Aint too proud to beg sfdg-1 (21 page)

Platinum setting. The matching wedding band is just as stunning but has simpler linesperfect for daily wear.

Rick snapped the box shut, nearly catching the tip of Beas nose in the spring hinge. Shall we go get your answers, ladies? I dont want Josie to think somebody kidnapped me. They all rounded the corner, then charged up the hill. When they reached the building, Rick gestured for the women to go ahead of him. You first. I insist.

As he spoke, Rick noticed a dark-colored sedan traveling the wrong way down the street. A shiver went up his spine.

Bennett gasped for air as he drove through the streets of San Francisco.

Every few seconds hed glance at the GPS readout for reassurance. This town was a maze of steep hills and baffling intersections and he only had twenty minutes before the effect of the tranquilizer would wear off.

If he could just get into the underground garage of the Presidio villa, everything would be all right. Bennett glanced at the rearview mirror, checking on the sleeping girl. She was doing better than he was. She seemed to be resting peacefully, while Bennett was in need of traction and an oxygen mask. Thank God hed prepared a method for transporting a limp body up the private elevator and into the house, even if hed intended the body to be Rousseaus.

The girl moaned softly, but didnt move. The GPS said he had six miles to go. Bennetts heart pounded and his hands perspired so badly they were slipping on the rental cars steering wheel.

It had begun. It could not be stopped. He had kidnapped Rick Rousseaus girlfriend. It wasnt his original plan, but a last-minute change in direction wasnt necessarily a sign of weakness.

After all, which option would inflict the most injury on Rousseau? That single instant of comprehension for him, when Bennett put the gun to Rousseaus head and prepared to pull the trigger? Or days of guilt-soaked agony and torture of the soul, Rick knowing that hed allowed his woman to be stolen and probably killed?

Plan B, obviously. It was genius. It was the ultimate payback. Bennett was only sorry he couldnt hold the girl hostage for seven years before he killed her.

Now /that/ would be eye for an eye. /… you wouldnt hurt a fly, Benny./ Bennett slammed his fist against the cheap steering wheel. Damn! How he wished LaShelle had kept her opinions to herself! If forty-five years in business had taught him anything, it was this: If you doubt your success, then youll fail.

Ginger was the first inside Josies apartment. I dont think shes here, she said, confused. Did she go somewhere?

Rick cocked his head, the adrenaline rushing through his body. Teeny dropped the dogs leash, pulled out his gun, and pushed past everyone to get in the living room.

Stay back, Rick said, motioning for the women to retreat to the hallway.

Josie? he called out, over the music. He ran to the sound system and turned down the volume. Josie? he repeated, even louder.

Teeny swept the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom. Genghis sniffed at a knife lying on the kitchen floor.

Teeny ran back to the living room, shaking his head to indicate he hadnt found her, his face twisted with grief.

What the hells going on? Bea stepped inside the apartment and walked right up to Teeny. Why the hell do you have a gun?

Has something happened to Josie? Roxanne yelled. Should we call the police?

Ive got a real bad feeling about this, Ginger whispered.

Rick took a second to gather his thoughts, but there was only one thought to gather: Bennett Cummings had Josie.

He was sure of it.

B
ennett needed a stiff drink. Lifting the girl from the car and propping her in the rolling office chair had just about done him in. His heart raced. Perspiration soaked into his shirt. Bennett made himself a vodka and tonic, and settled into a comfortable love seat.

The girl tried to kick her legs again, and Bennett was pleased to see the ropes holding nicely. As a sailor, hed always prided himself on his knots. Never once, however, did he suspect hed use his yachting prowess to tie a girl to anything, let alone an office chair on wheels.

She tried to scream, but her mouth was muffled by the balled-up washcloth held in place with a kitchen towel. Hed used a colorful pink scarf he found in the closet as a blindfold. The overall effect looked less menacing than a hostage scene from a movie, but it would have to do.

It would be to your benefit if youd relax, Bennett said in his most soothing voice. If you are calm and quiet, you will be allowed to move freely in the guest suite. You can have something to eat or watch movies. Youll be quite comfortable. I just finished preparing everything for you.

The girl kept wiggling.

However, if you continue to struggle, Ill have to leave you bound and gagged for the several days I plan to keep you here. Is that what youd prefer?

The girl screamed and thrashed violently. Bennett got up and made himself another drink. His hand shook when he added two jiggers of Ciroc.

He was aware that from here on out, things would be unpleasant. There was no avoiding it.

Within minutes of Josies disappearance, Teeny had the security teams emergency plan in place, everyone aware that Josie Sheehans safe return was the only objective. Teeny spoke to several of his associates in Rhode Island, demanding that they come up with somethinganythingthat would provide new information on Bennett Cummingss whereabouts.

Two FBI agents and two San Francisco Police Department detectives talked quietly in Ricks kitchen. Josies apartment was now a crime scene. The FBI had already issued an APB for Josie and Cummings, along with a vague description of a late-model, dark sedan. Rick had provided police a detailed statement about the nature of his relationship with Bennett Cummings, the threat hed received, and his suspicions that Josie had become his target. Bea had already arranged for the /Herald/ to run a front-page story on Josies disappearance in the morning edition. Police had put out a bulletin to be aired on the late news that very same night.

