Chapter Sixteen

 

I’m at a wedding with the president of the United States. Despite their suits and ties, the Secret Service agents stood out among the guests, reminding her just who was somewhere inside the mansion.

She watched the agent currently standing near a door into Cliff House. Sunglasses covered his eyes, but she suspected he took in everything around him, making sure the president remained safe while attending his nephew’s wedding. She would never want the agent’s job. She preferred knowing who the bad guys were and being on the offensive, rather than having them surprise her. Another agent, this one a woman, approached the one Taylor watched. They exchanged a few words then the female agent entered the mansion, a building she’d only got a brief look at inside when they first arrived. As she expected, Cliff House was as extravagant and grand as the Newport mansions open to the public for tours.

While inside, she had met a few more of Curt’s cousins, including the president’s daughters, Callie and Sara, and their husbands. Honestly, neither woman had needed introductions. She would’ve recognized both women and their spouses anywhere. But that had been well over an hour ago, long before many of the other guests arrived.

Taylor felt his presence before she heard his voice. She always did. Whenever he was near, the air around her changed. Her body picked up on his proximity. Taylor couldn’t explain it.

“Sorry I was gone so long.”

“I didn’t even realize you’d left.”

Curt touched her back and slowly caressed the skin exposed by the dress. “Is that so?” He left a trail of goose bumps behind. “Guess I need to work harder tonight when we get home, so you don’t forget about me so easily in the future.”

She thought about how hard he’d worked this morning after waking her up. Liquid heat exploded in her stomach. If he worked much harder, she’d be dead. But she would certainly die happy and with a smile on her face.

“I bumped into Derek on my way back. He invited us out on his boat tomorrow afternoon.”

Taylor pulled her thoughts out of Curt’s bedroom and back to their conversation. A safer place for them, considering the number of people gathered around them. “What did you tell him?” She’d gone on a cruise once, but otherwise she’d never stepped foot on anything bigger than a kayak. A day out on the open ocean sounded fun.

“Some other time. It’s only June. We’ve got all summer, and Derek and Brooklyn go out all the time. I think my cousin would live at sea if he could.”

His cousin was Derek Sherbrooke. The man never needed to step foot in a courtroom and represent a client again. Like all of Curt’s relatives, he had more money than he’d ever need. Oddly, none of them acted that way. At least none of the family members she’d met so far did.

“It would make getting a pizza delivered difficult,” Taylor said, rather than what she’d really been thinking. They never discussed money, and she avoided the topic of his family tree.

“That’s not the only downside, trust me. I spent two weeks out on a boat with Derek a few summers ago. Two of the longest weeks of my life.”

Yeah, not being able to get a pizza did sound insignificant compared to the difficulties she imagined living at sea could create.

She spotted Jake walking toward them before Curt did. She’d guessed he was around somewhere, but this was the first time she’d seen him today. “I think your cousin is looking for you.” Taylor touched his arm while she spoke, and he followed her gaze.

“I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Nana wants the photographer to do a picture of all the grandchildren together before the wedding,” Jake said after greeting them. “Uncle Mark sent me to round up you and Scott. Everyone else is already in the library.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Curt, does it look like I’m kidding?” The first time she met Jake, she noticed he had a sense of humor. Right now, though, he sounded completely serious. She didn’t think he was pulling Curt’s leg.

“Aren’t we all a bit old for family pictures?”

“Nana’s almost ninety. Do you really think she cares how old we are?” Jake asked.

She’d met Curt’s grandmother when they first arrived. The woman didn’t look or act like any ninety-year-old women she knew.

“She said the one she’s got is too old. And since everyone’s here today, including your brother, she wants a new one. The sooner we go, the sooner it’ll be over,” Jake explained before Curt protested more.

Holding in her laughter was impossible. Listening to the two grown men complain as they walked across the lawn reminded her of Reese’s response when told to clean her room or put away her laundry. “Think of it like this: you’ll be making your nana very happy.”

Her comment earned her a dirty look from both men.

