The Missing Millionaire

He squeezed the bridge of his nose, trying to relieve the throbbing pain in his head. The drug had left his mouth cottony dry and his stomach churning. Exhaustion tugged at him, both physical and emotional. As they rocketed down the highway, he wondered what would happen if a cop tried to flag them over. Would she stop? Would she tell the police what had happened?

Would he?

He was used to making snap decisions about people, but Jamie confused him. His initial attraction to her lingered despite what she had done. He couldn’t define what it was about her that had intrigued him from the start. But after she sped past the third possible exit ramp, any attraction he might have felt dissolved as he realized she had no intention of stopping.

“We could have found a pay phone at that exit.”

“I know. I also know you don’t have any change. I dressed you.”

Disconcerted, he couldn’t decide which was more disturbing, the fact that she was right about the change, or the fact that she’d dressed him. He always slept in the nude.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any change, either,” she added.

“You don’t need change to dial 911.”

She cut him a look. “I have no intention of dialing 911.”

That answered the question of what she’d say to the police if they were stopped.

“You could use a credit card.”

Her scornful expression deepened.

“Where are we going?”

She said nothing for so long he decided she wasn’t going to answer.

“We should get rid of this car,” she told him finally.

“What, you don’t like the color?”

She ignored his sarcasm. “It’s been sitting outside that farmhouse all evening. We’re lucky it wasn’t rigged to explode, too.”

“Now, there’s a cheery thought.” He shifted at the memory of those horrific explosions.

“It could also have a tracer on it in case one of us did escape.”

“Just who do you think is after me?”

“Someone willing to kill four people without remorse.”

Put that way, he couldn’t think of a thing to say.

JAMIE DEBATED HER OPTIONS. She could steal a car, but the minute she stopped, Trent was apt to take off. Part of her thought that would be just as well, but she couldn’t leave him undefended after promising to guard him.

Tony wouldn’t be happy when she showed up on his doorstep, but what other option did she have? She wasn’t about to ask Harrison Trent if he was involved in organized crime. He might say yes, and she really wanted to like him. He knew how to keep his head. Despite the drug messing with his system, he’d been quick to seize an opportunity when she’d inadvertently presented one. And he’d actually tried to save the other women even though they’d drugged and kidnapped him.

Ruefully, she realized the millionaire was handling the situation better than she was. Jamie didn’t want to discover he’d made his money in the same line of work as Tony’s former boss.

Whoever was behind the explosions would expect her to go to Tony if they knew she’d survived. But did they know? It all came down to whether the devices had been remotely triggered or on timers.

Her knowledge of bombs was rudimentary at best. Still, it galled her that she had walked into that farmhouse like a sheep last night. Not one of them had thought to check the place over when they returned, and she knew better. Foolishly, her chief concern at the time had been defending Trent’s questionable virtue from Kirsten and Elaine. She wasn’t altogether sure he’d thank her for that, but he and his friend hadn’t ogled the dancers that evening. In fact, Trent had almost looked pained at times.

Except when she’d caught him looking at her.

The memory provoked a tiny shiver. He’d been curious about her. She’d seen it in the way his eyes had followed her. Jamie had been surprised and more than a little flattered. She was blessed with attractive, if average, features, but certainly not the sort that normally drew a man’s gaze in a roomful of half-naked women. And more disturbing, she wasn’t immune to him, either. Even now, knowing he was engaged and possibly a member of organized crime, she found him extremely attractive.

Hastily, she shoved the thought aside. She needed to concentrate. She’d seen no sign of pursuit since they’d driven away, but that didn’t mean no one was back there. Most likely, the explosives had been on timers. They’d been well planted to effectively block all the main exits. Someone had wanted to make very sure no one escaped that inferno. The chilling thought brought a shiver straight down her spine. Would she have found the devices if she’d done her job right?

Jamie turned her mind from useless speculation.

“Mind telling me where we’re going?”

She hesitated at his question, but what was the point? “We’re going to try and stop another murder.”

“Laudable goal. How many of us did you kidnap tonight?”

She sent him a glare.

“Okay then, who else is going to be murdered?”

