"Brooke, it hasn’t been like that." Marianne sat on the lower table in front of her. "I am your best friend. Jacob didn’t send me here to spy on you. He sent me to protect you, and up until yesterday, I was doing a pretty good job."
"But you reported everything to him."
"What was I suppose to do? I knew there were people out there looking for you. He knew it too. We didn’t know who. And I had to report to Jacob. It was my job." Marianne took a deep breath. "We only thought of your safely. For a long time, there was little to report. Jacob was only a sympathetic ear. He was there when I needed someone to complain to. He was there to help when things were getting out of hand. I’m sorry. I know you must hate me, but I only did what I thought was right, and I haven’t hurt anyone."
Robyn had given up control of her life when she went into protective custody. She’d fought for a small amount and thought she’d won a few battles. But she’d been manipulated and ruled by those she called friends.
Grant’s appearance, Kari’s kidnapping, Marianne, and Jacob—how much more could go wrong? Robyn turned back to Marianne.
"I haven’t changed either," the redhead said. "When I answered your ad, I was sent by Jacob, but it didn’t take long before this became more than a job," she paused, her eyes pleading with Robyn. "Brooke, I love Kari, and you’re as close as any of my sisters. You’ve got to believe me."
"I do, Marianne," she said calmly. "I don’t hate you." Robyn’s anger dissipated. She was too tired to fight. She knew Marianne only had her interests in mind. Jacob jeopardized his career to help her find Kari, and even if no one around her was who they appeared to be, they were there to help.
Marianne was like her sister. She was glad the truth had been uncovered. "How can I hate someone who can turn ham slices into those cute little faces with olives for eyes?" she asked. A hesitant smile made Marianne giggle. A bubble of laughter broke from Robyn. She covered her mouth and tried to stop but couldn’t. Suddenly, both women were laughing heartily.
Robyn felt the tension of the past twenty-four hours falling away. The release was wonderful. Tears were streaming from her eyes as her laughter continued. She couldn’t stop. Finally, with hands at her sides holding the pain in, she took a sobering breath. Dragging gulps of air into her lungs, she calmed herself. Grant poked his head through the door. Marianne waved him back.
"They’re going to think we’ve lost our minds," Marianne said, giggles still erupting.
"Let them, it’s time Jacob had something to worry about," Robyn told her.
"What about Grant? Hasn’t he worried enough?"
"Yes, he has." Robyn calmed herself, wiping her happy tears away. "Jacob—he’s the man who makes you moody after your weekends with him."
Marianne was quiet.
"He’s not married, Marianne. You told me that. You said there’s another woman. Do you know who she is?" Robyn felt this from their other conversation.
Marianne stared at her. She continued until Robyn felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, light dawned. "Me!" she exclaimed. "You’re wrong."
"Jacob’s been in love with you since he first saw you. You have to know that. After the night in the garden when you sang Secret Love" I thought you were in love with him, too."
"Jacob’s not in love with me." Their voices had lowered to conspiratorial levels. "He was in love with a woman named Cynthia. I remind him of her."
"He told me."
"Does he know how you feel about him?"
She shook her head.
"Are you sure?"
Marianne looked her straight in the eye.
"Jacob’s not good at expressing his feelings," Robyn continued. "He’s probably erected an invisible barrier to keep you from seeing how he really feels."
Marianne leaned forward. She remembered the night Jacob had come to her. She’d thought of herself as a substitute for Robyn. Could she have been wrong? Could Jacob have been thinking only of her? He came in the room following Grant.
"How can I find out?" she asked.
"With Jacob you have to be direct. Ask him, although that doesn’t guarantee you an answer." Robyn knew first-hand how closed-mouthed Jacob could be.
Marianne thought about that. "I will," she said. "When this is over and Kari is safe, I’ll ask him. Now, come on." Marianne stood up, pulling her friend with her. "Let’s find out where there’s a trolley car around here."
They went into the kitchen. The chaos of the war room was duplicated around her counter. Quiet overtook the room when the two women joined the group. "Are you all right?" Grant came to her. "I’m fine." She hugged him, knowing how lucky she was to have a man who loved her as much as she loved him. She couldn’t keep herself from watching Jacob to see if he looked at Marianne with the same tenderness in his eyes as Grant had for her. All she saw was the wall she knew he had in place. "Have you discovered anything?"