In the midst of all the activity, a detective had taken Rick aside and asked, If you were so concerned something would happen to her, why did you leave her alone?

There was no satisfactory answer to that question. There never would be.

Rick had asked himself a hundred times in the last three hours how he could have let this happen, and with each passing minute the black tentacles of self-hate got tighter around his throat. Certainly, Josies family over there on the sofa wasnt comforted by the fact that Rick had only intended to take the dog out for a few minutes. They didnt care that Rick had assumed he himself was the target, not Josie. The truth was, he had left her aloneand took the bodyguard with him!and now she was gone. He had failed to keep her safe.

Rick now understood that the uneasy feeling from earlier in the week had been his intuition talking. When hed raced back to Josies apartment to find her asleep in the tub, that was his warning. Yet he didnt listen. /He didnt fucking listen!/ Come here a minute, man. Teeny wrapped his arm around Ricks shoulders and guided him past the dozens of people gathered in his living room and into the study, shutting the door behind them. Dont go there on me, Rousseau, Teeny said. Dont you dare go there.

Rick stayed silent.

If you want to get Josie back, then you stay right here, you stay alive and aware, do you hear me? Teeny got down in his face. You keep your mind sharp and your thoughts positive. That evil self-destructive shit has no place in your world anymore. It doesnt belong here. Josie deserves better from you.

Like she did earlier tonight, when I left her.

Teeny put both his hands on Ricks shoulders, shaking him. I dont want to have to kick your ass, but I will. Stop it. /Now/.

Rick took a deep breath. I hear you, he whispered.

Good. Teeny straightened and smiled. Now, heres the good news, man. One of my sources came through for me, found out that Cummings drove at least part of the way in his gardeners car. We got a plate and a description.

Good, Rick said.

Were going to find her, Teeny said.

Rick nodded. I know we will.

Thats what Im talking about.

There was a knock on the study door. It was Bea. Excuse me, Teeny, but you just got a call on your cell. She says its important.

Rick and Teeny hurried back to the dining room, where Teeny had set up a kind of command center. He grabbed the phone from the glass tabletop.

Worrell, he said. A second later, frowning, he handed the phone to Rick.

Its Gwen Anders, he whispered. Shes hysterical.

Rick took the phone. He didnt have a spare second for her. I cant talk right now, he barked.

Rick! Its my fault! I did it! I just saw the news report about Josie Sheehan being abducted! Gwen began to sob.

What? Rick stopped breathing. You have Josie?

No! No! Cummings came to my house and put a gun to my head! I told him about Josie! I told him she was your girlfriend! Its my fault!

Rick handed the phone back to Teeny as Gwen sobbed. Send somebody over there to get her, Rick said. She has a statement to make.

Teeny looked incredulous. What the hell does Gwen Anders know about Josies disappearance?

She told Cummings all about her.

Teenys eyes flashed. /Fuck!/ Rick kept his voice down so Josies family couldnt hear him. Just get Gwen over here so she can talk to the cops.

Rick turned away. There was so much blistering rage in him right then that he wanted to throw something across the room just to see it explode. He needed something to crush, to smash, to rip apart with his hands. He wished it could be Gwen.

Shed cried so much in the last few hours that the blindfold was soggy.

Her mouth was dry and her jaw hurt from being forced open with the gag.

Her wrists were rubbed raw from whatever kind of rough rope hed used to restrain her. Josie had to pee so badly she didnt think she could hold it another second. And whatever drug hed given her had made her terribly nauseous.

She heard nothing. No sounds of a TV or water running or someone walking around. Nobody breathing. Wherever she was, it smelled clean, like a hotel. But it had none of the background noise of a hotel, just a faint sound of cars in the distance.

Have you decided to cooperate?

Josie would have hit the ceiling if she hadnt been tied down. He must have been next to her the whole time, staring at her! She nodded her head as much as she could, given the restraints.

Here is our agreement. The man came very close, and Josie could smell his alcohol-saturated breath. You will do what youre told. You will not scream or try to escape. I have a gun and I plan to shoot you at some point, but the better behaved you are, the longer Ill delay the inevitable. Do you agree?

Josie didnt care much for that arrangement, but she nodded.

She felt the man move behind her and his hands touch the back of her head. The blindfold fell away and the light hurt her eyes. The gag went next. Then the man started cutting the ropes. As soon as she was able, Josie jumped to her feet and tried to run. She slammed straight down into the carpet. The office chair was still tied to her ankles.

So impatient.

Josie twisted her body to look at him. He certainly looked the partin his sixties, distinguished, arrogant, filled with hate, a handgun in his belt. You must be Bennett Cummings, she said He smiled as he cut the ropes from her feet. You know about me.

Yeah, Josie said, wiping the drool off her chin and rubbing her jaw.

Youre the psycho whos after Rick.

Charming way to phrase it, the man said, gathering the cut ropes off the floor. Of course, youve left out a few pertinent details.

I know about Margot. It was an accident. Rick is a good man.

