She's an Easy Target, page 16
part #2 of Quinton Target Series
“You said your NSA office is at the JUIAF.”
“It is, but I thought you understood, I was on a field assignment.”
“Where was your field assignment?”
“I can’t tell you. It’s classified.”
“Where was your car parked when you put something into it?”
“It was near the university. I’m not sure about the street name. I think it was Cottage Lane.”
“Did you perform your assignment while on Cottage Lane?”
“I can’t answer. It’s classified.”
“What exactly was your assignment?”
“Classified.”
“Are you sure you weren’t on Cottage Lane to meet up with Thomas Thomson?”
“I don’t know Thomas Thomson.”
“Have you ever taken illegal drugs.”
“No ... not really. Hypothetically, if I’d smoked pot one time in college to see what it’s like, I wouldn’t classify that as using an illegal drug.”
“Were you on Cottage Lane last night to buy drugs from Thomas Thomson either as part of your assignment or for personal use.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Did you have a romantic relationship with Thomas Thomson?”
“I’ve told you several times, I don’t know the man.” She looked at QT, as if to say, You believe me, don’t you?
“Have you ever cheated on your boyfriend, Quinton Target, as part of an assignment or for personal pleasure.”
“You’re way out of line with that question,” Quinton said. “It has nothing to do with the murder investigation. You want to know if I’d leave Blaire if she had an affair, like I did you when you cheated on me.”
“Maybe, but I don’t see why she’d have a problem answering the question if she’s been completely faithful.”
“Don’t answer the question, Blaire,” he said.
“Let me take another approach,” Stephanie said. She removed a picture from the pouch on the side of her notebook case and handed it to Blaire. “Do you know this man?”
Blaire took a long look at the mugshot. “I can’t say for sure, but I may have seen him at the JUIAF once or twice.”
“This is Thomas Thomson. I thought you said you didn’t know him?”
“I was never introduced to the man in the photo. I had no way of knowing his name was Thomas Thomson.”
“In light of the fact that you admit knowing him, let me ask one more time. Did you buy drugs from the man in the photo or have a romantic relationship with him?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Alright, let’s get back to Cottage Lane. What did you put into the trunk of your car?”
“A backpack.”
“What was inside the backpack?”
“That’s classified.”
“What if I told you that we found a backpack inside your trunk along with the body?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all. I haven’t seen my car or backpack since I was kidnapped.”
“Can you confirm that everything in the backpack belongs to you?”
“Not without seeing the backpack and its current contents.”
“Do you own a gun and was it in the backpack?”
“Yes.”
“Can you explain to me how it is that Thomas Thomson, who you say you’ve seen at the NSA, was found dead in the trunk of your car with two bullets inside him that were fired from your gun?”
“No, I can’t explain it.”
“Where were you between one and three this morning?”
“I was locked in a self-storage container in Crozet.”
“Can anyone confirm that?”
“Yes, the man in the gargoyle mask who kidnapped and tortured me and has attacked me two more times today while I was under the protection of your police officers.”
“I can verify that at two-forty-five this morning she was inside the storage unit because I freed her from it at that time.” QT said.
“How do I know for certain that you weren’t involved in a drug deal or romantic relationship with Thomas Thomson that went bad? Nobody has seen a man in a gargoyle mask except you. From my perspective, it’s possible you and an accomplice planned the murder together. You could have lured Thomson to Crozet Storage, murdered him, and put his body in your trunk. Then to cover it up, you invented this far-fetched kidnapping story.”
“I suppose I had my accomplice beat me and torture me just to make it look good.”
“I’ve seen it done before.”
“I’m the victim here, not the perpetrator. This interview is over. If you want to talk to me again, arrest me and I’ll have my lawyer present. Now, get the Hell out of my house.”
“OK, this informal interview is over,” QT said.
Chapter 33
To the lieutenant’s surprise, Chloe answered her call on the first ring — but she didn’t speak right away. When she did speak, her tone was friendly. It was as though she were an actress putting herself in character before saying her lines. At least that’s the way Lieutenant Mad interpreted it.
“I was just going to call you,” Chloe said.
“Really? Why?”
“I’ve been trying to reach Dr. Bit and he hasn’t answered my calls or replied to my texts.”
