Unbound: The Pentagon Group, Book 2

by Rosemary Rey

  When I entered, finding a few people in the room, I flashed at my own mother’s death many years ago. Matt stood behind me, bracing me upright by my arms. He may have thought I would faint. Ross motioned me over and I went straight to her side, standing beside him. I gave him a hug. I took a deep breath before looking at Alice. When I summoned the courage, my vision took in the frail, gaunt figure before me. It was apparent she was dying from her illness and the byproduct of the inability to eat or drink. She was essentially kept alive by an intravenous delivery of nutrients and pain killers. Knowing my mother’s suffering, it was time to let Alice go.

  I held her hand for a few moments, saying a silent prayer for her to pass peacefully and to continue to watch over us when she was on the other side. I leaned over her and gave her a kiss on her forehead, feeling the papery thin skin on my lips. I whispered, “I love you Alice. I will always love you as a mother and as a friend. I thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me. I will carry on your name in the business. I will make sure Liberty’s tradition and history carries on to the Pentagram Place. The Light Tower will be dedicated in your memory.” I rose up, wiping the tears from my eyes, dabbing my nose with the sleeve of my sweater. I turned to Matt and hugged him tightly. Sharing my sorrow with him was more bearable than if I were alone.

  I introduced Matt to Ross. Ross was understandably surprised I was married to a man I had just started dating. I bit my tongue from saying I learned a long time ago life was too short to wait for a socially acceptable timeline. After some time chatting with Ross, we decided to leave him to his wife and family and friends. I gave Ross one final hug. A last kiss to Alice, and we departed.

  Matt drove us back to his apartment to pick up a few items. He agreed to stay in my place for the week. Rejecting the discussion of what we were going to do about our living arrangements, we remained silent as we drove on in the dreary day. My wedding to Matt had been marred by the worst weekend of my life. All I could do was pray it wouldn’t get worse.

  “My sisters call us Hermanas Malditas, and I always thought it was because we were unlucky in love, but I’m not just unlucky in love. I’m just plain unlucky.” I said, looking out at the passing structures as we drove back to my place.

  “My life is fucked up.” I said to Matt. He looked at me and returned to look at the road. “Every time I think I’m okay, my life turns to shit. I can’t even enjoy us because of Brady and now, Alice. I don’t even know why you’re bothering with me. Come to think of it, you’re probably a little fucked up too for dealing with me.” Matt chuckled. “You laugh, but what you should really do, Matt, is run away. Run far, far away.” He gripped my hand.

  “That’s not happening . . . Ever!” He said gruffly.

  The rest of the afternoon was spent with us on the couch, my head lay on his lap as we watched mind numbing action films. We ordered Chinese takeout and went to bed early. I had a busy week at work. Midmorning on Monday, I was supposed to do a tour of Pentagram’s skeleton; the concrete roughing of the structure as it presently stood. I had to reassure Matt he needn’t take the day off to attend the tour with me.

  Other executives and architects were attending the tour. Jealousy over Nickel may have been the cause of his offer. After our bedtime routine, we went to bed. I set my alarm to get up early. Matt didn’t try to make love. I wasn’t in the mood to be intimate when I felt such loss. It was enough to have him beside me, holding me close to his strong body, feeling his warmth against me, and being lulled to sleep by the pace of his relaxed breath.

  *****

  My morning at Pentagon went as expected. Gill required details of the ceremony. I dared not reveal Brady’s manipulation of my life which led to Matt’s confrontation at the Pentagon board’s meeting. I had a couple of morning meetings with staff about the rest of the week. We wrapped the meeting and I was scheduled to take a tour of the construction site. I wore dark jeans because I didn’t want to ruin any of my pretty skirts or dresses. Gill gave me a large tote bag. When I peeked inside, a hard hat and steel toe boots were inside. I marveled at his efficiency and hugged him on my way toward the elevator.

  Josh at the front desk called Manny and waited outside with me for him to arrive. Before I departed, I thanked Josh for his efforts in taking care of me and I apologized for being too independent for my own good. He was surprised by my statement. I gave him a wink and he nodded. Manny drove me to the site and told me to call him as soon as I was done. He would pick me up right where he left me, in front of the entrance of the site. There were two large trailers, which served as offices inside of the gate. I agreed to call him.

  The team of observers went through the tour, led by the foreman of the project. Nickel walked with me and added extra bits of information he felt he needed to further explain. Everything was coming along as planned. The designers were working with the new architects for the newly designed waterpark in the Light Tower. I was excited to meet the team who came all the way from the West Coast to take the tour. They were excited by the project. They had many ideas for the style and colors to go with our mystical design. When we were done with the tour, Nickel led me toward the trailer to his office. He introduced me to the staff, and we walked into his space.

  “So tell me about the huge diamond on your finger.” He said. Instantly, I touched my ring with the opposing thumb, and remained silent for a beat too long. “I guess you got engaged this weekend . . . to, the doctor?”

