GRIPPED (Romance Mystery & Suspense Box Set)

by Abbott, Alex

  “What did you do to my sister?” Justin’s face was a mere two inches from Sam’s.

  “I didn’t do anything,” Sam pleaded.

  “Justin stop!” Ginger yelled as she grabbed Justin’s arm in an effort to pull him away.

  “Then why does that hammer have blood on the handle?” Justin continued to yell inches from Sam’s face, pulling his collar even tighter.

  “It’s my blood!” Sam exclaimed. Justin loosened his grip just enough for Sam to wrest himself away from his grasp.

  “I cut my arm while working on this house--see!” Sam held out his arm and rolled up the sleeve to show a large bandage. A piece of plaster hit my arm while I was pounding it from the walls. The blood ran down my arm onto the hammer’s handle. I just didn’t have a chance to wipe it off yet.”

  Justin looked at Sam unbelievingly. “Why did you keep calling my sister when she didn’t want to go out with you?”

  “I only called twice more after our last date. Please,” Sam said to Ginger. “I don’t know what you think I’ve done, but I didn’t hurt Amy. I don’t know where she is.”

  Justin grabbed Sam by the collar again. “Don’t you talk to her--you talk to me, got it?!”

  “Justin please,” Ginger pleaded. “Let’s just get out of here. I really don’t think he knows where she is.”

  “Why don’t you go talk to her boss,” Sam exclaimed. “That’s who she was seeing when we were dating.”

  Justin and Ginger stood looking at him. “What did you just say?”

  “Her boss, MacGregor I think his name is. She told me she was seeing a guy named Patrick MacGregor. She didn’t tell me it was her boss, but I did some digging around and found out it was.”

  “Why were you digging around?” Justin was closing in on Sam again, who backed up a couple of feet.

  “It was stupid I know. I just wanted to see who she left me for.”

  “I thought you only had two dates,” Ginger said becoming more curious by the moment.

  “Well, yes we did.”

  “Why are you so interested in her life after only two dates?” Ginger asked.

  Sam shook his head. “You’re confusing me! Listen, I don’t know what’s happened to her, I really don’t. It’s her boss you need to talk to.”

  Ginger turned to Justin and said, “I really don’t think he knows. Let’s get out of here.”

  Justin knew she was right. “Alright fine. But don’t be making any quick trips out of town. My club will be watching you.”

  Sam nodded his head. Justin and Ginger turned and walked out the front door. When they got in the SUV Justin said, “Something about that guy isn’t right.”

  “I agree, but I don’t think he was lying about Amy. He’s odd for sure, but I don’t think he’s the type to take her against her will.”

  “What about the weird stuff he was saying? Like they were in some kind of relationship after two dates.”

  “I think it’s all in his head Justin. What bothers me more is what he said about MacGregor. Why didn’t he tell us that when we talked to him?”

  “Yeah, I know. That is strange.”

  “Unless you can’t date co-workers. Maybe they were keeping it under wraps because of their jobs.”

  “Possibly,” Justin said rubbing his temples. “This is all making my head hurt.”

  “Let’s stop by my place,” Ginger suggested. “I’ll make us some tea and you can take some aspirin.”

  “Sounds like a good idea. I need to decompress.”

  Ginger’s reasoning for going back to her condo was twofold. She wanted Justin to calm down, but she was also shaken by his outburst. On the one hand she understood. He’s on the edge regarding his sister’s whereabouts and his father is ill and the stress will end up killing him. But on the other hand, the violent outburst made her think twice. Maybe this is how he normally reacts when things go awry. Ginger didn’t want to think that of him though. Yet her heart and head were in an argument. Intuition and logic battled it out as she went back and forth in her mind over what just happened at Sam’s house. She decided that stopping by her condo and allowing them both to unwind would better help her evaluate the situation.

  Ginger filled the tea kettle with water and set it on the stove to boil. Justin took off his jacket and slumped onto the couch. Ginger brought him two aspirin and a glass of water.