“He usually leaves his car in the driveway when he’s at home. Let me check to see if it’s there. He might be on the network in the basement.” The lieutenant opened her window shade and looked outside. “I don’t see the car. He must have gone somewhere.”
“I checked our location sharing app, but it isn’t showing his current location.”
“Maybe his phone battery died, or he turned off the app.”
“Usually, he answers my calls right away and responds quickly to my texts.”
“He’s been known to space out when he’s in cyberworld. It’s conceivable he’s in a coffeeshop, on his laptop, and disconnected from the real world.”
“Maybe.”
“Did the two of you have a fight?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“I heard him talking on the phone with you during lunch. I gathered from his side of the conversation that you were getting together after you finished at the Social Security Office.”
“Yes, that was the plan, but Dr. Bit showed up unexpectedly at my apartment shortly after that call. It was awkward, but I thought we’d smoothed things over before I left. I’m getting ready to go home now, which is why I was trying to reach him.”
“I thought he’d been to your apartment previously. What was awkward about him coming there today?”
“Yes, he’s been there before. I didn’t have a problem with him coming over, but I wish he’d called first. When Dr. Bit arrived, my manager was inside my apartment. He was there to drop off some papers. What was awkward was that he came out of my bathroom as I opened the front door to let Dr. Bit inside.”
“That sounds innocent enough. Dr. Bit isn’t the passive aggressive type. He wouldn’t ignore your calls because he was jealous. As soon as he sees that you’re trying to reach him, he’ll contact you. I’m certain of that.”
“I hope you’re right ... I’ve been so absorbed by my own problem, I forgot that you were the one who initiated our called. Is there something special you wanted to talk to me about?”
“This is going to sound strange, but have you ever been a blonde?”
“Yes, I’ve dyed my hair blonde a few times, but I’m a natural brunette. Why do you ask?
“Did Dr. Bit tell you that QT’s girlfriend, Blaire Saunders, was kidnapped last night?”
“Yes, he did. QT must feel terrible that he was partying with us while she was being kidnapped.”
“He doesn’t dwell on things in the past that can’t be changed. I’m sure he’s focused on what to do to catch whoever was responsible for it.”
“What does me dyeing my hair blonde have to do with a kidnapping?”
“Nothing. It has something to do with Blaire. QT texted me that he showed Blaire our group selfie and she was certain she’d met you before, except you were a blonde.”
“I don’t know where she would have seen me when my hair was dyed, unless she went to the Social Security Office and I met her there.”
“She said she saw a blonde version of you a couple of times at the JUIAF and was told you were an NSA consultant.”
“She’s mistaken. I’ve never worked for the NSA and I’ve never been to the JUIAF.”
“It must be a case of mistaken identity. The woman Blaire saw is named Savannah Clayton.”
“I’ve never heard of a Savannah Clayborn.”
“Did I say Clayborn? I thought I said Clayton.”
“As far as I know, I don’t have a look-alike named Savannah Clayton or Clayborn.”
“Has Dr. Bit told you anything about our small group that assists the federal intelligence agencies?”
“He made some comments that led me to believe you have a team that performs covert activities. He didn’t give me any details. He said you’d kill him if you knew he’d said anything to me. I assumed he meant you’d be angry at him, not really execute him.”
“As you can imagine, we are very selective about who knows about our team’s existence.”
“That’s understandable. To be honest, I get very bored working for the Social Security Administration. I wish I had the skills to be part of your team.”
“I hope I didn’t offend you with my questions.”
“Not at all — but I have to go now. Someone is calling me. Let’s get together sometime and talk some more.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
With a knowing look on her face, the lieutenant set her iPhone on the nightstand. Chloe Ripen was as cool as they come. She’d tried to gloss over her mistake, but it was too late for that. Sooner or later even the best undercover operatives slip up. The lieutenant had set a trap and Chloe had fallen into it. It was a minor thing. She’d deliberately used the name Savannah Clayton and Chloe had responded by referring to the last name Clayborn.
It was clear to Lieutenant Mad that Chloe Ripen and Savannah Clayborn were the same person!