“I see Scott with Aunt Marilyn. I’ll grab him and meet you inside,” Jake said before leaving them.

From the doorway, she watched the photographer position everyone before stepping back and surveying the group. Taylor thought it looked perfect. Evidently the photographer disagreed, because she directed Curt and Scott to swap places then asked Curt’s sister to turn more to the right.

“No. No. Gray should stand between Derek and Trent,” Theresa Sherbrooke, Curt’s grandmother, told the photographer. Just one of half a dozen suggestions she’d given since they gathered together in the library.

Before she lost it and disturbed everyone with her laughter, Taylor moved into the hallway. She was quickly learning Curt’s grandmother was a force all her own, as well as a woman with the love and respect of her entire family.

An unexpected ring sounded from her purse. She’d brought her cell along in case an emergency came up at home. She never actually expected to hear it ring today, or even this weekend. Taylor took several more steps away from the library door before pulling it out.

Mom. The simple name stared back at Taylor as a sudden coldness descended over her, sinking into her very core. She leaned against the wall and swallowed. Mom knew her plans for today. She’d never call unless an emergency had come up at home. “What’s wrong?” she demanded, skipping a polite hello.

“Reese is missing.” Mom said the words Taylor prayed she’d never hear. “Your sister took her.”

Fear welled up inside her chest and choked her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get enough air into her lungs. Her heart hammered against her chest, threatening to break through her rib cage. This can’t be happening.

Get it together, Taylor commanded. She needed a clear head. Without one, she’d be of no help to Reese or Mom.

“Eliza took Reese? When? How?”

“This afternoon, from the birthday party.” Mom confirmed Taylor’s worst nightmare.

“Did you call the police?” It didn’t matter if Eliza was Reese’s biological mother or not. If she’d taken Reese without permission, the police needed to be involved.

“They’re with me now.” Mom’s voice quivered.

She wanted every detail, but first she needed a way home. “Let me find a way home and I’ll call you back. If anything changes before you hear from me, call right away.”

Asking Curt to leave his cousin’s wedding was out, which left her with two options: borrow Curt’s convertible, or use Rent-A-Ride. She’d rather drive herself, but understood Curt not wanting her to borrow a car that cost more than some homes.

With the family photo done, many of Curt’s cousins had left the library, including those in the wedding party. She’d lost track of time, but the ceremony must start soon. She didn’t pause before walking inside. Ignoring all the manners Mom drilled into her over the years, Taylor interrupted Jake, who stood talking with Curt.

“I need to go. If you don’t want me to borrow your car, I understand. But I wanted you to know I left.” She pulled up Rent-A-Ride’s app on her phone and turned away. Time wasn’t on her side. She needed to arrange a ride and get on the road. Her family needed her.

“Wait. Hold on.” His fingers closed around her wrist. “What happened?” he asked, his voice calm and concerned at the same time.

She looked up from her phone long enough to answer. “Mom called. Eliza took Reese. I need to get home.” Taylor kept her voice low. Everyone in the library, including Jake, didn’t need to know Eliza kidnapped Reese.

“Let’s go. I’ll drive.” He glanced back at Jake, who looked curious, but she couldn’t tell if he’d overhead her or not. “Tell Gray I’m sorry. We’ve got an emergency and need to leave.”

Jake nodded, a solemn expression across his face. “Will do. Call if we can help.”

Taking her hand, Curt led her down several halls and out a side door in silence.

“Are you sure about this?” she asked before getting into his car. “This is your cousin’s wedding.” She’d seen firsthand how close he was to his family. She hated being the reason he was about to miss it.

Usually, he opened her door and closed it once she got inside. Not now. Instead, he left her standing there and walked around to the other side. “Jake will let Gray know what happened. He’ll understand. Get in.”

Curt started the car before she closed her door. He had them off the estate and on the road moments later.

Summer weekends always drew crowds to the area. Today was no different. While Curt navigated the busy streets, she called Mom back for an update and more details.

