All My Tomorrows (33 page)

"Are you all right, Mags?"

"Yeah. It's just that she's a young girl living a life of privilege and what made her the most happy was gaining a little independence. When she was on that horse, she was free and totally mobile. I am so looking forward to seeing that expression and that level of emotion in other handicapped children."

"You, my dear, have a very tender heart. Please don't ever change. I love you just the way you are."

"Thank you, sweetie. Oh, before I say something I shouldn't, it became obvious to me in a conversation I had with Jess that Chuck hasn't told her about the implant. She was pretty sad tonight about being stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of her life."

"You're right. Chuck has decided not to get her hopes up before it's been proven to work in the lab animals."

"Well, I told her not to lose hope. She's a very special girl, Jordan. She's so good with the horses. I'm looking forward to taking her to the auction on Friday."

"She should enjoy that. I remember the first auction you took me to. You fired me that day, if I remember correctly," Jordan chuckled.

"That's what you get for calling me a high-maintenance diva."

"Your words, not mine, my love. Look, I've got to run. We're having dinner tonight with one of the suppliers."

Maggie glanced at the clock on her bedside table. The time was nine-fifteen. "That's right. I forgot about the three-hour time difference between Vermont and California. Let me say goodnight then before you head to dinner. I love you, Jordan. I hope you have sweet dreams."

"Love you too, Mags. Sleep well."

CHAPTER 40

"Buckle up," Maggie said as she started the truck. "Are you excited about the auction?"

Jessie nodded vigorously. "You bet I am. How many horses are you going to buy?" Jessie asked.

"It depends on how good the stock is. I'm specifically looking for mustangs, but I'll pick up any horse that has the temperament to deal with young children."

"Do you mind if I turn on the radio?" Jessie asked.

"Go for it."

Soon, both of them were seat-dancing and singing out loud to the catchy beats coming from the radio. At one point, Maggie glanced at Jessie across the front seat and smiled.

I think I'm going to like this parenting thing
, she thought to herself.

* * *

Maggie raised her number card high above the crowd to place a bid on the current sale then crossed her fingers as the auctioneer accepted her offer. After a short pause, he said, "Going once, going twice, sold to the pretty redhead."

"Yes," Maggie said as she won the bid on the prized mustang. "Okay, that makes four horses. I think that's enough for one day."

"How will you get them home?" Jessie asked. "They can't ride in the back of the truck, can they?"

Maggie laughed. "No sweetie, they can't. I'll send John after them tomorrow with the horse trailer." She squatted down in front of Jessie. "That last mare I bought is for you," she said.

Jessie's eyes grew wide. "Really? Is it really mine?"

"Absolutely. You'll have to come over on a regular basis to brush and feed her, and you can ride her any time, using the new saddle. You will be responsible for naming her and training her. Do you think you can do that?"

"Yes. Yes, I can." Jessie hugged Maggie fiercely. "Thank you, Maggie. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, dumpling. Now how about we get some lunch then head back and see how John is coming on the loading station he was building for you."

"Okay."

"All right then. I just need to go pay for the horses and we can be on our way. Will you be okay right here for a new minutes? I'll be just a few yards away."

"Yes."

Maggie kissed Jessie on top of the head. "I'll be right back."

Maggie walked to the cashier's table and settled her purchases then returned to spot she had left Jessie. "Jessie? Jessie, where are you?" Maggie said as panic began to set in deep within her gut. "Jessie!"

"Jordan, my God, Jordan, she's gone!"

"Maggie, calm down. What do you mean, she's gone?"

"I… I went to pay for the horses and when I turned around, she was gone. I only left her alone for five minutes. Oh, my God, Jordan, what am I going to do?"

"Did you call the police?"

"Yes, they're here right now."

"Good. Chuck and I will catch the first plane back, no, wait, he just said he'll charter a plane. We'll be home as soon as possible."

"Maggie, this is Chuck. Did anyone see where she might have gone?"

"Chuck, I'm so sorry. You trusted me with her. I'm so sorry."

"Maggie, this isn't your fault. Did anyone see where she might have gone?"

"The police are questioning bystanders now."

"Is there a policeman nearby that I can talk to?"

"Yes. Hold on a minute." Maggie pulled a police officer aside. "Officer, I have Jessie's father on the phone. He'd like to speak with you." She handed the phone to the policeman.

"Sir, this is Detective Williams," the officer said.

"Detective Williams, my name is Charles Malone and the missing girl is my daughter. Can you—"

"Charles Malone? The Charles Malone, as in Malone Industries?" the officer asked.

"Yes, exactly."

"Well, that changes things a bit."

"How so?" Chuck asked.

"This may not be a random kidnapping, Mr. Malone. Considering your wealth, she may have been targeted," the police officer explained. "That also means she may still be alive."

"Please explain yourself, Detective Williams," Chuck said.

"You're a wealthy man, Mr. Malone. If the kidnapper is after ransom, it would be in his best interest to keep her safe… at least until the ransom is paid, which I encourage you not to do without involving the police."

"Miss Downs indicated you were interviewing bystanders. Do you have any witnesses?"

"Actually, we do. We have three witnesses who recall seeing a man pushing a young girl in a wheelchair toward the parking lot. The girl appeared to be unconscious."

"Did any of the witnesses do anything about it? I mean, an unconscious girl in a wheelchair should set off some alarm bells, shouldn't it?"

"Mr. Malone, the bystanders had no way of knowing if that was normal for the girl."

"Did they get a description of the man who took her?"

