“What did they talk about?” Taylor asked, needing to get to the bottom of this.
“School mostly. Her birthday next weekend. And Reese talked a lot about the weekend she spent in Newport with you and Curt.”
“Anything else?”
The microwave beeped again, reminding them the food was done. This time Taylor didn’t ignore it. She removed the dish of pasta but left it on the counter, her appetite long gone.
“Reese talked about Jamie’s birthday party this Saturday.”
Big surprise there. She’d been talking about her friend’s upcoming party since she opened the invitation.
“You don’t believe Eliza?” Mom’s question sounded more like a statement.
“Do you?”
She slumped in her chair. “I want to. But no. I don’t either.”
Taylor rolled the information around, trying to pick out a clue or two. Nothing pointed to Eliza’s real reason for visiting again. Maybe she’d missed a hint or detail.
“How did she get here?” Public transportation in town was nonexistent. She didn’t know where Eliza called home these days, but she didn’t think it was within walking distance.
“Her boyfriend dropped her off, and came back later. He never came inside.” Mom actually rolled her eyes when she answered. If they weren’t discussing such a serious topic, Taylor would’ve laughed.
“Great.” They both knew they type of men Eliza spent her time with. “Can you describe the car?” Maybe the boyfriend had Eliza scouting out homes they could break into.
“An older car with four doors. It was a dark color. Either black or blue. The emblem was missing from the front.”
“Was the front passenger side door a different color?” She’d kept an eye out for the car she’d seen driving by weeks ago, but so far hadn’t seen it again.
“Funny you say that. The passenger door was white.”
Yep, sounded like Eliza and her boyfriend were scouting the neighborhood. Tomorrow she’d call the town police and give them a heads-up. It might not stop her sister, but there wasn’t much else she could do.
***
The end. Curt typed the words and rubbed his eyes. Done. He’d finished with more than enough time to do revisions before sending the manuscript off to his editor. More importantly, he’d finished before his and Taylor’s trip to Newport for Gray’s wedding, meaning he could enjoy himself without the stress of knowing what awaited him at home.
Rolling back his office chair he stretched his arms over his head, and his stomach rumbled. After leaving Taylor at her office, he met with Peter briefly and came straight home. His ass had been in his chair ever since. He’d only left it for bathroom breaks and to refill his water bottle. It had to be late. He’d turned the desk light on a long time ago.
Midnight. He checked his watch to confirm what the clock on his laptop said. Even later than he thought. Tomorrow, he’d pay for sitting in one place for so long. He saved the manuscript to a thumb drive before shutting down the computer, something he did every time he wrote. He’d learned the hard way the importance of not only backing up his computer once a month on an external hard drive, but also saving his story on a secondary device every time he added to it or made changes. Of course, since he’d started using the thumb drive he’d never needed it.
In an attempt to avoid distractions, he left his cell phone in his bedroom. His laptop in bed for the night, he stopped there first before heading down to raid the kitchen. With his mind no longer engaged, his stomach demanded he feed it, making sleep impossible.
A quick peek at the screen showed he’d received two messages: one from his mother regarding the wedding this weekend, and one from Taylor telling him she’d just gotten home and good night. She sent him a similar message whenever she worked late, at his request. While she’d never take any unnecessary risks, she worked in a field that required she carry a firearm every day. If Curt didn’t see her, he at least liked to know she was home safe and sound.
He checked the time on Taylor’s message. Ten o’clock. She’d expected a late night after the message from her coworker this afternoon, and she’d been right.
Had her subconscious been right, too? He hoped she would call him if something was wrong at home. She knew how much he’d come to care for both Priscilla and Reese. They’d come to be family to him. If they needed anything, he’d be there for them the same way he would for his own family. Tomorrow he’d make sure she knew that.
His refrigerator offered him few choices. An almost empty gallon of milk and some sliced turkey were the only two things inside. Between renovations and the book, shopping had taken a back seat this week. With the weekend a day away, a trip to the grocery store didn’t seem worth it. He wouldn’t be around to eat anyway. Tomorrow, when Taylor got home, they’d leave for Newport and three nights alone. He’d enjoyed their last trip down with Reese, but he was looking forward to having Taylor all to himself. Except for the wedding ceremony and reception Saturday, there’d be no distractions or responsibilities for either of them. And he planned to take full advantage of that.
Chapter Sixteen
I’m at a wedding with the president of the United States. Despite their suits and ties, the Secret Service agents stood out among the guests, reminding her just who was somewhere inside the mansion.
She watched the agent currently standing near a door into Cliff House. Sunglasses covered his eyes, but she suspected he took in everything around him, making sure the president remained safe while attending his nephew’s wedding. She would never want the agent’s job. She preferred knowing who the bad guys were and being on the offensive, rather than having them surprise her. Another agent, this one a woman, approached the one Taylor watched. They exchanged a few words then the female agent entered the mansion, a building she’d only got a brief look at inside when they first arrived. As she expected, Cliff House was as extravagant and grand as the Newport mansions open to the public for tours.