Chapter 34
If Stephanie was upset about Blaire evicting her from the townhouse, she didn’t show it. She walked to the door with a smile on her face. QT followed her.
“You were rather harsh, don’t you think?” he said.
“I treated her like any other suspect in a murder case.”
“You were supposed to be interviewing her as a potential witness to a murder, not interrogating her as a suspect.”
“She gets no special favors from me.”
“That’s OK as long as she doesn’t get any special mistreatment because of your misguided perception that we started going out while I was still in a relationship with you.”
“I’m trying to rule her out. It’s my normal modus operandi to be aggressive in some lines of questioning. Sometimes the additional pressure forces revelations that wouldn’t normally come out. I’m sure you’ve used that technique in your job.”
“You can’t honestly believe that Blaire faked her own kidnapping and two additional attacks on herself to cover up murdering a drug dealer, can you?”
“I’m trying to keep an open mind about all possibilities. She isn’t the likely killer, but she’s obviously connected to it somehow. I believe she may have information that can help me get to the bottom of it. So, pardon me if I don’t treat her with kid gloves.”
“Alright, you do your job and I’ll do mine, which is to find the person who kidnapped Blaire. Most likely, the same person who did the kidnapping killed Thomas Thomson.”
“During your investigation, I’ll expect you to share any information pertinent to the murder. Since Blaire cut the interview short, I didn’t get the chance to question her about the alleged attack that took place a short while ago. Either you’ll need to fill me in after you talk with her or I’ll have to bring her to the police station for a formal interview.”
“Alleged attack? They took a police officer to the hospital in an ambulance. That seems definitive to me.”
“I haven’t talked to the policeman yet to get his side of the story. How do I know for sure Blaire didn’t work with the alleged kidnapper to drug the officer so they could be together?”
“You don’t really believe that, do you?”
“I have to consider it.”
“Consider this. Sometimes you get more out of people if you treat them with respect. You’ve totally blown that opportunity with Blaire.”
“I can live with that. I’m comfortable with the approach I took. Her damsel in distress act doesn’t fly with me.”
***
QT walked upstairs to the master bedroom to find Blaire. She was sitting on the bed with her hands over her eyes and face.
She looked up at QT when he opened the door and said, “Is that horrible woman gone?”
“Yes, she’s gone.”
“Does she really think I killed the man found in the trunk of my car?”
“I doubt it. She’s abrasive sometimes. Don’t take it personally.”
“How can I not take it personally?”
“Her hostility was intended for me. You’re an easy target for her to use to get back at me for leaving her after she cheated on me with her boss. Don’t worry about it. The facts will come out. We’ll figure out where Thomas Thomson fits into this.”
“I’m feeling vulnerable. It’s bad enough I have a psycho who keeps attacking me. I don’t need the police treating me like a murder suspect.”
“It’s very unusual for a perpetrator to kidnap his victim, release her before any demands are satisfied, and then attack her twice the next day.”
“He said he wanted me to be free to be able to do things for him. He also said he owns me now. The two attacks were to prove to me that he can get to me at any time to harm me if I disobey him.”
“For him to be that brazen, he must be delusional. He’s acting like he thinks he’s invincible. He probably gets his rocks off intimidating you.”
Blaire cringed a little after his comment, but she didn’t tell QT that the man had grabbed her breast. “Nobody has done anything to prove to him he isn’t invincible,” she said.
“Did he make specific demands during this latest visit?”
While remaining seated on the bed, Blaire reached over to the nightstand and opened the drawer. She removed a small piece of paper and handed it to QT. “He demanded that I tell my father to transfer two million dollars to an offshore account by 5 p.m. on Monday.”
“And if you and your father don’t comply?”
“The next bottle of liquid thrown in my face will be acid instead of water.”
He sat on the bed and put his arm around her. She sniffled and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m not going to let that happen,” he said.
“How are you going to stop him?”
“For starters, I’ll trace that account to see where it leads.”
“Aren’t offshore accounts confidential?”
“There are ways around the protections.”
“Should I call my father and let him know what’s going on with the ransom?”
“Yes, you’ll need to give him time to get the money ready, in case we need it. Are you sure he can raise the money?”
“I’m sure.”
