The Chauffeur

  “You hired him to put the knife in April’s door?” She nods, and I continue. “How did he know the layout of the Rowe estate?”

  “Have you ever heard of Google Earth? Your property is on the internet, Jason. I printed it out and told him about the fence line and how to gain access. It was easy, really,” she gloats. When I see my mother shift in her seat, I know she’s getting pissed.

  “Who ran April down while she was out jogging?” I want to get to the crux of this whole thing, but I know my father wants everything from the beginning.

  “That was Joe, too. Sam told me that April jogs every morning, and I had Joe scope her out to learn her pattern. It was only supposed to scare her into leaving you. I wanted you to hurt,” she admits.

  “The plane?”

  “Joe, as well. He did an excellent job of getting inside MileHigh. You need to beef up your security, Jason. Once he damaged the seal, he was to disappear until I needed him again. Your family was scheduled to be on that plane, but instead, you sent Rainbow Bright.”

  My mother jumps out of her seat and reaches for Kate, but my father pulls her back just in time.

  “You set out to harm my family and me? You killed five innocent people. All because of a fucking building?” my mother shouts at her.

  “It was to free my mom and me from the cartel …” she pauses, looking down at her hands.

  “When you bought it, you messed everything up, Jason. Now that James has April, you’ll never get her back. Don’t you see what you’ve done? He’s going to kill her.”

  Hearing her say that out loud seizes my heart. I feel my stomach turn, and suddenly I feel sick. Sick of looking at her and sick knowing they plan to take April and my baby away from me.

  Chapter 26

  ~Jason~

  Kathryn sings like a canary. Unfortunately, she can’t tell us much that we don’t already know.

  “Jason,” my father says as he rushes into the office, winded. “Your mother spoke with the Sullivan’s; you know, who own the yacht with the Love Boat horn? We now have a list of their friends and the locations.”

  The first wave of excitement and relief I have felt in days almost bowls me over, and I eagerly anticipate the information my father’s about to share. As soon as he turns out the lights, he takes a seat behind his desk, presses a few buttons on his computer panel, and a large map of the Glen Arbor area appears on the screen. Then, using the satellite feed, he narrows in on the image to indicate which residences Mr. Sullivan customarily greets by playing his Love Boat tune.

  “I gave Nicole the information; she should have the list of appropriate hiding places narrowed down for us shortly,” he says. “We’re getting close to her Jason, have faith. We’ll find her safe and sound.”

  I lean on my elbows as they rest on my legs and drop my head between my shoulders. “I know. I’m trying not to lose my shit. I just want to tear something up and destroy everything in my path, I’m that angry.” I look up at him. “Whatever you do, don’t let me kill him. I want to see my child grow up.”

  “We won’t let you commit murder. He’s not worth it.” I’m startled when the usually silent desk phone rings. It never rings.

  “Rowe,” my father answers. “Nicole, hold on a minute,” he says, placing the call on speaker. “Okay, I have Jason here with me, and you’re on speaker, go ahead.”

  “Dad, I found it! I found the connection,” she nearly screams into the phone. “Carolyn L. Good and C. L. Devereaux are one and the same. Good was her maiden name, and in 1978, she married Albert James; the following year giving birth to a son, James Albert. She died in 2007, three years after her husband, leaving everything to James.”

  “Holy shit, Nicole, fantastic work—”

  “Wait, there’s more,” she interrupts. “Take a guess who found the address of a house left to JAD Holdings?”

  I leap to my feet. “If you tell me that house is located at the Cove, I’ll buy you that BMW you’ve been wanting, Nicole!”

  “Order it in midnight black, please.” I let out a yell so loud my mother comes running in.

  “What is it?”

  “Nicole found the house that James owns at the Cove. April’s there, I know it!” I take my mother into a fierce hug. “When can we go?” I ask my father.

  “Now, just wait, Son. It’s not that easy. We need to devise an operational plan, and execute the takedown in a safe and efficient manner.” Of course, he’s right. He’s always right. We need to follow procedure. However, the anticipation makes me want to jump in my car and drive directly to the Cove.

