The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels (73 page)

Eric opened the door, his voice laden with steel. "Until we find her, you won't be anything."

* * *

He wouldn't touch him, Eric promised himself as he drove up to Carter's Georgian-style home. He'd just take Nina and leave. If he touched him... He clenched his fist and parked his car. He counted to ten before ringing the doorbell.

Serena answered. "Hi, Eric. Haven't seen you in a while."

"Where's Carter?"

"In the basement. He—"

"Thank you." He walked past her. He found Carter at his desk. "Where is she?"

Carter spun around, his smile of welcome fading. "Who?"

"Don't play games. I saw your ransom note. I knew you were asking too much about Shelton."

"Ransom? What are you talking about?"

"You sent a ransom note to Shelton."

Carter shook his head. "Kidnapping is dirty business. You know I'm too clean for that."

Eric folded his arms.

"You're tense."

"I'm trying not to hurt you."

Carter held his arms open, a gesture of innocence.

"Come on, when have I ever had to use a child to get money? It's not my style."

Eric swore and let his arms fall. Carter was right. Using kids was not like him. But at that moment he wished it were. He didn't want to face Adriana without Nina. Face that he had failed her.

"It was a ransom note, not a phone call?"

"It's a note."

Carter held out his hand. "You have it with you?"

Eric gave it to him.

He studied the note and frowned. "Ten thousand? That's it?"

"Yes."

He held the note up to the light. "Are you sure this is real?"

"Nina is missing. It can't be a prank."

He spread the note on his table and sniffed it. "Who did the note go to?"

"Her father. He showed it to Adriana."

Carter looked at him, confused. "Why not the police?"

"I don't know." Eric shoved his hands in his pockets, resisting the urge to break something. "Perhaps he thought it was a joke like you did."

"Unless he's pulling the joke."

Eric glared at him in disgust.

"Human nature never surprises me. Was the divorce amiable?"

"It's not him. He wouldn't hurt Adriana this way."

Carter tapped the note, considering that. Eric usually read people well. "Something's strange about all this. Are the police involved now?"

"Not yet."

"Because you thought it was me, right?"

Eric didn't reply.

"Loyal till the end."

Eric pushed up his glasses. "No. I wanted to get to you first."

Carter folded the note and headed for the stairs. "Hmm. We're back in business."

"Why?"

"I think someone's trying to pull a scam. Fortunately, I got the string to hang them."

* * *

When Eric and Carter returned to Adriana's place, Laurence grabbed Carter by the lapels of his jacket. "Where's Nina?"

Carter held up his hands. "I don't have her, but I think it's someone you know."

"Why?"

"Usually is. Nina isn't the type to go with a stranger. I met her. She's smart."

"She's just a kid," Adriana said. "Kids make mistakes."

"It's the amount that bothers me."

"Perhaps it's a druggy who needs fast cash," Laurence said.

"They usually don't steal children."

"She could have been snatched randomly."

"But they knew she was worth money," Carter said.

Eric rubbed his chin. "Most girls at Brenton are worth money."

"They knew where to send the note."

Laurence picked up the phone. "I'm calling the police."

"You think the exposure won't get her killed?" Carter asked. "You're a big name. The media will be all over this."

Laurence dropped the phone.

"When kidnappers get nervous they get sloppy," Eric said.

Carter nodded grimly. "Yes, and they'll start to clean things up."

Adriana covered her ears. "Stop it!" She glared at them. "You're acting as if this were a game. There is nothing to be 'cleaned up.' We're talking about a child, my daughter. Her name is Nina. Understand? You don't need to be so cold and calculating about it."

Laurence drew her close. "It's all right, Adriana."

"No, it's not all right," Eric said coldly. "We can't have you falling apart on us. We can't afford to get emotional. We need to think and plan and organize. That's what's going to get her back. Not falling into tears."

Laurence cut in. "Wait a—"

Eric glared at him. "Shut up until I'm finished." He looked at Adriana. "You think we're not worried? Do you think our insides aren't turned into knots wondering where she is, wondering if she's safe? We feel too, but that isn't going to help her. You're a woman. You could put a different angle on things. We need you to think."

Adriana stared at him, wanting to hate him for being so callous, but knowing he was right. "Fine."

Carter folded his arms. "She's insurance. They'll hold her until they get the money."

"Let me just pay it," Laurence said.

Eric shook his head. "And let him win? No, Nina would never be safe after that. He needs to be caught."

"How do you know it's a he?" Adriana asked.

The men looked at her, then each other.

Carter clapped his hands and swore, pleased. "That explains it. Nina might be more likely to go with a woman."

"Then I'm calling the police," Laurence said.

Carter looked at him, curious. "Why didn't you do that when you got the ransom note?"

Laurence ignored him and began to dial. Carter stopped him. "Forget it. I already called."

* * *

Chaos soon followed. Everyone was interrogated. Police officers riddled them with questions exposing Adriana's marriage, divorce, and current arrangement. The police delved into Eric's and Carter's backgrounds.

As night turned into morning, tensions mounted. Eric returned home with Carter since Laurence made sure their presence was unwanted. Eric searched his mind for answers, hating the helpless feeling of being out of control. A half hour later Clay and Drake arrived at his house.

"What are you doing here?" Eric asked as they stepped into the room.

"Carter called us," Clay said.

Eric turned to him. "What are you up to?"

Carter grinned. "I'm pulling a scam of my own."

"What the hell are you talking about? This is a kidnapping, not a con."

"Let's look at the facts first."

The four men sat at the kitchen table.

Carter spoke. "Nina is missing. Her parents appear not to know where she is."

"Why do you say appear?" Clay asked.

"Can anyone say Susan Smith?" A mother who drowned her children and reported them missing.

Nobody argued.