The muscles in his forearms quivered, and he relaxed the death grip on the steering wheel. Next to him, Taylor remained on the phone. So far much of the conversation was one-sided, so he knew little more than what Taylor had told him before they left. Taylor’s sister had kidnapped her own daughter. What kind of a sick person did that?

“If she calls or brings Reese home, call me.” Taylor put the phone down and rubbed both hands down her face.

“What happened?” Priscilla might allow her eldest daughter into her home, but she’d never leave Eliza alone with Reese.

Taylor leaned her head against the seat, her eyes closed. “Reese went to a friend’s birthday party today. Reese has gone to parties at this pottery studio before. The area used for parties isn’t very big, so they encourage parents to drop kids off and come back. That’s what Mom did.” She looked across at him. “Jamie and her family moved to town this year, so Jamie’s mom didn’t know Eliza isn’t in Reese’s life. She told Mom Eliza showed up and said she was picking Reese up because Mom had an emergency. Evidently, Reese called Eliza by name and seemed okay about leaving with her. Jamie’s mom had no reason to think Reese couldn’t leave with Eliza.”

“Christ. How’d Eliza know she was there?”

“When Eliza came over Thursday, Reese told her all about the party she was going to this weekend. You know how she talks. Mom didn’t think it was a big deal, so she didn’t try to stop her.”

Who would? They’d called the police, and he assumed an Amber Alert had been issued. But situations like this called for all the manpower possible. Curt handed Taylor his cell phone. “Go into my contacts and bring up Eric Coleman for me.” He prayed they got home and learned the police had found both Reese and Eliza, but he didn’t plan to wait and see if it happened.

“Uh, okay. Why?” She scrolled through his list of numbers. “Who’s Eric Coleman?”

“The director of Elite Force Security.”

“And what’s Elite Force Security?”

Talk about a loaded question. “Originally, it was a firm that provided private security to anyone who hired them. My family has used them many times in the past. Over time they’ve branched out into other areas. They often handle high-profile kidnapping situations. The firm only employs the best. If the police can’t find them, Elite Force will.”

Taylor passed the cell phone back to him. He pressed the green icon on the screen and waited for Eric Coleman, the firm’s director, to answer.

The call was short, and after, they both remained silent, lost in their own thoughts for the rest of the long trip.

When Curt pulled in, a police cruiser and two other vehicles were parked behind Taylor’s and Priscilla’s cars. Since Taylor received no phone calls on the drive, he knew none of them had brought Reese home.

They’ll find her. Thinking about Reese alone with Taylor’s sister scared the hell out of him, and he wasn’t even related to her. He could only imagine what it did to Taylor and Priscilla.

“Mr. McIntyre is here.” Taylor opened the door before he shifted the car into park. “He’s chief of police in town. He and Dad joined the force together. He probably came over to check on Mom.”

Explained who one car belonged to anyway. Curt followed her inside the house.

An older gentleman dressed for a day on a golf course stood behind Priscilla, his hands on her shoulders. Two FBI agents, their badges and firearms visible, sat at the kitchen table. One had a phone to his ear while the other had a laptop open. A uniformed officer completed the gathering in the kitchen.

“Good. You’re home.” Priscilla’s voice broke, the only sign of her distress. If Taylor hadn’t shared everything, he’d never know by looking at Priscilla that something was wrong. He noticed the same about Taylor. Throughout the ride, he’d expected Taylor to break down. To cry or yell. She’d remained dry-eyed and in control the whole time. It appeared as though Priscilla shared her daughter’s strength.

Priscilla quickly made introductions.

“Anything yet?” Taylor asked.

“No,” Priscilla answered. She reached up and covered Mr. McIntyre’s hand with hers. “Not yet.” The small gesture made him wonder if Mr. McIntyre was more than a family friend.

Smack. The sound of flesh coming down hard on wood filled the room. He saw Priscilla jump. Whatever leash Taylor had on her emotions was coming undone.

