Holdin' On for a Hero (112 page)

He listened for a moment. “Certainly, sir.” He handed the phone to Nikki.

“Yes?” she asked into the receiver.

“What happened?”

Nikki stepped out into the hall before answering. “Max and I discovered something. A sphere Christian gave me. We tried to scan it and it destroyed the scanner. We were trying to find information on it, run an image match. Then I showed Max another pendant Christian gave me. The day he died. He told me to keep it safe. The minute I put it in Max’s hand and he looked at it, his eyes rolled back and he fell unconscious. I can’t wake him and I’m scared. Mr. Gaynor wanted to call Dr. Abernathy but…but Mr. Weston, you can’t trust that man. He lied about Max. Max isn’t damaged. He just can’t talk. Abernathy is up to something. Just like that attorney and that Mark Robinson. They don’t want anyone to know that Max isn’t mental and you can’t trust them. Please, please tell Mr. Gaynor not to call Dr. Abernathy. Please.”

“Have no worries on that front, my dear. I will arrange for trustworthy medical attention immediately.”

“Thank you!”

She ran back inside and handed the phone to Osgood then threw herself down beside Max, taking his hand in both of hers. “Don’t worry,” she leaned over and whispered. “Abernathy won’t get his hands on you. I talked to your grandfather. He’s going to take care of everything. Just please try and wake up. Please, Max.”

Osgood concluded his conversation with Simon and left the room. Nikki paid no attention to his departure. All of her attention was on Max. She sat beside him, gripping his hand and begging him to awaken. When the door to the suite opened and two strange men in white, bearing an emergency stretcher entered, fear spiked up, hard and bitter.

“Who are you?” she demanded, jumping up to bar their way.

“Mr. Weston sent us,” one of them replied.

“Which Mr. Weston?”

“This Mr. Weston,” Simon’s voice came from behind them as he wheeled into the room, followed closely by Osgood.

The men started toward Maxwell and she let them pass, hurrying to kneel at Simon’s side. “Where are they taking him?”

“Somewhere safe, my dear,” he replied.

“Can I go?”

“Absolutely not,” Osgood answered from behind Simon’s chair.

Nikki cut him a look. “I wasn’t asking you. Simon, please. If he wakes up surrounded by strangers, he’ll freak. I need to be with him.” She leaned over and whispered into his ear. “Mark Robinson has a spy in the house. Deborah. She can’t find out that Max isn’t here.”

Simon studied her face for a moment when she pulled back, his eyes searching hers. At length he nodded. “Yes, I believe it would be best if you accompanied Maxwell. Osgood?” he looked over his shoulder. “The staff is not to be informed of this event. If asked, Maxwell has been sedated and his suite is off limits to everyone save yourself. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir. Of course.”

“Excellent.” Simon took something from the breast pocket of his dressing jacket and pressed it into Nikki’s hand, leaning close to her. “There is one number programmed into this phone, and this is a secure untraceable line. I want hourly reports from you.”

She nodded and started to pull away but his gnarled hands showed surprising strength, stopping her. “You and I will have a discussion very soon about these pendants.”

“Yes, sir,” she agreed without hesitation. She would have agreed to jump off the roof if it meant she got to be with Max.

“Okay, let’s get him loaded up,” one of the men said from behind her. She turned and saw they had Max on the stretcher.

“Miss Morgan will be accompanying you,” Simon directed.

“Certainly,” the man replied.

Simon maneuvered his wheelchair out of the way and let the men pass with the stretcher.

“Thank you.” She gave Simon a kiss on the cheek then snatched up Max’s iPhone from his desk and hurried to the elevator with Max and the two men. As the doors opened and they pushed Max inside, she looked back to see Simon watching. He nodded and with a hopeful smile she stepped inside the elevator.

Chapter Ten

“What do you mean he isn’t on the estate?” Mark Robinson’s voice rose in irritation.

“Shhhh!” Deborah, the maid, grabbed his arm and pulled him into the conservatory. “No one is supposed to know.”

“Know what exactly?”

She cut a look out of the door then turned to him. “I knew something funny was going on. Two days ago Mr. Gaynor announced at the morning staff meeting that Maxwell had been sedated and everyone was to stay out off his floor.”

“That’s hardly unusual.”

“Yeah, but this time nothing happened to lead into it. Normally Maxwell tears something up, destroys something, or hurts someone. This time everything was fine when I left work the day before and the next morning the announcement was made.

“I couldn’t find out anything from anyone. No one knew what’d happened. Then this morning I overheard Osgood and Louise talking in his office and he said he hadn’t heard a word about Maxwell since he was taken away.”

Mark’s eyes narrowed in thought. Had Charles been withholding information? And what about Richard? He wouldn’t have Maxwell institutionalized without letting Mark know. God only knows the ramifications of that action. No, this had to be something Richard wasn’t aware of.