“The people who set up your kidnapping.”

“You want to share a little here?”

“No.”

“Right. How are we going to prevent them from being murdered?”

Jamie inhaled. “I have no idea.”

Only the barest hint of light streaked the horizon. The fatigue tugging at her brain told Jamie daybreak was fast approaching. The suburban streets were still empty as she steered the car into Tony’s subdivision.

Harrison Trent had fallen silent after their last exchange, for which Jamie was grateful. He didn’t need to know how rattled she was. None of her extensive training had left her prepared for the reality of almost dying on the job. The stench of the smoke clung to her hair and clothing despite the windows she’d opened to air them out. The knowledge that Kirsten and Elaine had died because she hadn’t done her job well enough was a weight on her soul.

So far, she’d managed to keep the shakes at bay. Unfortunately, she knew she was heading for a meltdown. The only thing that kept her going was the certainty that it wasn’t Tony who had set them up to die. Tony and Carolyn were in deadly danger from whoever had.

Turning the corner onto their street sent a new surge of apprehension pouring through her. Their house was near the middle of the block, and it glowed like a Christmas tree. Lights blazed behind the curtained windows on the first floor. Tony and Carolyn were early risers, but not this early.

Harrison Trent straightened in his seat. “It’s the house with the lights on, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Looks like we’re expected.”

Jamie cruised past slowly while her heart hammered in her chest. Carolyn’s dark SUV sat in the driveway. Tony’s fancy sports car was probably inside the detached garage along with his souped-up sedan.

“The SUV belongs there?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure.”

She circled the block looking for anything out of place. Every parked car was suspect. She watched for the slightest motion. Nothing. Not even a stray cat or dog disturbed the stillness.

She stared at the house as she drove past again at a crawl. “It’s too quiet.”

“It’s early Saturday morning. What do you expect? Most people sleep in on weekends.”

Jamie pulled over at the end of the street. She turned off the headlights, but left the engine running. “Wait here while I check this out.”

“Not going to happen.”

Her body hummed with tension. “Then take the car.You can leave.” After all, there was nothing she could do to stop him.

“As tempting as that offer is, I believe I’ll stay with you for now.”

“Mr. Trent, I’m serious.”

“So am I. I deserve some answers.”

She exhaled loudly. “I don’t have time for this.”

“Then turn off the engine and stop arguing.”

Her hand shook as she obeyed. “The people who blew up the farmhouse may be inside there.”

“I got that, but you’re going in, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’m going with you. I have a few things to say to these people.”

Jamie growled. “You aren’t going to be reasonable about this, are you?” She pulled the gun from her ankle strap. He eyed it and her, but didn’t appear intimidated.

“I’m a businessman, Jamie. I’m always reasonable. Let’s go.” He opened the car door.

Jamie saw no option. She couldn’t force him to wait, and panic hovered, a mere breath away. Something was badly wrong inside, she sensed it.

“Let me lead,” she ordered. “If anything goes wrong—”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

She shook her head.

“You wouldn’t have another gun, would you?”

“No.” The last thing she wanted was a person she couldn’t predict at her back armed with a weapon.

Without another word she began running toward the house. Hopefully, anyone seeing them would take them for a pair of early morning joggers trying to beat the August heat and not notice the gun she tried to conceal in her hand.

Passing Tony’s house, she saw no sign of movement inside. She went up the driveway of the silent house next door. Trent got points for not asking more questions as Jamie led him around to the back and cut through to Tony and Carolyn’s yard. Their kitchen light tossed shadows across the porch and down onto the manicured lawn. Nothing moved inside or out. Fear pulsed with every beat of her heart.

Skipping the back door, she went around to the side entrance where it was dark. Trent remained silent as she pulled out her keys and inserted one in the lock. Jamie stiffened. The door swung open at the first touch without the turn of the key.

Her heart threatened to explode as she eased inside. Muted voices came from the living room. Jamie paused to listen.

The television, she realized when background music started to play. Tony wouldn’t be watching television at this hour. Something was horribly wrong.

Staying against the wall, she moved up the stairs to the softly glowing kitchen.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

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