“What the hell is being done? Eliza has no money. No resources. And let’s face it, she’s not smart. How far could she have gone?” With each word Taylor’s voice grew louder, more evidence the stress was wearing down her control.

Curt rested his hands on her shoulders, her skin ice-cold beneath his palms. Wanting to offer some comfort, even if it meant simply keeping her warm, he took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“Miss Walker, believe me, we’re following every lead we get,” one of the FBI agents answered. He proceeded to explain each step they’d taken so far and answered every question Taylor threw at him. “We’ve also been contacted by Elite Force Security. My supervisor informed me they’re assisting with the investigation.”

“Eliza won’t harm Reese,” Priscilla said. Her unspoken words hung over the table. Eliza wouldn’t intentionally harm Reese, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t do something that would put her in danger. Considering the woman had a history of drug abuse, anything could happen before the authorities located them and brought Reese home.

***

Taylor reached the bookcase, turned, and walked back. How was it possible less than six hours had passed since Mom called her? “This is—”

“It’s not your fault.” Curt didn’t let her finish. “Priscilla blamed herself when you were upstairs. And it’s not her fault either. Neither of you could’ve known Eliza would do this.”

He’d only left her side once since they returned home, to change his clothes. She appreciated his presence more than she could ever tell him.

“I don’t get it. What is my stupid sister thinking?” None of it made sense. Since giving up custody, Eliza acted like she’d never given birth to a child. So why all of sudden did she disappear with Reese? What had changed? What did she want?

Taylor gave up on pacing. Maybe sitting in one place would help her figure out her sister’s motivation.

“She did come around a few times. Is it possible she wants to be involved in Reese’s life again?” Curt asked. “Could this be Eliza’s way of doing that, because she thought you wouldn’t let her spend time with Reese?”

She’d considered and immediately dismissed the same thought earlier. Whatever ideas prompted Eliza’s actions today, being a loving mom had nothing to do with them. “No. Even before I became Reese’s guardian, Eliza wasn’t interested in being a mother. She left Reese with Mom or me every chance she got. She did this for some other reason. I just can’t figure out what.”

Taylor heard the house phone ring. No one ever called the landline anymore. They’d even considered getting rid of it rather than pay for something they never used. Let that be Eliza or Reese. Please.

Mom got to the phone before she did. “Please let me talk to Reese,” Mom said, her voice shaking. “Just to say hello, so I know she’s okay. I’m her grandmother. I need to know she’s okay.”

Taylor stood near the kitchen table and wished she could hear both sides of the conversation.

“Then let me talk to Eliza. Is she there?” Mom asked in desperation.

Great. Reese wasn’t only with Eliza, but also whatever scumbag Eliza spent time with these days. But why wasn’t Eliza calling herself? Had something happened to her since leaving the pottery studio with Reese? Had Eliza left Reese with someone? A friend even more screwed up than her?

The color drained from Mom’s face. “Yes, I understand, but….”

Taylor gripped the edge of the table.

“I don’t….” Again, whatever Mom intended got cut off by the scumbag on phone. “Okay. She’s here.” She passed the phone to Taylor. “He wants to talk to you.” Mom covered her face with one hand, and Mr. McIntyre reached for the other. He’d been there since Taylor came home, constantly offering Mom reassuring words or holding her hand.

Across the room, one of the FBI agents sat with headphones on so he could hear both sides of the telephone conversation. He met Taylor’s eyes and nodded.

She cleared her throat and licked her bottom lip, her mouth suddenly dry. “Hello. Who is this?” Taylor demanded. She wouldn’t let the caller or Eliza know the toll this was taking on her.

“A friend of your sister,” a male voice answered. “And if you want your niece back, Taylor, you’ll do what I say.”

She pushed aside her anger and hatred. Neither would do any good at the moment. She’d let both emotions have free rein when her sister and this jerk were tracked down and arrested. “I’m listening, but I want to talk to my niece.” She heard loud music in the background, but nothing else to help pinpoint what type of place he called from.