“Did the kidnapper make any other demands or say anything that might lead us to him?”
Blaire hesitated. She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out.
“What is it?” QT said.
“He wants me to seduce Lucas.”
“What? Why would he ask you to do such a thing? Unless ... Lucas is in on it, too. Maybe this whole thing is an elaborate plan devised by Lucas to get you to willingly go to bed with him and to extort money from your father.”
“Lucas can be obnoxious, and he has made unwelcome advances toward me, but I don’t think he’d go so far as to kidnap me.”
“He’s obsessed with you. I think he’d go to any extreme to have you. Did the man in the mask give you a reason for wanting you to seduce Lucas?”
“He said Lucas has a safe in his bedroom and he wants me to break into it. He figured the only way I could accomplish that was to convince Lucas I wanted him.”
“What’s in the safe?”
“It’s a list with some names on it. I’m supposed to obtain the contents and deliver what I’ve stolen to him. He’ll reveal the meeting place to me later.”
“If Lucas and he are partners and are expecting to split two million dollars, why is he double-crossing Lucas?”
“We don’t know for sure they’re working together.”
“No, but we need to treat Lucas as our number one suspect.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“We aren’t going to have you go to bed with Lucas Taylor. That isn’t going to happen under any circumstances. I’m going to interview Lucas as soon as possible and we’ll decide how to play it after I talk with him.”
Blair snuggled closer to him, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him on the lips. “What’s that for?” he said.
“I have to tell you something else,” she said.
“What?”
“Before the kidnapper arrived, I called Lucas?”
QT pulled away from her and said, “Why on earth did you do that?”
“Because I felt helpless in this whole situation and I wanted to know where I stand with the NSA.”
“And did he tell you?”
“He said I could return to my job whenever I was ready, as early as Monday.”
“Did he hit on you?”
“Not really. He offered to help me with any personal problems between you and me. I was adamant that I don’t want his help in my private life.”
“Was that it?”
“No, he told me you called him last night to ask him if I was spending the night with him and whether we previously had been involved in an affair.”
“You don’t believe I said that, do you?”
“No, of course not.”
“He also said you were still holding a grudge against me because of my indiscretion with Jeremy.”
“It is, but I thought you understood, I was on a field assignment.”
“Where was your field assignment?”
“I can’t tell you. It’s classified.”
“Where was your car parked when you put something into it?”
“It was near the university. I’m not sure about the street name. I think it was Cottage Lane.”
“Did you perform your assignment while on Cottage Lane?”
“I can’t answer. It’s classified.”
“What exactly was your assignment?”
“Classified.”
“Are you sure you weren’t on Cottage Lane to meet up with Thomas Thomson?”
“I don’t know Thomas Thomson.”
“Have you ever taken illegal drugs.”
“No ... not really. Hypothetically, if I’d smoked pot one time in college to see what it’s like, I wouldn’t classify that as using an illegal drug.”
“Were you on Cottage Lane last night to buy drugs from Thomas Thomson either as part of your assignment or for personal use.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Did you have a romantic relationship with Thomas Thomson?”
“I’ve told you several times, I don’t know the man.” She looked at QT, as if to say, You believe me, don’t you?
“Have you ever cheated on your boyfriend, Quinton Target, as part of an assignment or for personal pleasure.”
“You’re way out of line with that question,” Quinton said. “It has nothing to do with the murder investigation. You want to know if I’d leave Blaire if she had an affair, like I did you when you cheated on me.”
“Maybe, but I don’t see why she’d have a problem answering the question if she’s been completely faithful.”
“Don’t answer the question, Blaire,” he said.
“Let me take another approach,” Stephanie said. She removed a picture from the pouch on the side of her notebook case and handed it to Blaire. “Do you know this man?”
Blaire took a long look at the mugshot. “I can’t say for sure, but I may have seen him at the JUIAF once or twice.”
“This is Thomas Thomson. I thought you said you didn’t know him?”
“I was never introduced to the man in the photo. I had no way of knowing his name was Thomas Thomson.”
“In light of the fact that you admit knowing him, let me ask one more time. Did you buy drugs from the man in the photo or have a romantic relationship with him?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Alright, let’s get back to Cottage Lane. What did you put into the trunk of your car?”