  “Thanks babe,” he said and downed the pills.

  He continued to rub his head and Ginger told him to put his head in her lap and she would massage his temples. He closed his eyes and she thought how boyish he looked with a strand of his brown hair hanging against his forehead.

  “That feels wonderful,” he whispered.

  “You just need to relax Justin. I know it’s hard, but you need to.”

  “I know. I’m sorry you saw me blow my cool, I really am. That guy just creeped me out and then when I saw that blood---well I just lost it.”

  “He creeped me out too,” Ginger replied as she continued to massage his temples.

  Suddenly he opened his eyes and looked deeply into Ginger’s. He brought his hand up behind her head and pulled it gently toward him. He kissed her softly then eagerly. Ginger loved the feeling of his tender lips on hers. She immediately felt a burning in her chest, that longing she felt the night before to have this man take her. Their kisses became more fervent. The back of Justin’s hand snuck up to the collar of Ginger’s shirt and proceeded to delve deep to fondle a breast through her bra. Ginger moaned inwardly as his touch lit a fire that was desperate to be lit and fanned. She knew it was too soon, but Ginger couldn’t help how this man made her feel. At the moment, neither one thought of Amy, Big Red, Sam Pennington or Aaron. It was just the two of them alone on an island giving themselves to each other. And then the teapot started to whistle and they were brought back to harsh reality.

  *****

  Lily sat down at the table with Big Red. He didn’t acknowledge her, but kept staring out the window towards the road.

  “Red, you have to eat something. I know you don’t want to, but you do. We’re all worried about you and that’s taking our focus off Amy.”

  Lily knew she was delivering a guilt trip on Red, but she couldn’t help it. Sometimes extreme methods are needed in order to get the result you want.

  Red turned and looked at Lily. “Don’t focus on me. Just find Amy.”

  “We are trying Red, but the focus keeps shifting to you since you’re not taking care of yourself. You need to keep up your strength, especially during these chemo treatments. Let me fix you a sandwich.”

  Red let out a sigh and said, “Okay--fix me a ham and cheese sandwich.”

  “How about a big glass of sweet tea to go along with it.”

  “That’s fine Lily.” As Lily stood up to walk to the kitchen Red said, “Thanks for busting my balls girl.”

  Lily smiled and said, “Anytime.”

  Connor walked into the clubhouse and met Lily in the kitchen as she made Red’s sandwich.

  “I finally got Red to let me make him a sandwich,” Lily said as she smeared mayo on the top bun.

  “Oh that’s good. He needs to keep his strength up. Where’s Aaron?”

  “He’s in the office playing a game on the laptop. It’s keeping his attention which is good.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Where have you been?”

  “I went and talked to some of Amy’s neighbors to see if they saw anything suspicious the other morning.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Lily said as she poured Red’s iced tea into a tall glass. “Did you find out anything?”

  “No. Everyone leaves for work early and the only woman that was around said she was sick in bed that morning.”

  “Crap.” Lily sat the pitcher of tea down as tears streamed down her face.

  Connor walked over and put his arms around her.

  “I hate that me and Amy argued during our last conversation,” Lily said wiping the tears from her face. “I just
wanted her to be my maid of honor and she was backing out. I shouldn’t have been so mad at her, but I was under so much pressure trying to get things organized. Now it seems so petty.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up over this,” Connor said holding her tight. “Nothing is your fault.”

  “Okay, well I need to get this sandwich and tea out to Red before he changes his mind about eating.” Lily wiped her face with a hand towel and grabbed the tray with Red’s lunch. Connor grabbed her by the arm and said, “I will always protect you--you know that right?”

  “Of course I do.”

  He watched her as she walked out of the kitchen with the tray of food. Yes Connor would do anything to protect Lily.

