by Mia Moore
Oh, this was going to be even sweeter to take her.
Just as this whore had made it, he was going to end her. Her rich guy would be dead, her mansions and limousines wouldn’t matter a damn as he filled in her grave watching her.
He smiled. Maybe he’d take off her gag so she could scream and babble as he shoveled in the dirt. That would make this project that much more special.
The limo and its driver added a wrinkle to the original plan. Not a huge deal—instead of killing that Tom guy, he’d have to take out both of them. Too bad he didn’t own a gun. They wouldn’t be any problem though; surprise would be on his side, and he was quick.
In any case, she was there. He returned to his truck. He’d get warm, have something to eat and bide his time for the rest of the evening.
Chapter 25
Just about all of the guests had departed. Annik was at the front door with the Major helping the last of them into their coats. The last people to leave were her friends, and they were all going back to Tom’s home for a little after party get together. They were going to leave their cars at Pandora’s go in the limo.
“We really can’t stay too long, Annik,” Diana said as Danny held her coat for her. “I’m pretty beat as it is.”
“Just one drink, Diana Girl, and we’ll head home,” Danny said. “It will only be my second time in a limo, and this time I’m not paying for it.” He gave Diana a hug after slipping her coat on.
“Yes, and you’ll have to keep your hands to yourself this time.”
“Only till we get back home; I don’t care how tired you are.”
“Oh, you kids,” chimed in Bonnie. “We got ten years on you if a day, and we could go all night.” She still had that look on her face. She was holding hands with Anthony, their fingers rubbing constantly.
“Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but Craig and I are planning on staying up till sunrise,” said Jessica.
“Speak for yourself. A nightcap will be great though,” Craig said.
“The Major and I will be right behind you,” Annik said. “We just have to close out the bar receipts and lock up.” She looked over to the bar where the Major had the cash sheet laid out and the money counted up already. He’d drop her off and continue home. His partner Roy was waiting for him.
“Hey Angel, call me when you’re leaving, alright?” Tom said.
“Not a problem.”
The group headed out the door and got in the car.
Annik turned the lock on the front door and headed into the bar.
“Would you like to stop for a visit, Major?” she asked as he pushed the paperwork and cash over to her.
“Thanks lass, but no. I have something to ask Roy when I get home. All the engagements and such that’s happened here tonight has got me thinking…”
She looked up from the paperwork. “You too? Oh Don.” She dropped her pen and reached across the bar and kissed him.
“Yes, lassie, me too. I’m going to ask him to be my husband.” He shook his head. “I love him dearly, and want to grow old with him.” He looked back up to Annik. “Some night, eh?”
They finished the paperwork and climbed to the third floor put the cash into the safe in her office. The Major had gone through the building already, ensuring they were the only two people in it and that it was secure.
She descended the stairs and continued strolling through the building. The dream of owning Pandora’s had changed her whole life. If she hadn’t met Tom at Chez Louis’ that night when her hopes of raising the money had failed, would they have ever got together? Would she have ever come up with the money on her own or would she still be in the life? With the criminal record erased, that life faded in reality. She’d be married to Tom next year and they’d be starting a family. The thought of returning to school to complete her degree was almost too much to contemplate. She had more choices than ever, each one better than the next. She knew where she would start though; family first.
“Pandora, when you opened that box, the only thing that remained was hope. And that’s what you’ve given me old girl- hope, when all had seemed lost.” She whispered.
One thing was certain; she’d never say goodbye to this wonderful place.
“I’ll get the lights in the ballroom and dining room if you’d like to get our coats, lass.” She watched him stride quickly away before she went behind the counter of the coat check.
“When did Roy leave? I didn’t get a chance to talk to him all night.” She slid her arms into the sleeves of her fur coat that the Major held for her.
“Just after midnight.” He slipped a leather coat on, leaving the buttons open as he held the door for her.
She stood on the steps as the Major locked the door. She pulled her cell phone and hit Tom’s programmed number. “I told him I’d call when I was on my way.” She answered The Major’s puzzled look.
Chapter 26
Paul’s thin lips pulled outward when he saw her emerge from the door. Who was that with her? His head jutted forward, eyes squinted. Some old guy. What the hell was he doing with her? They were walking over to a four by four vehicle in the parking area.
Time to go to work. He pulled the hunting knife from the leather holder on his waist.
The bitch was on the phone and close to the vehicle. He stepped out from behind the evergreen, holding the knife in one hand, his metal flashlight in the other. Her eyes flew open and she started to scream when she saw him. He smashed her on the side of her head and she went down like a stone.
The old guy’s hands were open, poised in the air almost at his shoulders as he crouch walked to the side. Who the hell did the old fart think he was? Bruce Lee?
Paul jabbed the knife upward at the guy’s hand while his feet moved fast in the opposite direction. The guy’s hand pulled back and it was too late. Paul whacked him on the head with the light while his other arm swung up to slide the knife deep into the old guy’s gut. His eyes bulged wide with surprise. They looked at each other.
“When you see St. Peter, tell him Paul Lester sent you.” He grinned at the old guy who was sliding to the ground, almost in slow motion. He bashed him twice more in the head as he went down. He opened his bloody hand to release the knife.
