “I’m Aidan Devereaux.”
She met his handshake, her fingers cold and trembling. “I’m glad you’re here. Lauren is my baby. I need to know everything that’s going
on, please.”
“I understand.”
“I doubt you do.” She inhaled sharply. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m just coming apart at the seams. I feel helpless and terrified. But since Vance is convinced that you’re our best hope of bringing Lauren home alive, I’ve stuck to your rules. I’ve spoken to no one, and I’ve gone about my daily vacation routine. It’s killing me inside, but I’m doing it.”
“That’s essential,” Aidan said, gesturing toward the hotel suite’s sitting room sofa. “You need to keep doing exactly that. But you also need reassurance that there’s been forward motion in the investigation. Well, there is. So let’s all sit down and I’ll fill you in on where things stand.”
Susan led the way, perching at the edge of the couch. “I didn’t order up food. But I can.”
“Thanks, no.” Aidan crossed over and sat in the upholstered chair across from the sofa. “I’d rather just get down to business.”
He waited until Vance had taken a seat beside his wife, using that time to study Susan. Something in particular was on her mind. She was fidgeting now and her gaze had faltered a bit when she’d told him she was following his rules. He’d better find out what was going on—now.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” he asked bluntly.
Susan looked startled, then swallowed hard and nodded. “Jessica and Andrew—our other two children—they’re asking questions and worrying about their sister’s less-than-friendly texts. I’ve waylaid them as best as I can. But they’re highly intelligent adults, Aidan. If they become any more suspicious, they’re likely to start poking around on their own. That could be disastrous. I want them to know the truth. You can do all the talking; that’s fine with me. But at this point it’s more harmful to keep them in the dark than it is to be frank and ask for their silence, just as you did mine.”
Aidan wasn’t particularly surprised by the request. In fact, he was relieved that’s all that Susan was withholding. Something like this he could and would deal with—now.
“I appreciate your position,” he said. “But this situation needs to stay controlled. Including you is as far as I’m comfortable taking this. You’ll have to keep your other two kids in the dark. It’s the only way to ensure mistakes aren’t made. Lie if you have to and tell them Lauren’s contacted you and she’s off having a great time in areas that have terrible cell reception. It’s only for a few days. Please don’t make me regret having brought you into the loop.”
Susan bowed her head, grappling with her emotions. When she looked up, her cheeks were stained with tears. “Fine,” she said. “I’ll do as you ask.”
“Will you?” Aidan searched her face, seeking the confirmation he needed.
“Yes. I will—for Lauren.”
“Good.” She wasn’t lying. Aidan would have spotted that immediately.
Dashing away her tears, Susan leaned forward. “Tell us where things stand. Do you know where Lauren is? Do you have a rescue plan in place?”
“Susan, let Aidan talk before we start firing questions.” Vance’s rigid body language belied his gentle admonishment. He was struggling not to take control of this conversation. But he was clearly trying to be pragmatic—as pragmatic as a father could be under these circumstances.
“All right,” Susan replied, although the barrage of questions was still flickering across her face. “Go ahead, Aidan.”
“Start with your overseas team,” Vance said. “I already know what’s going on at this end thanks to Simone.”
“I intended to do just that,” Aidan replied calmly. He had to keep the Penningtons from erupting into panic. He’d give them everything he comfortably could—and then elicit their help. “My tactical team is in place and on the move. We’ve narrowed down the geographic area where the kidnappers are holding Lauren. We believe she’s somewhere in Croatia.”
This time it was Vance who couldn’t contain himself. “Somewhere? Croatia is a country, Devereaux, not a neighborhood. How are you going to cover that vast an area in a matter of days?”
“Quickly and strategically,” Aidan answered calmly. “Remember that, as of yesterday, we weren’t even sure if she was still in Europe. The kidnappers could have flown her anywhere in the world. We’ve gone from global to a single country in a matter of twenty-four hours. If we can do that, we can go the rest of the way. As we speak, my team is preparing to connect with the right people and make its way through the various Croatian cities and towns.”
“They’re all fluent in Croatian?”
“Our contacts and translators are, yes.”
Vance rose and began pacing the room. “It’s not enough. There has to be more we can do.”
“There is.” It was time for the implementation of Aidan’s idea. “I think I have a way for you to help us.”
Vance jerked around to face Aidan. “Name it.”