Which left several possibilities. Either Charles Abernathy had cooked up a way to hospitalize Maxwell, or Simon had entered the game. Neither possibility was appealing. If Charles had Maxwell institutionalized, he could be running tests. And those tests could be used as evidence. And evidence could be very damaging to everyone. If one shred of evidence found its way to the surface, he, Richard and Helen stood to lose far more than money.

“And you’re quite sure Maxwell isn’t on the estate at present?”

She nodded. “I snuck up to the second floor and his door was unlocked. He’s not there.”

“Do you have any idea where he might be or why he was taken from the estate?”

“No. I told you everything I know. Oh, except that Nikki isn’t here either.”

“Miss Morgan left?”

“I guess. No one has seen her since Maxwell disappeared.”

Mark nodded and forced a smile. “Thank you, my dear. Richard will be quite grateful that you came to me with this. As am I. You’ll find a token of our gratitude arriving via mail shortly. In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears open and if you hear anything more, call me immediately.”

“Oh, I will,” she agreed with a grin. “And you’ll tell Mr. Weston that it was me that let you know?”

“Absolutely. Now you’d best be about your duties before anyone discovers us.”

“Oh, yes. Yes, sir.”

Mark watched her hurry from the room then headed for Osgood’s office.

Louise was in the kitchen taking a pie from the oven when Mark entered. “Mr. Robinson, what a surprise. I didn’t know you’d arrived.”

“I need a moment of Osgood’s time if he’s available, Louise.”

“Oh, certainly sir. Can I serve you a cup of coffee?”

“No, thank you.”

“Very well,” she removed her oven mitts and hurried to the door of the household office. “Osgood? Mr. Robinson would like a word with you.”

She turned to Mark. “Would you like to speak in the office, sir?”

Mark crossed the room to her. “That’s fine. Thank you, Louise.”

She stepped aside for him. He entered and closed the door behind him. Osgood was standing at the desk. “How may I assist you, sir?”

Mark took a seat in the chair in front of the desk. “Osgood, I’m quite concerned about the security at the estate.”

“How so, sir?” Osgood asked as he reclaimed his seat.

“Apparently people are missing from the estate.”

“Sir?”

“Come now, Osgood. We’re both too old and too far into this game to play cat and mouse. I know that Nikki Morgan and Maxwell have been missing from the estate for at least forty-eight hours. The question is why and for what purpose?”

Osgood’s eyes never wavered, a credit to his stalwart nature. “That is not for me to say, sir.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I have no knowledge of Miss Morgan’s whereabouts, or Maxwell’s for that matter.”

“So you do acknowledge that neither of them are currently on the estate.”

“No, sir, I cannot.”

“And you don’t know where they are.”

“Correct again, sir.”

“Why did either of them leave the estate, Osgood?”

“To my knowledge they have not, sir.”

“Then just who can tell me their whereabouts?”

“I’ve been directed to inform you that you will need to speak with Mr. Weston about that, sir.”

“Richard?”

“No, sir. Mr. Simon.”

Mark’s inner alarm went into red alert at Osgood’s reply. If Simon was involved then the fat had definitely hit the fire. He had no choice but to consult with Richard. Going to Simon would be fruitless. Simon had disliked him for years and the likelihood of Simon telling him anything fell into about the same percentage as hell freezing over.

“Thank you for your time, Osgood,” he said as he stood. “I’ll let you get on with your business.”

“Yes, sir.” Osgood rose as Mark turned and crossed the room.

He nearly ran over Louise, who was eavesdropping on the other side of the door. She watched him leave then hurried into Osgood’s office. “You can take it to the bank that he’ll be telling Mr. Richard about this before he makes it to the gate.”

“I would imagine so,” Osgood replied.

“And that doesn’t concern you?”

Osgood sighed heavily. “Louise, everything about this place and these people have concerned me for thirty years. Ever since you…”

Louise walked on into the room and took a seat. “Ossie, I know the sacrifices you’ve made, and don’t think for one moment that I don’t appreciate it. When the two of us left home all those years ago, we both had such dreams, didn’t we? We’d find good homes to work in, find someone to love and make lives for ourselves. And here we are, all these years later, both still unmarried and having spent most of our lives serving people who have the morals of alley cats.

“Would that I could go back in time and make another choice—”

“No, don’t say that, Louise. And don’t count my sacrifice any larger than your own. You’ve been a wonderful sister to me, and have done what you had to do. You’re right that we had no idea what life held in store for us when we left home”

Louise nodded. “I’ve tried to fulfill my duty, Osgood. To protect him. But I couldn’t have done it without you and I want you to know that. And to know how much I love and appreciate you for it. It’s cost you so many opportunities and chances. Chances for love.”

“Better to never have known it, my dear, than to have spent a lifetime loving someone you could never share a life with.”

It was Louise who sighed heavily then. “It wasn’t in the cards, my dear. And besides, our work is not yet done. So best we put on our coats of armor and ready ourselves for battle, for as sure as I live and breathe a battle is brewing. And in this one, I fear there will be casualties.”