  “Why don’t we deliver a package to the address?” Mother interjects. “We can have someone attired as a delivery man and have the Alpha Team inside the truck, ready to execute the plan. We used the same method in 2006 for the Henderson kidnapping, remember?”

  I nod enthusiastically. “It’s such a cheesy movie plan, but one that’s already proven effective. We could re-use the operational plan from that takedown.”

  “We need as many armed agents as are available,” my father muses. “The one we send to the door won’t be carrying a weapon. We can’t spare a team member to pose as a delivery person. Any suggestions?”

  “Adam will do it!” Nicole says. My head jerks toward the phone. I completely forgot she was still there.

  “No, that won’t be possible,” Dad says, rubbing his jaw in concentration. “It’s likely that Adam visited April at the garage over the six years she worked there, and we can’t take the risk that he’ll be recognized.”

  I sit back to think who would be willing and able to pull this off? When I jump up from my seat, my parents look at me, waiting for my idea.

  “Paul. He told me he wanted to assist in any way possible to get revenge for Roger’s death. I know he’ll do it.” As soon as I say the words, I pull out my cell phone and call him.

  “Paul, it’s Jason.”

  “Hey, Jason. I hope you’re calling me with good news about April.”

  “Well yes and no. Yes, because we’re closer to her, but no, we have not rescued her yet. We have a short window, so I’ll make this quick. We know where she’s being held, and have devised a plan to get inside. What we need is someone to approach the residence and appear to be UPS delivery man—”

  “I’ll do it,” he says right away. “Do I need to get a uniform? Where would I get it?”

  “We’ll take care of all that for you. I’ll call you back with the details, so you need to be available to respond quickly, all right?” I ask, pacing the floor.

  “I’ll be here ready when you are. Thanks for letting me help, Jason. It’s important to me.”

  “No, thank you, Paul. I’ll call you back when the details have been worked out.” As soon as I end the call, my cell phone rings and ‘Unknown’ appears on the screen, just as it did when James called with the ransom instructions.

  “Dad, I think it’s James,” I say, holding my phone up for him to see. As soon as my father and mother are standing next to me, I answer.

  “Jason Rowe.”

  “Hello, Jason,” the disguised voice says. “Do you have the money together yet?”

  “We’re still working on it,” I lie. “We’re having trouble transferring the last five million to our account. It would be nice if you would allow us another day. And James, you can do away with the ridiculous voice changer. We know who you are. Kate told us everything.”

  “Yeah, I figured she wouldn’t keep her mouth shut once I cut her and her mother out of the deal. That’s why I moved your baby mama out of the way.”

  Oh, God, he knows!

  “But, there’s a new deal on the table. It appears I have in my possession not only your precious girlfriend but the Rowe Dynasty’s first grandchild. Now, that’s a whole new ballgame. It kind of changes everything, don’t you think?”

  I look at my father, and he closes his eyes, waiting to hear the new ransom terms.

  “I want an additional ten mil for the rug rat. No thirty
mil, no rug rat, and no girlfriend. One swift kick to her gut will take care of all of that for you.”

  “James, I swear on my life, if you lay one finger on her, I will kill you personally,” I hiss through the phone.

  “Oh, I’ve touched her all right. Her lovely, firm breasts are the best I’ve ever felt. The way her pert nipples react when I pinch them, and when she screams her pleasure, well, I’m sure you know what I mean. At least now I don’t have to worry about knocking her up whenever I fuck her.”

  That’s it. That’s all I can stand. I shove the phone at my father and run like a madman through the halls and out the secret exit to the grounds. I run through the trees, shouting for April as if she can hear me.

  Once my lungs begin to burn, and I can’t run any further, I drop to my knees and take my aggression out on the earth.

  “I am so sorry—so fucking sorry,” I cry into the dirt.

  It was there that my father finds me, weeping like a pussy rather than doing something productive.

  “Son?” he calls out as he approaches me. “Come on, boy. We need to get them, Jason—April and your baby.”