“You only need to listen. It’s easy. Get us a million dollars, and we’ll give you Reese. Don’t, and she stays with us.”

She’d seen people do unspeakable things, first as a police officer and then a DEA agent, but she never thought Eliza would kidnap and ransom her daughter.

“There is no way I can get you that much money. My sister knows it’s not possible. Let me talk to her.”

A sick laugh assaulted her ears. “Eliza and I know you’re fucking Curt Sherbrooke. We think you should share your good luck. Go ask him for it. He won’t miss it. I’ll call you back.”

The line went dead.

She let the scumbag’s words sink in. Money. This was all about money.

“What did he say?” Curt asked.

“They want money in exchange for Reese.”

Mom nodded, and she wiped a tear from her face. “Okay. How much? The bank is closed until Monday, but maybe if we contact the branch manager and explain they’ll open up. I’ll clean out my accounts.”

Even if they both cleaned out all their accounts and Reese’s college fund, they’d never have enough.

“One million.”

Whatever strength Mom had relied on so far today gave out. Sobs wracked her body and tears fell uncontrollably down her face. Before Taylor could attempt to comfort her, Mr. McIntyre wrapped his arms around her.

“But… that makes no sense,” Mom said between her sobs. “I’m not surprised they want money. But one million! That’s crazy.”

Grinding her teeth, she pulled on whatever reserves of strength she had left. For both Mom’s and Reese’s sakes, she had to keep it together. After, when they had Reese home safe, she could fall apart. “He’ll call back.”

“How can Eliza do this? She knows we don’t have anything close to a million dollars. It doesn’t make any sense,” Mom said, her voice almost a shout.

Considering everything else, it was the only part that did make sense. “Somehow they know Curt Sherbrooke lives next door. They also know I’m in a relationship with him.” No need to repeat the crude language the caller used. “They’re hoping we can get the money from him.” She’d think about how Eliza had learned Curt’s identity some other time. Mom wouldn’t have shared it with her, and Reese didn’t comprehend the significance of who he was.

“When and where?” Curt asked without a word from her. He already had his cell phone out. “It’ll take a little time for me to get a million in cash.”

Taylor doubted Eliza and her boyfriend, or whoever the scumbag was, would want anything but cash. A wire transfer to a bank required the receiving party to have an account. Drug addicts who kidnapped children didn’t seem likely to have an account at the local bank. And no one simply walked into a bank, cashed a million-dollar check, and walked back out with a briefcase full of hundred-dollar bills without calling attention their way.

“He didn’t say. All he gave was the dollar amount,” she answered.

“Mr. Sherbrooke, before you agree to meet the—” the agent who had listened to the entire phone conversation began.

“Agent Torre, I’ll do what I need to.” He reached across and squeezed Mom’s hand before he took hers. “Don’t worry. We’ll get her back.” Curt called whatever contact he pulled up and walked away.

I hope. Paying Eliza and her boyfriend didn’t guarantee they’d get Reese back. Everyone there, even Mom, knew it.

***

The backyard light let her see Curt standing on the patio while he talked to his cousin. Taylor didn’t blame him for taking a break and going outside. The tension inside had become a tangible thing, weighing on them all, making her anxious and worried one moment and angry as hell the next. She’d thought about escaping the house and tension off and on all day by getting in her car and searching for Reese and Eliza herself. The fact Eliza’s boyfriend hadn’t called back yet was all that kept her from putting her plan into action. He’d insisted on talking to her and not Mom the first time. When he called again, it made sense he’d do the same thing. She couldn’t afford to miss his call.

“You look exhausted. Maybe you should try to get some sleep,” Mom said, coming back into the kitchen alone.

“I think you need it more than me. Did Mr. McIntyre leave?”

“He’ll be right back. He needs to let Petey out. The poor dog has been inside all day. I’m making some tea. Do you want some?”

She didn’t remember the last time she’d had anything to drink. “Sure.” Outside, Curt started pacing; she wondered how much he was sharing with whatever cousin had called him.