He squatted down and pushed the old guy under the black truck parked next to him. They might have a night watchman who patrolled the grounds. No sense leaving evidence for them to get a better head start. He kicked snow around to cover the blood.
His head jerked to the side. The bitch was coming to. He lunged at her, grabbing a fistful of hair and yanking her to her feet. He slapped his bloody hand over her mouth to shut her up.
“Happy New Year, whore.” he hissed in her ear.
Chapter 27
When Tom’s phone rang, he was sitting in the living room with his friends, enjoying coffee and pastries.
He clicked the answer and speaker phone button, smiling at Craig and Jessica sitting across from him.“Hi Annik. You’re a bit late. By the way you’re on speaker phone.”
“Hi Tom. Hi everyone. I’m just leaving.”
“Okay. You’ll be home in just a few then. Happy New Year.”
“OH MY GOD!” There was a crunching noise then silence.
He shot to his feet. “Annik? What’s going on?” Everyone in the room was stock still.
“Maybe she slipped on some ice. Call her back.” Bonnie was sitting next to Anthony on the sofa, a coffee cup on her lap.
Tom clicked a button on the phone. “Hi. It’s Annik. I can’t come to the phone right…” He hit a button turning the voice message off.
“Give it a minute, in case she hasn’t hung up yet. Maybe she’ll call back.” Bonnie again tried to reassure her brother.
“That’s probably it, Tom. I almost fell on the stairs when Jessica and I were leaving. It’s so cold even the salt on them was freezing.” Craig’s face wore a faint smile.
Jessica, sitting next to him looked worried. “I’ll try, Tom.” She pulled her ph
one from her purse and hit Annik’s name in her friends list. She held the phone to her ear, her brows furrowed.
“Still voice mail.”
“I’ll call The Major. He’s with her.” Diana had her phone in hand and held it to her ear. Her lips were a straight line when she glanced at Tom. “No answer then to voice mail.”
“That’s it.” Danny stood up. “Let’s go. You got a car here Tom?” Tom had dismissed the limo and driver when they had arrived.
“What are you saying Danny?” asked Tom.
“I know that sound we heard over the phone.” He was putting his coat on. “It wasn’t her slipping and falling. We gotta go and check up on her. Now.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Tom’s face was paling in fear.
“I know what I’m talking about, Tom. I’ve been in enough fights to know how they sound.”
Tom looked over to Diana. “Who is this guy?” Diana was standing and putting her coat on as well.
“Danny spent years in the military, Tom. Special Operations. If he says lets go, then we got to go.”
“This may seem ridiculous…but I’m coming too. She’s my best friend and I want to make sure she’s okay.” Jessica got up and walked to the front door, following the others.
“Sorry Bonnie and Anthony. I guess the party’s moving back to Pandora’s. Are you joining the cavalry or staying here?” Craig smiled and stood up as well.
“Maybe we should stay here in case she shows up. It may be something as simple as phone transmissions being blocked up with New Years Eve and all. Ask Tom to call us when he gets there.” Anthony answered.
“Tom! Wait up. Jessica and I will ride with you.” He turned, smiled at Bonnie and held his arm out in front of him in his best cavalry imitation. “Charge!”
*****
The throbbing pain woke her up. She couldn’t see or move. Her arms were bound to her side and she was bouncing up and down. She was in a box in a car or something. Oh God…
She couldn’t fight off the panic. She couldn’t scream either. Her mouth was taped shut. She screamed anyway, in spite of the pain in her head, she screamed.
*****
Paul heard Annik battering around in the holding area. He loved this moment when they woke up. Maybe he could put a video camera in there for the next time. He could replay the video after he finished with them, and edit it into the videos he took of each project, in the cellar. That was a good idea.
Her thrashing around was music.
Happy New Year.
Chapter 28
Fifteen minutes later Tom pulled his car into Pandora’s driveway. Only the exterior light at the building’s entrance was lit. The Major’s black four by four stood in the staff parking area. Craig’s and Danny’s vehicles were over in the general parking area.
Were they still inside? But why would the lights be off? Tom got out of the car and walked up the steps and pushed the latch on the door handle. It was locked. What the hell was going on? His fingers shook as he fumbled in his pocket and found his set of keys for the building. Just as he was unlocking it, Danny yelled.
“Tom! Diana! Over here!”
His breath caught in his throat and he turned quickly. He didn’t see Danny but Diana was running to the Major’s truck. He hurried down the steps, following Jessica and Craig who had been standing waiting for him to open the door.
Danny was squatting next to the driver’s door, peering under the truck. Diana was on her knees beside him.
“It’s the Major. He’s under here and it looks like he’s been hurt.” Danny was reaching under the vehicle. The Major was curled in a fetal position on his side.
“Don! It’s Diana. Can you hear me?” Diana was trying to crawl under flattened on her stomach. “He’s alive. I got a pulse.”
Craig and Tom were now on their knees as well, next to Danny.
Where was Annik? Tom’s heart was beating hard in his chest.