  Still on my hands and knees, I regain my breath and pull myself together. Rising from the damp ground, I brush the leaves off my clothes and follow him back into the building.

  “Are you all right?” he asks. I can only answer with a nod. “I know this is hard for you, but you need to keep your head. You won’t do April any good if you lose your shit, Son.”

  “I know … I know. I’m sorry. I just needed to get it out.”

  “We’ve been given two more days to raise the ransom, so I suggest we start assigning tasks to the team. The takedown will occur tomorrow. Call Paul so we can brief him. Your mother needs to secure a uniform and a truck as well. Let’s go get your girl,” he says, comforting me by placing his arm around my shoulder.

  ~.~

  The following morning, my father and I meet Paul at a secured location. Dad is in Sector mode, and Paul’s briefing begins immediately.

  “Okay, Paul, I need you to listen carefully to what part you play in this. Once you pull the delivery truck to the front door, leave the vehicle running; the noise from the engine will serve as a cover. Keep the freight door behind the driver’s seat closed. Then, pick up this box that’s addressed to James Devereaux, along with the delivery scanner, and approach the door. As soon as you ring the doorbell and someone answers, you hand them the package and ask for a signature.” Paul’s intently listening, absorbing everything that is said.

  “While the individual is signing, look past them into the house, then let us know if you see anyone else in the house. Place your hand behind your back and indicate with your fingers the number of people you see besides the one that answers the door. If none, make a fist. We’re aware that there’s a security system set in place, so try to distract the person at the door with chit chat about the lake area, or what a lovely home they have, or whatever, to allow Alpha Team to deploy from the back of the truck and surround the residence. As soon as you get the signature for the package, get in the truck. Do not look around. Pull away from the residence, go east approximately ten yards, and park the truck. Remain in the vehicle until someone comes for you. Are you clear on that? I don’t want any heroics, Paul.”

  Paul nods and my mother gives him his uniform. Surprisingly, he’s not the least bit nervous, even though we’re talking possible gunfire.

  “The estimated drive time is approximately five hours, Paul,” Dad says. “You’ll drive to Glen Arbor with Jason, Grace and me. The truck will be concealed inside an eighteen-wheeler to avoid detection, lest someone from UPS get suspicious seeing one of their vehicles being driven out of its district,” he explains, and then continues. “We’ll leave the house at eight o’clock in the morning. It would probably be best if you stayed in our home tonight. You’re more than welcome, and it will alleviate any delay in our departure.”

  “I agree,” Paul says with a half-grin. “I’d probably only sit at home spending nervous energy anyway, overthinking this whole thing.”

  My dad nods curtly. “I need to go over the operation plan and brief with the crew. Jason, why don’t you and Grace take Paul back to his car and I’ll meet you at home? Paul, be back at the house at six o’clock tonight for dinner. Grace will have one of our guest rooms prepared for you. I also have a document I need you to review and sign before we get started.”

  Taking the rest of the day off is a good idea because I could use a good workout.

  Once we arrive home, before fatigue sets in, I head to my room and change into a pair of swim shorts, and without even saying a word to Rita and Garrett, I run to the pool and dive in, swimming as many laps as my body will allow. When I can’t go any further, I get out of the pool to find a glass of orange juice and fresh fruit waiting for me. I glance up at the kitchen window that overlooks the sink and see a forlorn looking Rita watching me. I smile to let her know I’m not angry with her.

  Taking the juice and fruit tray with me, I head downstairs to the gym, entering through the garage rather than the house. I don’t like the way everyone’s been looking at me the past few days; like they pity me or something. April’s the one that needs their thoughts, not me. After beating the hell out of the punching bag, I run on the treadmill for few miles.

  ~.~

  At seven-thirty the next morning, I enter the dining room to laughter from my family. When I look at the brunt of their joviality, I can’t help but join them. There stands Paul in his brown uniform with a shirt so tight, I fear the buttons might pop off and hit me in the eye.

  “Paul, those shorts are a little snug, aren’t they?” I say, chuckling as he looks down at himself.