“A backpack.”
“What was inside the backpack?”
“That’s classified.”
“What if I told you that we found a backpack inside your trunk along with the body?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all. I haven’t seen my car or backpack since I was kidnapped.”
“Can you confirm that everything in the backpack belongs to you?”
“Not without seeing the backpack and its current contents.”
“Do you own a gun and was it in the backpack?”
“Yes.”
“Can you explain to me how it is that Thomas Thomson, who you say you’ve seen at the NSA, was found dead in the trunk of your car with two bullets inside him that were fired from your gun?”
“No, I can’t explain it.”
“Where were you between one and three this morning?”
“I was locked in a self-storage container in Crozet.”
“Can anyone confirm that?”
“Yes, the man in the gargoyle mask who kidnapped and tortured me and has attacked me two more times today while I was under the protection of your police officers.”
“I can verify that at two-forty-five this morning she was inside the storage unit because I freed her from it at that time.” QT said.
“How do I know for certain that you weren’t involved in a drug deal or romantic relationship with Thomas Thomson that went bad? Nobody has seen a man in a gargoyle mask except you. From my perspective, it’s possible you and an accomplice planned the murder together. You could have lured Thomson to Crozet Storage, murdered him, and put his body in your trunk. Then to cover it up, you invented this far-fetched kidnapping story.”
“I suppose I had my accomplice beat me and torture me just to make it look good.”
“I’ve seen it done before.”
“I’m the victim here, not the perpetrator. This interview is over. If you want to talk to me again, arrest me and I’ll have my lawyer present. Now, get the Hell out of my house.”
“OK, this informal interview is over,” QT said.
Chapter 33
To the lieutenant’s surprise, Chloe answered her call on the first ring — but she didn’t speak right away. When she did speak, her tone was friendly. It was as though she were an actress putting herself in character before saying her lines. At least that’s the way Lieutenant Mad interpreted it.
“I was just going to call you,” Chloe said.
“Really? Why?”
“I’ve been trying to reach Dr. Bit and he hasn’t answered my calls or replied to my texts.”
“He usually leaves his car in the driveway when he’s at home. Let me check to see if it’s there. He might be on the network in the basement.” The lieutenant opened her window shade and looked outside. “I don’t see the car. He must have gone somewhere.”
“I checked our location sharing app, but it isn’t showing his current location.”
“Maybe his phone battery died, or he turned off the app.”
“Usually, he answers my calls right away and responds quickly to my texts.”
“He’s been known to space out when he’s in cyberworld. It’s conceivable he’s in a coffeeshop, on his laptop, and disconnected from the real world.”
“Maybe.”
“Did the two of you have a fight?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“I heard him talking on the phone with you during lunch. I gathered from his side of the conversation that you were getting together after you finished at the Social Security Office.”
“Yes, that was the plan, but Dr. Bit showed up unexpectedly at my apartment shortly after that call. It was awkward, but I thought we’d smoothed things over before I left. I’m getting ready to go home now, which is why I was trying to reach him.”
“I thought he’d been to your apartment previously. What was awkward about him coming there today?”
“Yes, he’s been there before. I didn’t have a problem with him coming over, but I wish he’d called first. When Dr. Bit arrived, my manager was inside my apartment. He was there to drop off some papers. What was awkward was that he came out of my bathroom as I opened the front door to let Dr. Bit inside.”
“That sounds innocent enough. Dr. Bit isn’t the passive aggressive type. He wouldn’t ignore your calls because he was jealous. As soon as he sees that you’re trying to reach him, he’ll contact you. I’m certain of that.”
“I hope you’re right ... I’ve been so absorbed by my own problem, I forgot that you were the one who initiated our called. Is there something special you wanted to talk to me about?”
“This is going to sound strange, but have you ever been a blonde?”
“Yes, I’ve dyed my hair blonde a few times, but I’m a natural brunette. Why do you ask?
“Did Dr. Bit tell you that QT’s girlfriend, Blaire Saunders, was kidnapped last night?”
“Yes, he did. QT must feel terrible that he was partying with us while she was being kidnapped.”
“He doesn’t dwell on things in the past that can’t be changed. I’m sure he’s focused on what to do to catch whoever was responsible for it.”