"Yes sir." Detective Williams opened his notebook and read the eyewitness descriptions to Chuck. "Approximately five foot, ten inches, brown hair, average build, wearing blue jeans and a green polo shirt."

"That description could fit countless men," Chuck said.

"Exactly, Mr. Malone. Mr. Malone, may I ask where you are right now?"

"I'm in California on a business trip, and soon to board a charter jet to get home."

"I recommend you keep you phone line available in the event the kidnapper calls you, and please, do not negotiate with him without involving the police. We will do everything we can to get your daughter back, but you need to cooperate with us. Do you understand?"

"What I understand, Detective Williams, is that I will do whatever is within my power to bring Jessie home safely — at any cost."

* * *

Chuck shut off the phone and handed it back to Jordan. "The police think she's been kidnapped," he said.

"Kidnapped? Why?" Jordan asked.

"Ransom."

"Chuck, if Jessie was targeted, that would mean someone had to know Maggie was taking her to the auction today. Are you sure it wasn't just a random kidnapping?"

Chuck ran a hand through his hair. "We'd better hope to hell it wasn't some murdering rapist who grabbed Jessie randomly. If Jessie was grabbed because of who I am and what I could possibly pay for her safe return, then they'd be more apt not to abuse or kill her."

Chuck looked at his watch. "The charter jet should be ready to go in about a half hour. We need to get to the airport."

* * *

Maggie ran down the porch steps directly into Jordan's arms as she climbed out of Chuck's truck. She was crying hysterically.

"Maggie. Maggie, sweetheart, please calm down," Jordan whispered as she held her close.

"It's all my fault," Maggie said. "I shouldn't have left her alone."

Chuck came up behind Maggie and took her out of Jordan's arms. He turned her around to face him and held her by the shoulders. "Maggie. This was not your fault. If someone wanted to snatch her, they could have done it anywhere. Hell, they could have taken her from the playground at school. We're here to pick you up before going to the police station. Please don't cry. We'll find her. I promise."

"I'm so sorry, Chuck," Maggie said.

"I know. I am, too. Come on, we should go." Just as Chuck reached for the door handle, his cell phone rang. He pulled it out of the holster on his belt and looked at the incoming number. "Who the hell can this be?" he said as he pressed the answer button. "Hello," he said.

"Is this Charles Malone?" a voice said.

"Yes. Who is calling?" Chuck replied.

"I have your daughter."

"You son of a bitch! Where is she?" Chuck demanded, intense anger evident in his voice.

Jordan leaned in close so she could hear the conversation. Chuck pulled the phone away from his ear and pressed the speaker button.

"Never mind where she is."

"Why did you take her?" Chuck asked.

"You have something I want. If you play nice and give it to me, I'll consider giving your daughter back to you."

"If you hurt one hair on her head, I'll—"

"Don't threaten me, Malone. You are in no position to make threats."

"Is Jessie all right?"

"She's fine… for now, that is."

"I want to talk to her."

"Very well."

After a short pause, Jessie's voice came across the speaker. "Daddy?"

"Jessie. Jessie, honey are you all right?" Chuck asked.

"I'm scared."

"I'm sure you are, sweetie. Daddy will do all he can to get you back. Jordan and Maggie will too."

"Is Maggie okay?"

Maggie stepped forward to assure Jessie she was all right, but Jordan stopped her and signaled for her to be quiet.

"Maggie is fine, sweetie," Chuck said. "Try not to be afraid, Jess. We'll do everything we can to get you back as soon as possible."

"That's enough," the man's voice cut in.

"Who are you?" Chuck demanded.

"Never mind who I am. Now if you want to see your daughter again, you'll do as I say."

"What do you want?"

"I want the device."

Chuck looked at Jordan. "What device?" he asked.

"You know damned well what I'm talking about Malone. If you fail to deliver it, your daughter dies."

"Deliver it where?"

"You'll know that soon enough. Oh, and I want it delivered by Lewis."

Jordan frowned.

"Why Lewis?" Chuck asked.

"No more questions. I will contact you tomorrow with a location."

"You'll get nothing if Jessie isn't part of the drop-off."

"I make the rules, Malone, not you. I will contact you tomorrow." The line fell silent.

Chuck immediately checked his incoming calls and saw that the number was blocked. "Fuck!" he cursed.

"Did you recognize his voice?" Jordan asked.

"No. It was probably disguised anyway."

"Maybe we should call the police," Maggie suggested.

"No. Not yet," Chuck said. "I don't want to take any chances that he'll harm Jessie. It's bad enough she'll be spending the night with that monster. I hope to God he doesn't do something stupid." Tears filled Chuck's eyes as he struggled to continue.

"Jessie is a strong girl, Chuck," Jordan said. "You're right, as long as he doesn't do something stupid, she'll be okay."

"You're welcome to stay here tonight in case he calls back in the middle of the night," Maggie suggested as they entered the house. "Anyone up for a beer?" she asked.

"Soda for me," Jordan replied.

"I'll take a beer. Thanks," Chuck said. He paced back and forth across the living room. "Who do you think it is?" he asked.

"My money is on Hollinbeck," Jordan replied.

"Do you think so?" Chuck said.

"I don't know who else it could be. I mean, he knows about the device and he knows how powerful it is."

"You could say the same about each and every member of our development team," Chuck pointed out.

"True."

Maggie brought them their drinks. "Jordan, I don't like the idea of you being the one to deliver the device to this guy," she said.

"I tend to agree with her," Chuck added.

"What choice do we have? Like it or not, he holds all the cards here."

"Not all of them," Chuck said. "We still have the device. All we need to do is find a way to get Jessie back without giving it up."