While inside, she had met a few more of Curt’s cousins, including the president’s daughters, Callie and Sara, and their husbands. Honestly, neither woman had needed introductions. She would’ve recognized both women and their spouses anywhere. But that had been well over an hour ago, long before many of the other guests arrived.
Taylor felt his presence before she heard his voice. She always did. Whenever he was near, the air around her changed. Her body picked up on his proximity. Taylor couldn’t explain it.
“Sorry I was gone so long.”
“I didn’t even realize you’d left.”
Curt touched her back and slowly caressed the skin exposed by the dress. “Is that so?” He left a trail of goose bumps behind. “Guess I need to work harder tonight when we get home, so you don’t forget about me so easily in the future.”
She thought about how hard he’d worked this morning after waking her up. Liquid heat exploded in her stomach. If he worked much harder, she’d be dead. But she would certainly die happy and with a smile on her face.
“I bumped into Derek on my way back. He invited us out on his boat tomorrow afternoon.”
Taylor pulled her thoughts out of Curt’s bedroom and back to their conversation. A safer place for them, considering the number of people gathered around them. “What did you tell him?” She’d gone on a cruise once, but otherwise she’d never stepped foot on anything bigger than a kayak. A day out on the open ocean sounded fun.
“Some other time. It’s only June. We’ve got all summer, and Derek and Brooklyn go out all the time. I think my cousin would live at sea if he could.”
His cousin was Derek Sherbrooke. The man never needed to step foot in a courtroom and represent a client again. Like all of Curt’s relatives, he had more money than he’d ever need. Oddly, none of them acted that way. At least none of the family members she’d met so far did.
“It would make getting a pizza delivered difficult,” Taylor said, rather than what she’d really been thinking. They never discussed money, and
she avoided the topic of his family tree.
“That’s not the only downside, trust me. I spent two weeks out on a boat with Derek a few summers ago. Two of the longest weeks of my life.”
Yeah, not being able to get a pizza did sound insignificant compared to the difficulties she imagined living at sea could create.
She spotted Jake walking toward them before Curt did. She’d guessed he was around somewhere, but this was the first time she’d seen him today. “I think your cousin is looking for you.” Taylor touched his arm while she spoke, and he followed her gaze.
“I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Nana wants the photographer to do a picture of all the grandchildren together before the wedding,” Jake said after greeting them. “Uncle Mark sent me to round up you and Scott. Everyone else is already in the library.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Curt, does it look like I’m kidding?” The first time she met Jake, she noticed he had a sense of humor. Right now, though, he sounded completely serious. She didn’t think he was pulling Curt’s leg.
“Aren’t we all a bit old for family pictures?”
“Nana’s almost ninety. Do you really think she cares how old we are?” Jake asked.
She’d met Curt’s grandmother when they first arrived. The woman didn’t look or act like any ninety-year-old women she knew.
“She said the one she’s got is too old. And since everyone’s here today, including your brother, she wants a new one. The sooner we go, the sooner it’ll be over,” Jake explained before Curt protested more.
Holding in her laughter was impossible. Listening to the two grown men complain as they walked across the lawn reminded her of Reese’s response when told to clean her room or put away her laundry. “Think of it like this: you’ll be making your nana very happy.”
Her comment earned her a dirty look from both men.
“I see Scott with Aunt Marilyn. I’ll grab him and meet you inside,” Jake said before leaving them.
From the doorway, she watched the photographer position everyone before stepping back and surveying the group. Taylor thought it looked perfect. Evidently the photographer disagreed, because she directed Curt and Scott to swap places then asked Curt’s sister to turn more to the right.
“No. No. Gray should stand between Derek and Trent,” Theresa Sherbrooke, Curt’s grandmother, told the photographer. Just one of half a dozen suggestions she’d given since they gathered together in the library.
Before she lost it and disturbed everyone with her laughter, Taylor moved into the hallway. She was quickly learning Curt’s grandmother was a force all her own, as well as a woman with the love and respect of her entire family.
An unexpected ring sounded from her purse. She’d brought her cell along in case an emergency came up at home. She never actually expected to hear it ring today, or even this weekend. Taylor took several more steps away from the library door before pulling it out.
Mom. The simple name stared back at Taylor as a sudden coldness descended over her, sinking into her very core. She leaned against the wall and swallowed. Mom knew her plans for today. She’d never call unless an emergency had come up at home. “What’s wrong?” she demanded, skipping a polite hello.
“Reese is missing.” Mom said the words Taylor prayed she’d never hear. “Your sister took her.”
Fear welled up inside her chest and choked her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get enough air into her lungs. Her heart hammered against her chest, threatening to break through her rib cage. This can’t be happening.
Get it together, Taylor commanded. She needed a clear head. Without one, she’d be of no help to Reese or Mom.
“Eliza took Reese? When? How?”
“This afternoon, from the birthday party.” Mom confirmed Taylor’s worst nightmare.
“Did you call the police?” It didn’t matter if Eliza was Reese’s biological mother or not. If she’d taken Reese without permission, the police needed to be involved.
“They’re with me now.” Mom’s voice quivered.
She wanted every detail, but first she needed a way home. “Let me find a way home and I’ll call you back. If anything changes before you hear from me, call right away.”