  *****

  After drinking their tea and waiting for the aspirin to take effect, Justin’s headache released its grasp. He wanted to know more about Ginger and she explained how her extended family lived far away and she really didn’t know any of them. Justin felt bad for Ginger. He not only had his father and sister, but also the WWMC, which was just like family. He didn’t know how she had made it this far without that kind of support. He could see how strong she was, not only because she was forced to be when her parents were killed, but also from what they instilled in her during her growing up years. Her independence stemmed from that. He hoped someday he could encourage his own children to be just as ambitious and independent as Ginger.

  Ginger was also learning more about Justin as well. His tight knit motorcycle club along with the love and devotion he demonstrated towards his father, sister and nephew was something Ginger longed for in her own life. Yes she was strong and self-sufficient, but that only carries you so far. Everyone needs someone to lean on during dark times and Ginger had been through several. None as bad as when her parents died in that awful car accident, but when her beloved 15 year old cat died or when a friend betrayed her, she could have used a support system to see her through those dark days. A support system and the love of a good man. It always seemed to slip through her fingers, until now.

  As much as Ginger wanted to open herself up to love, she was also afraid. Afraid of being burned like so many times in the past. But she was drawn to this man with the dark brown hair, which he slicked back with his hands only to have stubborn wisps hang down. It was this charm against the backdrop of a gruff and tuff biker aficionado that pulled Ginger into his orbit. She hoped with everything in her being that he was the one for her and that this wasn’t another disaster waiting to happen.

  Once the headache completely dissipated, he decided another visit to Amy’s boss was in order. After what happened at Sam Pennington’s home, Ginger decided she should accompany him to ensure he kept his cool.

  When they entered the lobby the receptionist recognized them.

  “If you’re here to see Mr. MacGregor I’m afraid he’s out for a meeting.”

  “Can we wait for him?” Ginger asked.

  “Yes. He shouldn’t be much longer. There’s a small waiting area right outside his office if you’d like to wait there.”

  “That would be great.”

  When Justin and Ginger exited the elevator they noticed Macgregor’s office door was open. Ginger headed towards the several chairs in the waiting area, but Justin instead walked into the office.

  “Justin, what are you doing?”

  “I’m going to look around. See what else he’s hiding.”

  Ginger got up and stood in the doorway. “I really don’t think we should do that. He could come off the elevator at any moment.”

  “You keep a look out then.”

  “Well it won’t be much of a warning since the elevator is only a few feet away,” Ginger whispered.

  “Why are you whispering?”

  “Hell if I know! Alright we might as well go down together.” With that Ginger stepped into the office and looked around.

  It was definitely a man’s office with dark paneling, leather furniture and a cherry wood desk. It was high end stuff which meant MacGregor likely made a lot more money than they’d ever see in a lifetime.

  Ginger noticed several photo frames on the desk. Two of them were of a teenaged boy and an older girl. Both had dark brown hair, likely brother and sister. They were wearing leis and appeared as if they’d just gotten off a plane at the Oahu airport. The other picture was of MacGregor and a striking woman who looked much like the children in the other photographs. So he had a wife. This was getting more interesting by the minute.

  “Do you see these pictures,” Ginger said as she pointed to the one of MacGregor and the woman.

  “Is that his wife?” Justin picked up the photo for a closer look.

  “Sure looks like it. You wouldn’t have a picture of your divorced wife on your desk.”

  “What are you doing in here?”

  Ginger and Justin both jumped.

  MacGregor stood in the doorway of his office with a briefcase in hand. “The receptionist told me you were up here but I thought you’d be in the waiting area not snooping around my office.” MacGregor walked into his office and grabbed the framed photo out of Justin’s hand.

  “Well maybe you can tell me about dating my sister. You seem to have omitted that vital piece of information,” Justin said as he moved closer to MacGregor.

  Ginger had seen this move before so she broke in between them.

  “Mr. MacGregor, we’ve heard that you were seeing Amy, is this true?”

  MacGregor looked down at Ginger then up at Justin. He walked over to his office chair and sat down. He motioned towards the photos on his desk and said, “As you can see I’m married with children.”