“What does me dyeing my hair blonde have to do with a kidnapping?”
“Nothing. It has something to do with Blaire. QT texted me that he showed Blaire our group selfie and she was certain she’d met you before, except you were a blonde.”
“I don’t know where she would have seen me when my hair was dyed, unless she went to the Social Security Office and I met her there.”
“She said she saw a blonde version of you a couple of times at the JUIAF and was told you were an NSA consultant.”
“She’s mistaken. I’ve never worked for the NSA and I’ve never been to the JUIAF.”
“It must be a case of mistaken identity. The woman Blaire saw is named Savannah Clayton.”
“I’ve never heard of a Savannah Clayborn.”
“Did I say Clayborn? I thought I said Clayton.”
“As far as I know, I don’t have a look-alike named Savannah Clayton or Clayborn.”
“Has Dr. Bit told you anything about our small group that assists the federal intelligence agencies?”
“He made some comments that led me to believe you have a team that performs covert activities. He didn’t give me any details. He said you’d kill him if you knew he’d said anything to me. I assumed he meant you’d be angry at him, not really execute him.”
“As you can imagine, we are very selective about who knows about our team’s existence.”
“That’s understandable. To be honest, I get very bored working for the Social Security Administration. I wish I had the skills to be part of your team.”
“I hope I didn’t offend you with my questions.”
“Not at all — but I have to go now. Someone is calling me. Let’s get together sometime and talk some more.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
With a knowing look on her face, the lieutenant set her iPhone on the nightstand. Chloe Ripen was as cool as they come. She’d tried to gloss over her mistake, but it was too late for that. Sooner or later even the best undercover operatives slip up. The lieutenant had set a trap and Chloe had fallen into it. It was a minor thing. She’d deliberately used the name Savannah Clayton and Chloe had responded by referring to the last name Clayborn.
It was clear to Lieutenant Mad that Chloe Ripen and Savannah Clayborn were the same person!
Chapter 34
If Stephanie was upset about Blaire evicting her from the townhouse, she didn’t show it. She walked to the door with a smile on her face. QT followed her.
“You were rather harsh, don’t you think?” he said.
“I treated her like any other suspect in a murder case.”
“You were supposed to be interviewing her as a potential witness to a murder, not interrogating her as a suspect.”
“She gets no special favors from me.”
“That’s OK as long as she doesn’t get any special mistreatment because of your misguided perception that we started going out while I was still in a relationship with you.”
“I’m trying to rule her out. It’s my normal modus operandi to be aggressive in some lines of questioning. Sometimes the additional pressure forces revelations that wouldn’t normally come out. I’m sure you’ve used that technique in your job.”
“You can’t honestly believe that Blaire faked her own kidnapping and two additional attacks on herself to cover up murdering a drug dealer, can you?”
“I’m trying to keep an open mind about all possibilities. She isn’t the likely killer, but she’s obviously connected to it somehow. I believe she may have information that can help me get to the bottom of it. So, pardon me if I don’t treat her with kid gloves.”
“Alright, you do your job and I’ll do mine, which is to find the person who kidnapped Blaire. Most likely, the same person who did the kidnapping killed Thomas Thomson.”
“During your investigation, I’ll expect you to share any information pertinent to the murder. Since Blaire cut the interview short, I didn’t get the chance to question her about the alleged attack that took place a short while ago. Either you’ll need to fill me in after you talk with her or I’ll have to bring her to the police station for a formal interview.”
“Alleged attack? They took a police officer to the hospital in an ambulance. That seems definitive to me.”
“I haven’t talked to the policeman yet to get his side of the story. How do I know for sure Blaire didn’t work with the alleged kidnapper to drug the officer so they could be together?”
“You don’t really believe that, do you?”
“I have to consider it.”
“Consider this. Sometimes you get more out of people if you treat them with respect. You’ve totally blown that opportunity with Blaire.”
“I can live with that. I’m comfortable with the approach I took. Her damsel in distress act doesn’t fly with me.”
***
QT walked upstairs to the master bedroom to find Blaire. She was sitting on the bed with her hands over her eyes and face.