“As do I,” he agreed. “As do I.”

* * * * *

For nearly an hour Mark Robinson had paced his penthouse suite, considering his next move. Richard and Helen would have to be told that Maxwell was missing. The question was, how to spin the disappearance?

Did he lay the blame at Nikki’s feet? She was, after all, missing as well. Or did he reveal to them that Simon’s hand was at play in this development? Moreover, how did he explain that despite his best efforts and those of all the people he’d called in favors from, could he not discover Maxwell’s whereabouts?

Nothing about the situation spelled a win for any of the players. Except of course, Simon. But then regardless of their best efforts for years, he and Richard had not yet found a way to one-up the old man. Not even Helen and her foiled attempt at seducing Simon years ago had made a crack in that ancient armor.

He sighed, poured himself a drink, and took a seat on the sofa, staring morosely at the muted television. There had to be someone who could help him locate Maxwell. An idea occurred to him. Not one that was particularly inviting, but at this point he’d be willing to at least appear to eat a little crow.

Charles Abernathy might be able to help. After all he was a physician and as such at least could place calls to hospitals and private clinics to check on the status of a patient. And he was the doctor of record for Maxwell.

Giving some quick thought to how he would approach Charles, Mark picked up his phone, located Charles’ number and placed the call.

* * * * *

Charles closed his phone and chuckled. It amused him that the mighty intelligence arm of the Weston empire was striking out trying to locate Maxwell. It also gave him a sense of smug satisfaction to have Mark come to him for help.

Charles had promised to make inquiries at area hospitals and clinics to see if Maxwell had been admitted, or anyone matching his description. What Charles did not promise was how long it would take him to pass the information along if he obtained it.

His own inside man, the driver Steve, had mentioned several times that Maxwell spent an inordinate amount of time on the computer. He claimed that Maxwell had a very sophisticated setup in his suite and also carried a laptop around with him.

Charles knew that before the incident, Maxwell was regarded as brilliant with a very high IQ. It was possible there was more on that computer than just games. Perhaps it would be wise to have Steve bring the computer to him. There might be something on it that could prove useful.

Yes, that’s exactly what he’d do. If he could stay one step ahead of Mark Robinson, he just might amass enough information to ensure not only his continued prosperity, but secure his continued safety.

* * * * *

A steady beeping sound filtered through the haze clouding his mind. Maxwell opened his eyes and blinked against the dryness. He was hooked up to a bank of monitors, the source of the noise. But where was he?

Just as he turned his head to look around he became aware of a weight on his left thigh and the feel of a warm hand in his. Nikki sat in a chair beside the bed, slumped over with her head on his leg and her hand holding tightly to his.

Her breathing was slow and even in sleep, but dark circles marred the skin beneath the sweep of dark lashes. Max didn’t wake her. He needed to clear his head and figure out where he was and what had happened.

He had no idea how long he’d been unconscious, but he did know that memories had come back to him. Things that had happened that he’d forgotten. And those things seemed to be connected with what was happening now.

He was so caught up in going over what he’d remembered and trying to piece it together with current events and have it make sense, that he didn’t notice Nikki open her eyes.

“Max?” She raised her head then jumped to her feet to throw herself on him, hugging and kissing him all over his face. “Oh god, Max! I was so scared! How do you feel? Are you in pain? Do you remember what happened? Oh god, I thought I’d lost you!”

Max couldn’t help but smile. He gently pushed her back and signed
I’m okay. Where are we?

“A private hospital somewhere in Georgia. Simon arranged everything.”

Does grandfather know what happened?

“Yes. I told him everything. I’ve been speaking with him by phone every hour since we left the estate. Max, what happened?”

Too much to explain this way.

“Oh!” she exclaimed and dug his iPhone out of her pocket. “Here, I brought this.”

Max grinned and took the phone. In seconds he was connected to a private server where his communication programs were housed. For several minutes he typed before he showed her the phone.

I’ve seen that pendant before. The key pendant. In Iraq. I was on leave and instead of hanging with the other guys, I went wandering around. I met an old man in an outdoor market. He was very insistent that he had something that was meant for me. I thought he was trying to pull a con on me, but something made me stay and listen. He pulled me off to one side and pulled out a pendant exactly like the one you have. He said it was part of a very special device that housed three very special stones. Stones of rare value and unique power.

I told him I wasn’t interested in buying anything and he said it wasn’t for sale. It was a gift so that I could unite the stones. I argued and said I couldn’t take it but he was insistent. I put it in my pocket and in the next instant there was gunfire. The old man was hit and fell. I picked him up, trying to move him out of harm’s way. I’d gone maybe fifty feet when I felt something slam into my back. The next thing I remember was medics waking me up, and realizing I was holding the old man, as I sat slumped against a wall.

I lost consciousness again and didn’t waken until I was in a hospital. I asked about the pendant but no one knew anything about it.

Nikki’s eyes widened. “So someone had to have taken it. And somehow it ended up in Christian’s hands and then when…”