  “What’s wrong with them?” he asks, feigning ignorance that anyone can see the outline of his dick in the front of his shorts.

  “Nothing, let’s go.” I turn, shaking my head as my mother looks behind me to see what I’m laughing at. When her eyes land on Paul’s package, she blushes, turns around and walks outside with me.

  We finally hit the road for the long five-hour drive to Glen Arbor. In the car, Paul repeats his instructions until my father’s satisfied that he understands them perfectly. I get stuck in the backseat with Paul. I make it a point to stare out the window for those five hours lest I burst into laughter at the image of how his dick must be purple inside those tight shorts. I quickly shake that image out of my head and focus on the task at hand.

  Finally arriving in Glen Arbor, we meet up with the team at the designated location behind the town shopping center. The UPS truck has already been unloaded, and the Alpha Team of five agents that resemble Ninjas is ready to roll.

  “Here, Paul.” My father hands him a wireless earpiece. “Tuck this inside your ear so we can talk to you. Speak normally; we can hear you. Do you remember your instructions?” he asks as if he hasn’t heard Paul repeat them over and over on the ride to the Cove.

  “Yes, I have it memorized. Is it all right to be a bit nervous?” he asks.

  “Oh, yeah. I still get nervous, and I’ve done this too many times to count,” my father replies. “Just take a deep breath and act like you own the place.”

  With everyone loaded into the back of the UPS truck, Paul drives the two remaining blocks to James’ house and pulls into the circular driveway, just short of the front door.

  “Here goes nothing,” Paul says, picking up the package.

  I grin at the way Paul jumps from the van, just like all the drivers do, jogs up to the front door and rings the doorbell. He looks up at the sky whistling, and when no one answers, he rings the doorbell again.

  “Doesn’t look like anyone’s home,” he whispers. “Wait, the door is ajar; do you want me to go in?”

  “Yes. Yell and ask if anyone’s home before you enter,” my father instructs.

  “Hello? Anyone home?” Paul yells, getting no answers.

  “There’s no one here,” he whispers again. “I’m going in.”


  “Be careful,” I say, chewing my nail. Alpha Team is waiting for the signal to deploy when we hear Paul again.

  “Hello? UPS delivery. I need a signature!” Paul calls out again.

  “Hey guys, get in here!” We scramble out the truck and rush the front door, weapons at the ready.

  “In here,” he shouts, and we follow his voice. What we find are the unconscious bodies of James and Robin.

  “April?” I shout, running from room to room. “April!”

  Standing over James, I nudge him with my foot. “Where is she, asshole?”

  He’s out cold, and so is Robin.

  “Load these two in the truck for transport back to Sector. Leave them tied and don’t talk to them until I do,” my father instructs then joins the search for April. I begin to ransack the desk, looking for anything that might aid in finding her, slamming the drawer closed and moving on to another.

  My mother’s eyes grow huge when she finds a journal on top of the desk as if it’s been placed there intentionally. When she begins to read it, tears fall from her eyes. I stand behind her and read it as well.

  Today was a rough day. I think about Joe saying that they plan on killing me when they get the money. That’s pretty life affirming. To know that I may be dead in just a matter of a day or two is frightening. My baby might not even get a chance to live or grow inside me. I might not get to say goodbye to Jason, or my parents.

  Do they even know I’m gone yet?

  James hasn’t hit me again since I’ve kept my mouth shut. He broke my nose, and my eye is the deepest black, just as Joe said. It hurts to move my eye around in the socket.

  Robin pushed me because I wasn’t walking fast enough for her and I fell. I covered my stomach protectively, and she figured it out. She was furious, but James seemed to have dollar signs in his eyes.

  Joe is making sure I get food and water, but I think if it were up to Robin, I would starve. She’s taking her anger over the fact that Jason chose me to a new level, especially now she knows I am pregnant. She just can’t accept the fact that he didn’t want her. The display she puts on in front of me with James is nauseating. Like I care. I don’t even think she likes him.