When Cummings straightened up, his eyes were filled with loathing. You poor, gullible, naпve, stupid thing. He shook his head, then placed the pile of rope on a nearby side chair. He yanked the office chair away and put it up against the wall. He pulled the gun from his belt, cocked it, and pointed it at her. Get up. Ill show you your accommodations.

Josie scrambled to her feet, but her legs felt like Jell-O. She almost fell, but he caught her.

Miss Sheehan, my back cannot withstand dragging you around any more than I already have, so please try to stay on your feet. He turned her body around and shoved the gun into her right kidney. The bathroom is this way.

Josie relieved her bladder, noting the sore and bruised spot on the back of her thigh where Cummings had jabbed her with a needlethe last thing she remembered before waking up bound and gagged. She splashed cold water on her face and swished out her mouth. She also ran water over her scraped and bloody wrists and patted them dry with a fluffy white towel.

There were no windows in the bathroom, just a small linen closet and truckloads of the finest marble and granite money could buy. Wherever she was being held captive, it was top-of-the-line all the way.

Josie took a moment to steady herself before she opened the door. She breathed deep. The reality was that Cummings had a gun. She didntand even if she did, she wouldnt know how to use it. So she would have to find another way to deal with him. Josie figured the longer she stayed missing the more intense the search for her would become. So she had to stay alive as long as possible, doing whatever was necessary, until Rick found her.

That was her plan.

A wave of sorrow hit her. She knew Rick would be insane with worry. He was probably blaming himself. She wished there was a way to reassure him.

Hurry up in there.

Josie opened the bathroom door to find Cummings waiting, gun still drawn. There is no way out of here, of course, he said. Ill give you a complete tour. That way, you wont waste the precious remaining hours of your life looking for a way to outsmart me.

Sounds fun. Josie noticed how Cummings eyed her injured wrists and looked away quickly, as if the sight disturbed him.

Josie decided to keep him talking. So, you were expecting me?

I was expecting your boyfriend, actually. But I decided youd be more fun.

What did you shoot me up with? Josie pointed to the back of her leg.

Just a generic animal tranquilizer I purchased off the Internet. You shouldnt have any long-term side effectsnot that youll need to worry about that. He smiled and used his gun to herd her into the other room.

You must be famished. I know I am.

Rick rubbed Genghis behind the ears, comforted by the warm weight of the dogs body up against his legs. Taking advantage of the moment of privacy, Rick bent down and buried his nose in the dogs fur, inhaling the mellow sweetness of Josies scent. He wondered how long her essence would cling to the dogs woolly coat.

He gathered all the strength left inside him, and willed himself not to break down.

Teeny quietly entered the study. Gwen wants to talk to you.

I cant stand to look at her, Rick said, his face still buried in Genghiss curls. Get her out of here as soon as possible.

Shes giving the FBI some decent information, Teeny continued.

Apparently, Cummings came to her place wearing a mustache, wig, and ball cap. She described his clothes in detail. And based on what Gwens said, it sounds like hes carrying a 45.-caliber semiautomatic.

Rick looked up. Does Gwen know where he is?

No, Teeny said.

Then shes useless. Rick straightened up in the leather chair.

Teeny had the saddest look on his face. She wants to apologize.

Not necessary.

The door opened. Gwen stepped in. /Who does she think she is?/ Rick averted his eyes.

I am truly sorry, she whispered. What I did was selfish, conceited, and petty. I have no excuse.

Forget this, Gwen, Teeny said. I think you should go.

Wait. Rick stood up, noticing for the first time that Gwen looked like hell. Her head was bowed in shame. Hed never seen her with a single hair out of place, let alone a disheveled mess. She seemed more human to him this way.

Rick sighed, closing his eyes from the weight of the truth. Thats all any of them werehuman. And to be human was to be a fuckup just waiting to happen. All of them. Without exception.

Damn you, Gwen, he said.

She nodded, the tears coming. I dont expect you to forgive me. Ill never forgive myself. She turned to go.

Rick cursed under his breath. He must be crazy. Come here, he said. She turned to him and he opened his arms to her. He patted her on the back as she sobbed.

I didnt want anyone to get hurt! Gwen wailed. Oh, my God! I am so sorry!

Teenys eyes were huge as he looked down on the unlikely drama. Rick managed a weak smile, then pushed Gwen away. Hed suddenly thought of something so obvious it was ridiculous.

Hey, Gwen, how did Cummings know he could come to you?

Gwen blinked. He wrote me before Margot died. He said he was interested in a mutually beneficial business arrangement. Gwens eyes flashed to Teeny. I decided not to tell you.

Jesus, Teeny whispered.

Here. Gwen dug into the front pocket of her sweatpants and handed Rick a business card. After you told me you were in love with Josie, I left a message at this number. I wanted to make you pay.

With his eyes locked on Gwens, Ricks hand shot up into the air, the card trapped between two of his fingers. Teeny snatched it and ran out the room.

He stared at her, shaking his head slowly.

You probably hate me, she said.

I dont, Rick said, suddenly exhausted down to the marrow of his bones.

Nothing good ever comes of it.

By the time the sun came up, Josie had quite a few things figured out.