"Okay, so we've established Nina is missing either knowingly or unknowingly," Drake said.

"Right," Carter said. "And Eric is the prime suspect."

Eric shook his head, amazed. "How could I be the prime suspect?"

"If the police built up a case you could be arrested."

"Why?"

"Because the clues point to you."

Chapter 14

Eric leaped to his feet, outraged. "But I don't have Nina."

"We know, mate," Clay said. "That's not the point. You're being set up."

"But the police—"

"The police aren't involved yet," Carter said.

Eric stilled. "But we just spoke to them."

"No, we didn't."

He swore. "You got fake cops? You mean no one is out there looking for her?"

"I have a reason for this. Nina is safe."

"How do you know?"

"First the note. You use very distinct paper at your office. It's the same as the note, same thread, same watermark. Second, it will be easy for any witness to use the 'I saw a black man walking a little girl fitting Nina's description' statement. Third, you're on the list of authorized adults to pick up Nina from school, right?"

Eric nodded. "That's right. Adriana made sure just in case I needed to get her."

"So you could slip under the school's radar. Fourth, you didn't go to work today."

"It's the end of March. I always go to..." His words died away. He always went to the building where his life had changed.

"Did anyone see you?" Clay asked.

"No."

Drake sighed. "So no one can vouch for you."

"No."

"Someone knows your pattern," Carter said. "Someone knew you'd be there. Who else knew you would be away from your office?"

Eric shook his head, too angry for words.

"This isn't about money or Nina. It's about you."

"Do you have any old enemies?" Clay asked.

Eric glanced at Drake and Carter and suddenly felt ill. Drake took out his cigarettes. Eric glared at him. "I'll quit when this is over," he said, igniting his lighter.

Eric didn't blink. Drake swore and gave him the cigarettes.

"So what do we do now?" Clay asked, ready for some action.

"We wait. Since Eric is the villain of this little game, someone's going to play the hero."

They fell into silence. Nearly a half hour later Eric's phone rang. "Yeah?" He listened for a moment, then hung up. "That was Adriana. They have Nina."

* * *

Only Carter and Eric went to Adriana's. Eric's joy and relief plummeted when he saw Lynda standing with Laurence. Two officers approached him at the door. Carter touched his ear, signaling that they were his.

"We'd like to ask you a few questions," one asked.

His jaw twitched. "I answered your questions."

"And we thank you for your cooperation, but we have a few more."

He paused. "Am I under arrest?"

"We just have a few questions."

"Am I under arrest?"

"We could—"

His eyes darkened. "Does that mean no?"

"Yes."

Eric opened the door. "Then I suggest you leave."

The cop pushed his face so close their noses touched. "If you have something to hide, we'll figure it out."

Eric stared back, unmoved. He closed the door behind them.

Nina ran to him. "Uncle Eric."

Laurence grabbed her before she reached him. "Go to your room."

She looked up at him, shocked. "But—"

"I said go."

Her eyes filled with tears. She nodded and left.

Eric said, "Don't make her feel like this was her fault."

"Why? Because it's yours?"

"I haven't done anything." He looked at Lynda. "What is she doing here?"

"She has my eternal gratitude. She found Nina."

Eric pushed up his glasses. "What a coincidence. You know she used to be my girlfriend."

"Yes, she told me all about you. While you were not directly responsible for Nina's kidnapping, you couldn't help bragging about your advantageous connections. You told Carter about her."

"She met him in my office."

"How convenient. Lynda overheard him talking about his supposed introduction with his wife. He has always had money trouble. He owed some guy money and convinced him of a bigger payoff if he used Nina as bait."

Eric looked bored. "Only ten thousand?"

"Ten thousand is a lot when you're desperate. He already knew where Nina went to school, thanks to Carter, and set his plan in motion."

Eric narrowed his eyes. "And Lynda just happened to know all this?"

He shrugged as a way of excuse. "She admits to liking bad boys. Her current boyfriend, Bruce, heard of the plan and agreed to be part of it. He took Nina and brought her to Lynda."

Carter spoke up. "Why didn't he just call the police to prevent the kidnapping in the first place?"

"Who cares why they did what they did?" Laurence asked, agitated. "Because of them Nina is safe."

"Ah, yes, the heroes," Carter muttered.

"She's lying," Eric said.

Laurence's voice was ice. "And you used to make a career out of it. I know her family. She has a sterling reputation. You have nothing but your name. Who do you think I'll believe?"

"Don't be a snob," Adriana said. "We know even blue bloods can lie."

He turned to her, angered that she would question his logic. "Why would she make this up?"

"Because she's a vindictive bitch."

"Who knows how to twist information," Carter said. "It will hang you one day. I'll provide the string." He opened the door, touched his sleeve with two fingers as a sign of revenge, then left.

Lynda burst into tears. "I knew you wouldn't believe me. I just wanted to help. I know it's far-fetched but it's true. When Bruce brought Nina to me she was so scared. I did everything to make her feel safe. I held her and took care of her and brought her here to you and this is the thanks I get."

"No, we're very grateful," Laurence said gently.

Adriana's voice was cold. "I'm not."

"Adriana!"

"She set this entire thing up. You're being blinded by your prejudice."

"Facts are facts."

"All I see is smoke. The only thing we have to grasp is her word."

Lynda straightened, wiping her tears. "I know when I'm not welcome." She raced out of the room.

Eric followed her to the elevators. "Lynda."

She stopped and slowly turned, all signs of tears gone. A cruel smile marred her pretty face. "I guess you deserve an explanation since you just lost your ticket up." She touched her hair, making sure it was in place. "You insulted and dumped me, Eric. I told you, you would regret it. You'll never be one of us." She stepped into the elevator and held his gaze until the doors closed.