  “Actually, we got married.” I could have blown him over with a feather. He was flabbergasted. When he didn’t say anything, I chimed in, “I know what you’re thinking. Sudden. Crazy. Unrealistic, but I’m tired of conforming to other people’s rules. I love him. He loves me. He’s a good man despite some mistakes he’s made. I’m not perfect either.”

  “Well, if you’re happy. I’m happy for you. I’m just sorry I didn’t get a chance to ask you out. I have to confess, I’d been pining for you for years, but you were married. I thought this was my chance.” He shrugged. I shook my head.

  “Nickel, you’ll find a woman who is much better for you. What about Jude? She’s a sweetheart. You two seemed to hit it off.”

  “I don’t know. I may have messed up.” He admitted. I rolled my eyes.

  “Oh, no. Please tell me she will still be my friend.” I asked.

  “We didn’t do anything, which may have been the problem. We talked all night. I took her home. She gave me her number. And I haven’t called.” He said guiltily.

  “Ugh, you men should not play by antiquated rules of the game. Give her a call. Ask her out. She’s beautiful, smart, and great at the real estate business, which you two have as a common interest. Don’t fail her or me.” I winked. “I have to get back to work for afternoon meetings. I will see you at the next meeting or tour.” We hugged. He congratulated me again. I said my ‘goodbyes’ to the staff as I made my way out of the trailer. I pulled out my cell phone to call Manny.

  I felt my phone being pulled out of my hand. I turned to see Eric standing next to me, holding my phone. I exhaled a sigh of relief at seeing him. Before confirming his presence, I thought I was being attacked.

  “Eric? How are you?”

  “Good. Do you need a ride back to the office?”

  “Yes, but I have a driver. If you give me back my phone, I’m just going to give him a call.”

  “I can drive you. Spare him from having to come all the way out here.” Eric responded.

  “No. He should be around. My phone, please.” I extended my hand. Eric put my work phone in his back pocket.”

  “I think we should talk as I drive you. You owe me that much.”

  “We can talk when we’re back in the office.” I countered, not wanting to spend any time alone with him. Eric grabbed my arm and tightened around my flesh.

  “Eric, what are you doing?” I asked, fear gripped me.

  “I need you to come with me, Perla. You’ll be okay, but I need you to come with me, please.” Not feeling like I ha
d much of a choice, I didn’t resist when Eric pulled me away from the entrance where I was to meet Manny. I had my other cell phone with me, but I didn’t want to alert Eric to my having one in my possession. Eric led me to a black SUV at the opposite end of the construction site. He opened the door for me to enter, and I slid in, sitting on the end of the bench seating. Eric entered and closed the door, sitting beside me. He wasn’t driving.

  I looked to the driver’s side. There was a clear partition. I flashed to the night I was held captive by the cab driver. I looked in the driver’s rear view mirror and stared into the eyes of my captor. I could never forget his deep set eyes with the thick eyebrows. His eyes curled upward at the corners. He was smiling at me in recognition or salutation, I couldn’t tell. I didn’t notice when Eric had put the seat belt on me. When the car started moving, I realized the man I trusted with protecting me and Matt by editing the sex tape had just conspired with my captor to kidnap me.

  FIFTEEN

  MATT

  While tending to my patient, checking on surgical sutures for a complete tear of the meniscus of a fifteen year old female soccer player, a knock on the door disturbed the discussion I was having with my teenaged patient and her father. We were done going over orders for continued PT and to visit in another three weeks. I left the room to find Annie standing beside the door.

  “What is it Annie?”

  “There are two men here to see you. They say it’s an emergency. One man said his name is Ken.” My heart sped up knowing Ken was here with another guard.

  “Where are they?”

  “Out in the waiting room.”

  “Bring them to my office, now.” I walked to my office, wanting to ensure privacy. All sorts of thoughts and possibilities coursed through my mind. I’d hoped the emergency was actually information about her captor.

  “Sir. We have a problem.” My fears were realized in that moment, nothing more had to be said to know Perla was no longer under their watch.

  “We believe Feather was taken from the construction site after her tour. She had a meeting with the VP of Operations, a Mr. Nickel Salter in his office. When she walked out of his office, she said goodbye to the staff and walked out with her phone in her hand. None of the office staff heard any screaming or struggle which means she went willingly or under duress because of a weapon. There were two sets of boot prints on the dirt. I confirmed Feather was wearing boots for the site visit. The other boots appear to be male because of size and width. The prints led around the site to an entrance for larger sized equipment. The prints stopped where large tire tracks commenced. We followed the tracks to the gate. Access to the entrance would require a passcode. We have people questioning the employees about breach in access. We are fingerprinting the site in hopes of identifying who had punched it last.

  When we walked through the closed gates, looking around for more clues, we found Feather’s cell phone. It had been tossed, as if from a window; not just dropped. We also have it for fingerprinting because we’re unsure if she was forced to abandon it or it was thrown by her captor. We did check the phone for her last phone call, and she was in the process of calling Manny to pick her up because his contact number was open. All she had to do was press to call him, but we believe she didn’t have a chance. We’re analyzing security video.” I paced around my office as Ken rattled off the information.