Asking Curt to leave his cousin’s wedding was out, which left her with two options: borrow Curt’s convertible, or use Rent-A-Ride. She’d rather drive herself, but understood Curt not wanting her to borrow a car that cost more than some homes.
With the family photo done, many of Curt’s cousins had left the library, including those in the wedding party. She’d lost track of time, but the ceremony must start soon. She didn’t pause before walking inside. Ignoring all the manners Mom drilled into her over the years, Taylor interrupted Jake, who stood talking with Curt.
“I need to go. If you don’t want me to borrow your car, I understand. But I wanted you to know I left.” She pulled up Rent-A-Ride’s app on her phone and turned away. Time wasn’t on her side. She needed to arrange a ride and get on the road. Her family needed her.
“Wait. Hold on.” His fingers closed around her wrist. “What happened?” he asked, his voice calm and concerned at the same time.
She looked up from her phone long enough to answer. “Mom called. Eliza took Reese. I need to get home.” Taylor kept her voice low. Everyone in the library, including Jake, didn’t need to know Eliza kidnapped Reese.
“Let’s go. I’ll drive.” He glanced back at Jake, who looked curious, but she couldn’t tell if he’d overhead her or not. “Tell Gray I’m sorry. We’ve got an emergency and need to leave.”
Jake nodded, a solemn expression across his face. “Will do. Call if we can help.”
Taking her hand, Curt led her down several halls and out a side door in silence.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked before getting into his car. “This is your cousin’s wedding.” She’d seen firsthand how close he was to his family. She hated being the reason he was about to miss it.
Usually, he opened her door and closed it once she got inside. Not now. Instead, he left her standing there and walked around to the other side. “Jake will let Gray know what happened. He’ll understand. Get in.”
Curt started the car before she closed her door. He had them off the estate and on the road moments later.
Summer weekends always drew crowds to the area. Today was no different. While Curt navigated the busy streets, she called Mom back for an update and more details.
The muscles in his forearms quivered, and he relaxed the death grip on the steering wheel. Next to him, Taylor remained on the phone. So far much of the conversation was one-sided, so he knew little more than what Taylor had told him before they left. Taylor’s sister had kidnapped her own daughter. What kind of a sick person did that?
“If she calls or brings Reese home, call me.” Taylor put the phone down and rubbed both hands down her face.
“What happened?” Priscilla might allow her eldest daughter into her home, but she’d never leave Eliza alone with Reese.
Taylor leaned her head against the seat, her eyes closed. “Reese went to a friend’s birthday party today. Reese has gone to parties at this pottery studio before. The area used for parties isn’t very big, so they encourage parents to drop kids off and come back. That’s what Mom did.” She looked across at him. “Jamie and her family moved to town this year, so Jamie’s mom didn’t know Eliza isn’t in Reese’s life. She told Mom Eliza showed up and said she was picking Reese up because Mom had an emergency. Evidently, Reese called Eliza by name and seemed okay about leaving with her. Jamie’s mom had no reason to think Reese couldn’t leave with Eliza.”
“Christ. How’d Eliza know she was there?”
“When Eliza came over Thursday, Reese told her all about the party she was going to this weekend. You know how she talks. Mom didn’t think it was a big deal, so she didn’t try to stop her.”
Who would? They’d called the police, and he assumed an Amber Alert had
been issued. But situations like this called for all the manpower possible. Curt handed Taylor his cell phone. “Go into my contacts and bring up Eric Coleman for me.” He prayed they got home and learned the police had found both Reese and Eliza, but he didn’t plan to wait and see if it happened.
“Uh, okay. Why?” She scrolled through his list of numbers. “Who’s Eric Coleman?”
“The director of Elite Force Security.”
“And what’s Elite Force Security?”
Talk about a loaded question. “Originally, it was a firm that provided private security to anyone who hired them. My family has used them many times in the past. Over time they’ve branched out into other areas. They often handle high-profile kidnapping situations. The firm only employs the best. If the police can’t find them, Elite Force will.”
Taylor passed the cell phone back to him. He pressed the green icon on the screen and waited for Eric Coleman, the firm’s director, to answer.
The call was short, and after, they both remained silent, lost in their own thoughts for the rest of the long trip.
When Curt pulled in, a police cruiser and two other vehicles were parked behind Taylor’s and Priscilla’s cars. Since Taylor received no phone calls on the drive, he knew none of them had brought Reese home.
They’ll find her. Thinking about Reese alone with Taylor’s sister scared the hell out of him, and he wasn’t even related to her. He could only imagine what it did to Taylor and Priscilla.
“Mr. McIntyre is here.” Taylor opened the door before he shifted the car into park. “He’s chief of police in town. He and Dad joined the force together. He probably came over to check on Mom.”
Explained who one car belonged to anyway. Curt followed her inside the house.
An older gentleman dressed for a day on a golf course stood behind Priscilla, his hands on her shoulders. Two FBI agents, their badges and firearms visible, sat at the kitchen table. One had a phone to his ear while the other had a laptop open. A uniformed officer completed the gathering in the kitchen.
The Billionaire Next Door (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 10) Page 17