Chapter 61
Kate
The morning of Grant’s adoption, Kate went to pick up his watch. She had also made an appointment for Gus to be groomed. Ginny was still on her honeymoon, and Brandy was in charge of the shop. She gave Kate a dirty look and didn’t say anything to her.
Why is Brandy so upset? Kate wondered. She had clearly landed Grant.
Kate silently handed the dog over, and one of the groomers took him to the back. She picked up the watch, and since Gus wasn’t finished with his appointment yet, she decided to stop at the French bistro to pick up her favorite quiche. She needed a pick-me-up after the stress in her life. After she had collected Gus and was on the way back to the car, she was holding the boxes with the quiche and the watch while fumbling in her purse for her keys.
“Excuse me, miss,” said someone with a familiar voice.
“Alan, what are you doing here?” she demanded. “Stay away from me, or I’m calling the police.”
He stepped out of the car, and Gus barked furiously.
“I couldn’t help but notice you have the famous watch,” he said. “I was wondering if I could have a look, then I’ll be on my way.”
“Absolutely not,” Kate said, trying to maneuver around him to unlock her car. Before she could, a truck pulled up, and a large man jumped out and grabbed Kate.
Are they trying to steal the watch? she thought, panicked.
She tried to scream, but Alan forced his hand over her mouth, and she and Gus were thrown into the truck. Kate hoped someone had seen or heard her. Surely the Holbrooks would realize she was missing.
They drove for hours. Kate didn’t know where they were going. They stopped, and someone dragged her out of the vehicle. Gus whimpered, and she was roughly tied up. She sat in the darkness for what felt like an eternity. She dozed off and was awoken by voices some time later.
“You were supposed to take the dog, not the girl. Why did I even waste my time trying to help you, Professor Von Breuer?” Kate heard a woman’s voice. It was Danielle. “You stupid, worthless, weak worm. Men.”
“I wanted the watch,” Alan hissed to her. “You promised. That watch belonged to my grandfather.”
“You don’t want it for sentimental reasons,” Danielle scoffed. “You want to sell it to your Hong Kong buyer.”
Kate heard Alan kick something.
“It doesn’t matter,” Danielle stated. “Walter ruined my plans to be wealthy for the last time. He’ll pay a ransom for Grant once we capture him, and after the money clears the account, we shoot Grant, and that’s it. I don’t need billions. A few hundred million will be enough to disappear.”
Kate tried not to scream. She wondered if Danielle knew she could hear them talking through the vent.
Gus whimpered.
“What was that?” another man said.
The door opened, and Danielle came in. “I suppose you heard all of that.” She had a sour look on her face. “No matter. You won’t last much longer, just enough to bring Grant here. And look who finally checked his voicemail.”
She motioned to the Italian-looking man who had followed her into the room. He tied a gag around Kate’s mouth, and Danielle gave Kate a wan smile.
“Unfortunately, you are not going to make it out of this. We can’t have you blabbing my plans.” She tapped her phone and put it on speaker. “My darling son…”
“Where is Kate?” She heard Grant’s voice through the phone speaker. He didn’t sound angry or enraged or frightened. Instead, he sounded detached and cold.
“She’s here. Facetime me, and you can see.”
Danielle held up the phone. The light shone in Kate’s tearstained face, and she blinked. She wanted to scream as she saw Grant’s face peering at her through the screen.
“Huh” was all he said.
Kate could tell by the expression on Danielle’s face that this was not the reaction she was expecting.
“Why couldn’t you have sent a note?” he asked. “I’m busy right now.”
“She’s the love of your life,” Danielle said.
“I don’t particularly care for her,” Grant replied. “She was just an easy fuck. You know how that is, Mother.”
“He’s lying!” shouted Alan. “I was there. He’s in love with her.”
“No,” Grant drawled, “I just love punching Nazis. Marine Corps tradition, you know.”
“You’re lying,” Danielle said.
Grant laughed coldly. “Your plans are all too elaborate. Burn down the house, involve the shady Italian contractor. And now you’ve convinced Kate’s crazy professor to work for you in this moronic scheme.” He squinted through the screen. “Are you wearing my watch?”
“This is my watch,” Alan said. “My grandfather’s watch.”
“Whatever. I’m going to need that back, Mother.”
“She promised me the watch for helping her!” Alan yelled.
“Again,” Grant said, “Plans. Too. Elaborate. You know what we do in the Marines when there’s a problem? Kill it.”
“Well then, I’ll just kill her!” Danielle shrieked and motioned to Luigi.
Kate screamed through her gag. It was true. Grant was exactly like his mother—he had never loved her, and now she was going to die like this.
“No,” Grant said, sounding more annoyed than scared. “She’s my father’s assistant. I need him in top form. We have a big meeting coming up, and I can’t have him distracted. Just keep her on ice. I’ll come pick her up.”
“That is not the deal,” Danielle hissed into the phone. “I want one hundred million dollars, and I want you to bring it to me.”
Kate could feel Grant look up at the ceiling and roll his eyes. The irritation in his voice wasn’t that well disguised.
“No, Mother, that is not going to happen. Do you have any idea how long it takes to assemble that much cash?”
“Then wire me the money.”
“The bank will freeze it. I’ll bring you Bitcoin instead in an encrypted wallet.”
Danielle took a deep breath. “Come to the canal, alone, and don’t tell anyone.”
“It will be a few hours,” Grant said. “I need to finish up some stuff here at the office. You weren’t on my calendar today.”
Danielle hung up the phone on him. “Now we’re back in business. Everything is progressing as it should.” She chuckled quietly. “My son is exactly like me.”
“He’s going to tell his father,” Alan said.
Danielle smiled. “I’m counting on it.”