A cold, mechanical voice crackled from the phone speaker: “Tomorrow at noon. Eclipsed Haven. Five million in cash.”
“Let me see her first–I need to know she’s alive!” Eddy’s voice shook with desperation.
But the call cut off instantly.
“Eddy, don’t go yourself,” Loraine pleaded, her worry plain.
“If this was really a kidnapping, they would’ve demanded ransom long ago. Waiting all this time to call–it’s suspicious.” Loraine’s nerves were shot. “We should call the police!”
Eddy ignored her, turning to the bodyguard. “Get the helicopter ready. And the money.”
He wouldn’t let go–not if there was even the slightest chance.
“Eddy, you’ve made plenty of enemies over the years. This could be a
trap–someone looking for payback,” Laney warned.
Laney herself had been kidnapped before. Back then, Eddy had been methodical, careful. Not like now, charging in with no plan.
Loraine watched him, terrified for his state of mind. For the past three months, he’d been teetering on the edge of a breakdown.
“Eddy, think for one second!” she shouted, but her voice was lost to the wind as he climbed into the waiting helicopter.
“Ma’am, I’ll keep an eye on Mr. Simmons,” the head of security murmured, trying to reassure her.
There was nothing Loraine could do but tell them to be careful. But things couldn’t go on like this–Laney was till missing, and at this rate, her son would lose himself
before they found her.
She pulled out her phone and dialed. “The people you found for me last time–bring them all in. I need to pick the
one who looks most like her.”
The kidnappers‘ directions led them to an abandoned factory by the river. With nothing but open ground all around, there was no way for the bodyguards to protect Eddy up close.
1/3
The head of security looked uneasy, clutching the heavy case. “Sir, let me go in your place.”
Eddy didn’t answer. He took the suitcase and strode toward the derelict building.
The moment he stepped through the half–open iron gate, it slammed shut behind
him.
Two masked men appeared–one at his front, one behind.
“Hand over the money!” one of them barked.
“Where’s my wife?” Eddy demanded.
One of the men jerked his chin toward a small office. “In there.”
“I want to see her, safe and unharmed,” Eddy said, crossing to the riverside window. He hoisted the suitcase out over the water. “Otherwise, you get nothing.”
Suddenly, Blanche’s voice rang out from the little room. “Eddy, I’m here!” There was a rustling sound, but Eddy knew her voice–he’d know it anywhere.
Without hesitation, he let go of the suitcase. It plunged into the river with a splash. “If you want the money, you’ll have to fish it out yourselves.”
With that, he marched toward the small office.
The two kidnappers didn’t try to stop him. Instead, they scrambled for the window, leaping into the river to grab the drifting case.
Eddy’s heart pounded as he rushed into the room, but Blanche was nowhere to be seen. Instead, an elderly woman sat tied up in the chair. On another chair nearby, a single tulip rested–Blanche’s favorite flower.
“Help me, please!” the old woman cried as soon as he entered.
“Where’s the young woman who was with you?” Eddy demanded, voice tight.
“She just ran out. Please, untie me–I can help you find her,” the old woman said, sounding frail and breathless.
Eddy didn’t hesitate. He hurried over to loosen her ropes. But in that instant, her supposedly bound hand flashed–clutching a gleaming knife that she drove into Eddy’s abdomen.
Agony ripped through him and blood gushed out.
His face went ghostly pale, his bloodshot eyes wide from sleepless nights and shock.
21:52
Chapter 174
The old woman wrenched the blade free and stabbed him again, shrieking, This Is for you, old man! I’ve gotten your revenge!”
Eddy managed to grab her wrist just in time.
In that moment, he realized she was working with the kidnappers.
“Where is my wife?” he gasped through gritted teeth.
“How should I know where she is?” she spat.
“But I do know where you’re going!” Her face twisted with fury. “Straight to hell!”
Chapter 175