  “Yes, we saw that,” Ginger replied.

  “Well, as in many marriages, mine is in name only. My children are almost grown. One is heading off to college this September and the boy will be in three years. We decided to stay together until they are both out of the house. Of course this makes for a dreary existence. When Amy came here to work I never thought that way about her, but as my marriage crumbled she became my rock, someone I could talk to in confidence about my situation. We started out as good friends and then it became more.” MacGregor massaged his forehead and then looked up at them.

  “I’m devastated by her disappearance but I didn’t feel I could let on. I mean I’m her employer. I had to display a certain distance to the situation, for my children’s sake.”

  “But you could have told us. We wouldn’t have told anyone, but now, hearing it like we did through the grapevine, it makes you look suspicious,” Ginger said. Justin looked at her with even more respect than he had before. She was taking charge and at the same time keeping his temper in check.

  “Yes, I know it must look bad, but believe me when I tell you, I would never hurt Amy. I love her. If there is anything I can do to help find her I will do it, but please, for my children’s sake, I don’t want our affair to come out.”

  Justin didn’t like MacGregor. It seemed he was too interested in his own fate than Amy’s. While he said he loved her, Justin wasn’t buying it. More like using her. He could no longer get his rocks off with his own wife so he turned to his secretary. Justin had a jaded way of looking at some people, and MacGregor fit that mold.

  Justin leaned over the desk and faced MacGregor. “I don’t care about you or your children MacGregor. All I care about is getting my sister back unharmed.”

  “Of course you do,” MacGregor stammered. “I want to help any way I can.”

  “As long as your kids don’t find out you’ve been screwing the secretary right.”

  “Justin!” Ginger exclaimed.

  “Okay fine. If it comes out it won’t be from me. But you be sure and tell the cops or I will,” Justin said as he turned to walk out the door.

  Ginger gave MacGregor a reproachful look and walked out behind Justin. When they got out of earshot Justin stopped and turned to Ginger and said, “I don’t trust him.”

  “I’m not sure I do either. There’s something slimy about him, but I’m n
ot sure he’s involved in Amy’s disappearance.”

  As they reached the elevators Justin said, “I’m keeping him on my radar. I’ll send a couple of prospects to keep an eye on him and Pennington.”

  *****

  When Justin and Ginger walked into the clubhouse they were happy to see Red had eaten two sandwiches and even a slice of warmed up pizza. Lily was making a huge pot of chili in the kitchen for the guys when they got back from posting flyers. Ginger excused herself to help Lily. Aaron finally tore himself away from the computer game and joined Red at the table. Other club members and old ladies filed in as the day wore on. Red felt better since he’d eaten something and was beginning to feel that good news was on the way. He was sure someone would recognize Amy from the flyers. Maybe she hit her head and lost her memory and was in a hospital recuperating. It was the thought Red hung onto. It had to be the case. He couldn’t lose his only girl.

  As the rest of the club members filed in and everyone served themselves a steaming bowl of chili, the atmosphere was more lighthearted than it had been the last few days. Like Red, the club hoped the flyers would stroke someone’s memory. Maybe someone saw something and would go to the police or to the club with information. The flyer’s listed both the police department number and the club’s number. Many people who did business with the auto body shop were also helping by delivering the news of Amy’s disappearance through social media.

  A few laughs were heard around the clubhouse. It was fine with Justin and he was glad to hear it. It gave him hope. Unfortunately that hope would be dashed in a few hours.

  *****

  The hunter smelled the acrid odor as he trampled through the brush to his usual spot in the state forestry. He normally came in the morning, but he had errands to take care of first. He knew morning and dusk were the best times to hunt, but he figured he’d come out anyway, relishing the smell of the outdoors and the quiet essence of the forestry. He usually hunted deer, but that was out of season. Today he was hunting rabbit, but not having much luck.

  The wind had picked up and an annoying scent cascaded down the holler towards him. It smelled like something burnt or burning. Likely some idiot left a fire burning, he thought.