“It’s been over two days since the kidnappers have contacted you. I’d bet money that you’ll hear from them tomorrow. This time they’ll provide you with a way to contact them so they can get what they need. They’re going to want something as a show of faith—probably photographs from the specifications document.”
“How am I supposed to deal with that?”
“Tell them you need time. Buy yourself as much as they’ll allow.”
“Even so, how do I get the photos to them? Nano is a fortress. I can’t send out anything.”
“I’m working on a solution to that. In the meantime, you call me the minute the contact is made. I’ll have a plan in place. What’s crucial—and the way you can help us—is in your demands. You’re going to agree to give them what they want—under one condition. You’re going to insist on daily communications with Lauren to ensure she’s alive.”
“I’m going to what?”
“You’re going to demand to see and talk to your daughter on a daily basis.”
Vance stared. “And why the hell would they allow that?”
“Because whoever hired these terrorists wants your technology. They don’t want your daughter. In their minds, Lauren is just a means to an end.”
“After which, what? What would stop them from killing her?”
“The fear of a huge international investigation. Right now, this extortion/kidnapping is under wraps. But if a major US executive’s daughter was murdered overseas, and that executive started talking about it? All hell would break loose. Their entire purpose would be compromised, and their identities threatened to be exposed. Trust me. They’ll agree to the proof-of-life demand. It gets them what they want and actually reassures them that you’re playing along. My team will set things up, ensure you have a secure log-in link that only you and they will have access to.”
“Oh, Vance,” Susan said, tears gathering in her eyes. “If we could speak to Lauren, see her, know she’s all right—it would mean everything to me.”
“And to me,” Vance replied. “All right, Aidan. Once again, I’ll put my trust in you. I’ll make that demand.”
Aidan turned to Susan. “I’m sorry, Susan, but this has to be just Vance and Lauren. The kidnappers believe you know nothing about what’s going on. We have to keep it that way.”
Her face fell as she struggled with the fact that Aidan was right. “I understand . . .” she agreed at last, in a small, shaky voice.
“Vance, to ensure Lauren’s safety, no stupid questions,” Aidan warned. “No asking Lauren about her surroundings, her kidnappers, or her whereabouts. These animals might not be rocket scientists but they’re not idiots. Subtlety is key here. You’ll want to ask her if she’s unharmed. If she’s eating, sleeping, being treated well. All those things are normal parental questions that don’t raise any red flags.”
“Agreed,” Vance replied.
“Also, don’t be upset if she seems dazed. That doesn’t imply drugs.”
“You think they’ll drug her?” Susan asked, alarmed.
Aidan shook his head. “They realize you’d pick up on that. What
I’m saying is that she’s most likely been inside the same dwelling for a week, with no access to the world and no sense of time or place. So she might seem out of it. Don’t let that alarm you. Concentrate on what’s important—the end goal.”
Vance rubbed his jaw. “I sense you’re going somewhere specific with this—besides just putting our minds at ease.”
“I am,” Aidan replied. “Croatia’s regions often produce foods that are specific to that region. If we could zero in on one of those foods, it could narrow things down considerably. I want you to tell Lauren how worried you are about whether she’s eating healthfully. I want you to insist that she tell you what she’s eaten each day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a natural request from a nervous dad. With a modicum of luck, she’ll name a food that will tell us what region she’s in. The kidnappers probably won’t even notice it, and if they do, they’d never think of it as a clue. You’re supposedly acting alone, a terrified father, not a connoisseur of regional cuisine or a member of international law enforcement.”
“It’s a good idea, if it pays off.”
“We won’t know till we try. In the meantime, my team will work in tandem. They’ll cover the entire country, until we tell them otherwise. Once they come up with something specific—with or without our help—they’ll go after the kidnappers like hawks.”
“Please find Lauren,” Susan whispered. “Please bring her safely home to us. Please.”
Aidan never blinked. “Count on it.”
Ritz-Carlton
One hour later
Aidan had stayed with the Penningtons long enough to keep them calm, reassured, and on track.
Now he made a quick stop at his hotel room, intending to get in immediate touch with Terri.
The vibrating of his cell phone put a hold on that.
“Yes?” he answered.
“I hear you’ve been trying to track me down,” a slightly accented male voice at the other end of the phone responded. “It was a long day and an even longer night. But I’m home now, enjoying my morning coffee and talking on a secure line. So tell me what you need.”