  “Do we have any idea where she is being taken?”

  “We have been interviewing all of your business partners.”

  “Based on what you told us about Saturday evening, we tried to communicate with Brady Clay . . .”

  “Tried?”

  “We were told by his personal assistant Mr. Clay took off in his airplane. He didn’t file a flight plan. He gave his assistant two destinations to give to the pilot. We believe he may have selected a flight plan once they were up in the air to avoid detection of their destination. Tracking his plane would be difficult without registering his plans.

  “Did he take his girlfriend with him?”

  “We’re investigating now. We’re not sure. There’s no sign of either of them at his apartment in the city. We’re checking his Belmont home now. We don’t think there is anyone there either.

  “Did you send anyone to the airport?”

  “Yes, sir. The plane had already taken off. We asked how many cars pulled into the hangar, and they claimed it was just Brady’s. We forced them to give us their security tapes and we have someone reviewing it now.”

  I tried to remain calm, thinking how I could help with the investigation. Panicking wouldn’t help get Perla back. “Has anyone called his mother or his brothers? Maybe he’s told them where he’s going?” I offered.

  “His assistant reluctantly gave us their number and addresses after we told him he could be implicated in a kidnapping. We have people going over to each of his two brothers and his mother’s home.” I nodded. My thoughts were jumbled trying to sift through steps they may have missed.

  “What about her phone?”

  “We’ve asked the phone company to give us coordinates. It takes them a while to do, sir. There are many concerns with that option. The phone has to be on, so if the battery is dying or it’s off, it will be a problem to determine her actual geo-location.”

  I rubbed my face, closing my eyes, and trying desperately not to scream. With an even voice, despite the quivering I felt inside my body, I said, “So what you’re saying is, my wife, whom I entrusted a team of professional bodyguards, to which I pay really good money to, allowed her to be taken from a busy construction site in broad daylight?” My voice ended gruffly.

  “Sir. We had no indication she was in danger after the first incident.”

  “But Brady was confronted on Saturday and has an ax to grind. He may be taking her to God knows where. I want you to interview and determine all his associates. Maybe there’s someone out of my Pentagon circle who helped with her kidnapping. Gill, her assistant can give you a list of her friends. Maybe she called them.”

  “We have people working on all avenues, Sir. We’ve covered all our bases.”

  “I want every man and woman investigating where my wife is. I want Brady’s plane found. I don’t want any expense spared on this. And I want her back immediately. Now get out my office and find my wife.” I yelled.

  When they exited the door, I restrained myself from tearing up every square inch of the room. I took many deep breathes.

  “Annie.” I barked. She ran inside my office.

  “Yes.” She answered meekly.

  “What do I have left this afternoon?”

  “You have one more appointment. They’re already here.”

  “I will see them, but once I’m done with them, I’m done for the afternoon. I need you to cancel my appointments for the rest of the week.”

  “The entire week? You have consults, follow-up and surgeries.” I shook my head.

  “I have a family emergency. My priorities have changed. Please rearrange everything with the other partners and I’m leaving after the last appointment.” Annie nodded. My focus had to be on Perla. I vowed to take care of her and keep her safe.

  Throughout the appointment, I was like a robot. My years of training and practice, taught me to care for my patients and push all other thoughts away. I was able to complete the consultation with the older female patient with carpal tunnel. I may have rushed the consultation because my mind drifted in and out on my wife’s safety. When I concluded the examination, I said ‘good bye’ and departed for my office, locking the door behind me.

  I called Zipper, Kent and Lark on the conference call line. Not only did I have to consider one of my good friends kidnapped my wife, but it was time we discussed the future of Pentagon. Even if my wife were found safe and sound, the five pillars of the corporation were slowly crumbling.

  PERLA

  It was so quiet in the SUV as we rode to where Eric and my captor were driving me I could hear my own galloping heartbeat within my chest. Wi
th Eric in the back of the truck with me, I dared not try to escape once again. I feared to speak, but my mind kept telling me to fight for my life. It was important to try to find out where Eric was taking me.

  “Where are we going?” I asked Eric. He ignored me, looking arrogant and angry as he sat in the sumptuous black leather bench seat. “Please, Eric. If I meant anything to you, you’ll just tell me where we’re going.”

  “That’s the thing, Perla. You don’t mean anything to me. You’re just a job. I’m following orders. You’ll know where you’re going as soon as we get there.”

  “Whose orders are you following?” I asked. Eric remained quiet, looking ahead without any indication he would answer me. “Is it Brady Clay? Did he put you up to this? If he hired you to do this, I can pay you more. I’m sure my husband and I can come up with the money you need to let me walk away. I promise . . .”

  “Your husband . . .” He smirked. “Your husband used you, or did you forget. Your husband treated you like a common whore, using you for the access and information you had which he used against you. You chose him despite the truth. I gave you information to walk away. You didn’t. You used the information to your advantage, had me edit a sex tape, and got him to marry you. You’re not the woman I thought you were. Now, my boss wants you to pay for your mistakes.”

  “You’re going to be party to kidnapping?”