“Everyone grab his coat and pull him out.” Diana ordered. “Gently.”
They pulled him out from under the truck. His bloody hand was pressed on his midsection.
They all stared in silent horror.
“Oh shit,” said Danny. He turned and ran to his car.
Diana slapped the Major’s face. “Don! Major!”
His eyes fluttered open. “He took her.” He coughed, blood splattering out. “Paul Lester…applied” He gasped for air. “Membership in December. On computer.”
Danny pulled up in Diana’s Suburban. He jumped out and threw open the back door.
“Shouldn’t we call an ambulance? Is it safe to move him?” Jessica stood behind the three people, her cell phone in her hand.
“No,” said Diana. “We’ll take him in my car.”
“Call the police Jessica,” said Craig.
Another car came up the driveway and pulled up to where the group was. It was Anthony and Bonnie. He had followed the limo to Tom’s home in their car. They got out and hurried over.
Bonnie stood with her hand to her mouth as she watched them huddled around the Major. Anthony stepped in and helped as they lifted him under Diana’s directions.
She went over to the backseat of Diana’s car and got in and thrust the seats down. As the men eased the Major into the back, Bonnie was pulling from the front.
“I’ll ride with you and try to keep him steady,” Bonnie said. They slammed the doors and Diana gunned it, her hazard lights flashing.
Tom ran up the steps and burst through the door of Pandora’s. Danny and Craig were right behind him. He flipped on the lights and raced up the stairs. Oh God help us find her. Please protect her. His heart thundered as he took the stairs two at a time to the third floor. He flipped another light and entered the Major’s office. As he was turning on the computer, Craig and Danny entered the room.
“He said the name was Paul Lester, to check the computer for applicants in December.” This can’t be happening. “What about the police Jessica?” he said as she appeared at the office door.
“I’m on hold! Can you fucking believe this?”There were tears in her eyes.
Tom’s eyes returned to the screen and he typed in Paul Lester, in the search bar. His eyes squinted angrily when the screen opened up, showing Paul’s information. “52 Lakeridge Road, Ajax. Let’s go guys.”
“You gotta let me drive Tom. Don’t worry, I’ll floor it. You’re in no shape to drive man.” Danny was close on Tom’s heels going out the door.
“The quickest way is 404 north and east on 401 to Ajax.” Craig’s feet pounded on the stairs behind them.
“Fifty-two Lakeridge Road Ajax. His name is Paul Lester and he’s kidnapped my friend Annik Dandridge.” Jessica spoke on her cell phone finally able to get through, as she descended the stairs behind them.
Tom tossed the car key to Danny and got in the passenger door. “Hurry!”
“Wait! I’m coming too!” Jessica was crossing the parking lot to the Cadillac.
“You stay here. It’s too dangerous.” Craig was getting in the rear door.
“No!” She slammed her hand on the hood of the car.
Danny had turned around and was just about to drive away. He stopped and she scurried to the car door and scrambled inside.
“Let’s go!” Every second counted. Oh God, please…Tom leaned forward in his seat as Danny wheeled the car out of the driveway.
“Seat belts everyone.” Danny commanded.
Jessica had gone back to speaking with the police on her cell phone. Her voice wasn’t registering on Tom’s radar, just background noise. “Faster Danny!”
Chapter 29
The noise of her kicking and pounding in the box under the seat had subsided.
Good. He wanted her to have enough energy to stay awake for their first session together. She had been light as a feather when he tucked her into the compartment; even an unconscious dead weight, she was simple to handle.
He drove at a steady pace, just below the speed limit. Not t
oo fast to attract attention, and not too slow either. Just right. It really didn’t matter. He had all the time he needed.
He’d complete this project today and bury her tonight. The hole was already dug and most of his things were packed. It was time to move on anyway.
****
Annik regained control of herself after a few minutes. She had to think this through. Paul Lester… the name rang a bell. Yes! He was the guy who applied and they rejected his application in December! The answers he gave on the Personality Inventory were off the charts for a sociopath. Okay, trying to appeal to him would be a waste of time; if anything begging and pleading would only serve to arouse him more. He had to be pretty damn dangerous and confident to not even tie her up before he stuck her in this box. It felt like a coffin.
She didn’t get a good look at him before he knocked her out. Didn’t matter anyway. She had a good idea of what he had in mind. As an undergrad she took a course The Psychology of Crime and there was a section on abduction murders. They were often serial killers, but always killers.
He was planning on killing her.
Well, we’ll see about that.
She wished she was as brave as she wanted to sound.
****
When he pulled up to his house Paul was amazed at how energized he was. He shut off the engine and leaned over to open the hatchway and pull her out. He stopped. He’d prolong the pleasure a little more.
He got out and went into the house. He always travelled light, picking up what he needed when he would settle into a new hunting area. Humming to himself, he spent the next twenty minutes loading the back of his pickup with his things. As he placed his luggage and boxes of belongings into the truck bed, he listened for any noise from the compartment. Not a sound now.
Like a cornered kitten.
He smiled.
The only things left were his video camera and the toys he would use to work on her. They’d go in a box after the project was completed.