“How do you think Eliza learned Curt was a Sherbrooke?” The car with the mismatched door that she saw pass Curt’s house the day Trent made his surprise visit had to be the same one that dropped Eliza off the last time she came over. Eliza and her boyfriend would’ve seen Trent’s expensive sports car parked in the driveway, but there was no way for them to link it back to a Sherbrooke.

Mom filled the teapot, the one Reese had picked out as a gift one Mother’s Day, and put it on the stove. “Maybe after Reese told Eliza about her trip to Newport she got curious. She could’ve gone to the town hall and asked who owned the house next door. Sonia Anne works in the town clerk’s office. She and Eliza were friends in high school. She might have helped her out. There’s also a database on the town website. If you put in any address in town, it’ll tell you who owns the property. Curt’s full legal name would’ve come up.”

“Yeah, but would she have thought to do any of that?” Her sister spent much of her time either high or looking to get high. Could she carry out a plan like Mom theorized?

The teapot whistled behind her. “Maybe.” Mom poured the hot water into two large mugs. “Or her boyfriend may have known to check with the town hall.” She added sugar to both mugs before bringing them over. “I think this whole thing was his idea. Eliza wouldn’t do this on her own. Not to her daughter. Her boyfriend put her up to it.”

Maybe at one time she would’ve agreed, but the woman who'd dropped in weeks ago wasn’t the person Taylor had grown up with.

“I have to believe that,” Mom said softly.

If thinking Eliza’s boyfriend forced her to kidnap Reese helped Mom get through this situation, she’d let her believe it. Convincing her otherwise didn’t change the facts or bring Reese home any sooner.

The door from the backyard slid open, and Curt walked inside. “Jake wanted me to tell you hello. He called to see how everything was and ask if he could help.”

Had Jake overheard her in the library? She’d tried to keep her voice as low as possible. And Curt had merely told Jake they had to leave because of an emergency.

“Does he know what’s going on?” Taylor asked. She’d rather Curt’s entire family not know all the details.

At the stove, Curt made himself a cup of tea. She hadn’t seen him eat or drink anything in hours either. “No. He knows you have a family emergency. He doesn’t know the specifics. I didn’t think it was any of his business.”

The cordless phone on the counter rang, and every set of eyes locked on it.

Like earlier, Agent Torre slipped on headphones and gave her a thumbs-up.

“Hello,” Taylor said, in a clear controlled voice.

“Do you have our money?” Eliza, not the scumbag from earlier, asked.

Her sister’s voice gave her pause. Could she reason with Eliza? Get her to bring Reese home tonight? Maybe when hell freezes over. Mom might put all the blame on Eliza’s boyfriend, but she didn’t buy it. Eliza had played a role in what happened today.

“Let me talk to Reese,” Taylor said. She needed to hear her niece’s voice more than she needed air. Eliza might at least give her that. “I need to know she’s okay, Eliza. You can understand that.”

Taylor heard what sounded like music in the background, then nothing. Did Eliza hang up?

“Auntie Taylor.” Reese’s voice knocked the breath out of her. “I want to come home.”

Her throat closed up, and she couldn’t speak at first. “Are you okay?” Reese didn’t sound scared, merely bored. The last thing she wanted to do was scare her.

“I’m bored and I want Peanut. I miss you and Mimi. Eliza says Mimi is sick and I can’t come home until she’s better. Is she better yet? It smells funny here. I don’t like it.”

Maybe if she kept Reese on the phone long enough, she’d get some useful clues about her whereabouts. “Don’t worry, Mimi is okay. Do you know where you are? I’ll come and—”

“You talked. Do you have what I want?” a man’s voice came on the phone, cutting off her sentence.

Damn. She didn’t get to tell Reese she loved her. “We’re working on it. No one keeps that much money hanging around their house.”

“I want it by Monday. Meet Eliza outside Faneuil Hall with the money.”

“Will Reese be with her?”

“Be there at ten and come alone. No police.”