She looked up at QT when he opened the door and said, “Is that horrible woman gone?”
“Yes, she’s gone.”
“Does she really think I killed the man found in the trunk of my car?”
“I doubt it. She’s abrasive sometimes. Don’t take it personally.”
“How can I not take it personally?”
“Her hostility was intended for me. You’re an easy target for her to use to get back at me for leaving her after she cheated on me with her boss. Don’t worry about it. The facts will come out. We’ll figure out where Thomas Thomson fits into this.”
“I’m feeling vulnerable. It’s bad enough I have a psycho who keeps attacking me. I don’t need the police treating me like a murder suspect.”
“It’s very unusual for a perpetrator to kidnap his victim, release her before any demands are satisfied, and then attack her twice the next day.”
“He said he wanted me to be free to be able to do things for him. He also said he owns me now. The two attacks were to prove to me that he can get to me at any time to harm me if I disobey him.”
“For him to be that brazen, he must be delusional. He’s acting like he thinks he’s invincible. He probably gets his rocks off intimidating you.”
Blaire cringed a little after his comment, but she didn’t tell QT that the man had grabbed her breast. “Nobody has done anything to prove to him he isn’t invincible,” she said.
“Did he make specific demands during this latest visit?”
While remaining seated on the bed, Blaire reached over to the nightstand and opened the drawer. She removed a small piece of paper and handed it to QT. “He demanded that I tell my father to transfer two million dollars to an offshore account by 5 p.m. on Monday.”
“And if you and your father don’t comply?”
“The next bottle of liquid thrown in my face will be acid instead of water.”
He sat on the bed and put his arm around her. She sniffled and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m not going to let that happen,” he said.
“How are you going to stop him?”
“For starters, I’ll trace that account to see where it leads.”
“Aren’t offshore accounts confidential?”
“There are ways around the protections.”
“Should I call my father and let him know what’s going on with the ransom?”
“Yes, you’ll need to give him time to get the money ready, in case we need it. Are you sure he can raise the money?”
“I’m sure.”
“Did the kidnapper make any other demands or say anything that might lead us to him?”
Blaire hesitated. She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out.
“What is it?” QT said.
“He wants me to seduce Lucas.”
“What? Why would he ask you to do such a thing? Unless ... Lucas is in on it, too. Maybe this whole thing is an elaborate plan devised by Lucas to get you to willingly go to bed with him and to extort money from your father.”
“Lucas can be obnoxious, and he has made unwelcome advances toward me, but I don’t think he’d go so far as to kidnap me.”
“He’s obsessed with you. I think he’d go to any extreme to have you. Did the man in the mask give you a reason for wanting you to seduce Lucas?”
“He said Lucas has a safe in his bedroom and he wants me to break into it. He figured the only way I could accomplish that was to convince Lucas I wanted him.”
“What’s in the safe?”
“It’s a list with some names on it. I’m supposed to obtain the contents and deliver what I’ve stolen to him. He’ll reveal the meeting place to me later.”
“If Lucas and he are partners and are expecting to split two million dollars, why is he double-crossing Lucas?”
“We don’t know for sure they’re working together.”
“No, but we need to treat Lucas as our number one suspect.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“We aren’t going to have you go to bed with Lucas Taylor. That isn’t going to happen under any circumstances. I’m going to interview Lucas as soon as possible and we’ll decide how to play it after I talk with him.”
Blair snuggled closer to him, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him on the lips. “What’s that for?” he said.
“I have to tell you something else,” she said.
“What?”
“Before the kidnapper arrived, I called Lucas?”
QT pulled away from her and said, “Why on earth did you do that?”
“Because I felt helpless in this whole situation and I wanted to know where I stand with the NSA.”
“And did he tell you?”
“He said I could return to my job whenever I was ready, as early as Monday.”
“Did he hit on you?”
“Not really. He offered to help me with any personal problems between you and me. I was adamant that I don’t want his help in my private life.”
“Was that it?”
“No, he told me you called him last night to ask him if I was spending the night with him and whether we previously had been involved in an affair.”
“You don’t believe I said that, do you?”
“No, of course not.”
“He also said you were still holding a grudge against me because of my indiscretion with Jeremy.”