"Nothing," Jacob said. "We’ve checked the old city maps to find out where trolley tracks used to run. We’ve also searched for trolley museums in the area, trolley cars being used as restaurants, or tourist attractions. We’ve come up with nothing."
Robyn’s hand suddenly closed over Grant’s. Her eyes sought Marianne’s. "Logan Beach," they said in unison. "He’s taken her to the beach," Robyn went on. "When Will first moved here, he worked at the amusement park," Marianne told the group. "It’s got a trolley car from San Francisco."
"It’s the Trolley Whip, the giant roller coaster." Robyn’s voice had the dry dragging sound of a person gasping for air.
Grant put his arm around her. "He won’t hurt Kari."
She turned to face him. "No, he wants me. He’s been planning this for years, and it’s me he wants. Kari is his way of making sure he gets me."
"What do you want to do?" Jacob asked.
"I don’t know." In Washington, she was adamant about making the decision herself, now she didn’t know how to handle the situation. "Logan Beach is in Canada."
"I have no jurisdiction there," he said. She heard defeat in his voice.
Robyn looked at the clock on the mantel. It was six o’clock. A mere six hours before Will’s promised execution. "The park is closed. We can’t even get into it."
"We can get in," Marianne said. "We know the manager at the park. He’s a regular at Yesterdays." Robyn’s nod confirmed Marianne’s comment.
"Call him," Jacob ordered. "I’ll get us some authority."
"How?" Robyn asked.
"Chase Dalrymple and Clarence Christopher."
"Do you think they’ll help?" Robyn could feel Grant’s heart beating fast as he held her. She was glad he was here. She needed him, needed his strength more than she’d ever thought.
"I don’t know. I can ask."
"What did he say when you went up there, Jacob?" Robyn knew the director hadn’t been in his office in the middle of the night without good reason.
Jacob didn’t answer. He gave her a look that told her the discussion between him and Clarence Christopher was a subject she need not bring up again.
***
The sun had long since dropped behind the horizon of Lake Erie’s western shore when the two cars pulled up at the park’s main entrance. Another two were at separate locations. Jacob insisted they go in without sirens blaring. Grant held onto Robyn’s hand, while Jacob and Marianne followed.
The park manager met them, and they slipped into the darkened area. Robyn scanned every corner for some sign of Kari. It was eerie being in a closed park. Sound echoed with every footstep, magnified by the quietness. She kept looking over her shoulder for someone following her. Robyn had only seen Logan Beach when lights extended far into the sky, outlining the rides in gay colors. Crowds of people with cotton candy or stuffed animals walked before her. Tonight, the ghostly silence enveloped her.
"Where do you think they are?" Robyn whispered to Grant.
"I don’t know. The roller coaster is over there." He pointed to the grimly outlined structure.
Robyn c
ould see the giant thrill machine. It reminded her of a huge dragon. Its fires were dampened for the moment, but with a little effort, it could spring to life and breathe death to the ground.
"I want the lights turned on." Robyn heard Jacob. "At my signal." The park manager started to leave. "Call the fire department, too," Jacob called to the man’s retreating back. "And get the rescue squad," he amended. The gray-haired man nodded, and Jacob took the lead, directing them to the base of the roller coaster.
"I’m sorry, Brooke, but if Kari’s hurt we’ll need help."
She tried to smile. "Thanks, Jacob."
"They’ve been here," Marianne pointed to empty wrappers from McDonald’s. Fresh catsup oozed from the discarded paper.
"All right," Jacob commanded. "Spread out. Hammil, Price, go check the other side." He pointed toward the lower end of the roller coaster.
"It’s so nice of you to come, Mrs. Richards." A laughing voice boomed from the darkness. All eyes shifted up, looking for the source of the grating sound. Robyn could see nothing. Her heart thudded against her chest. Suddenly, the lights came on with blinding intensity. Her hands came up, blocking the stabs of illumination. Still, she saw nothing.
Jacob’s hand grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the light. Marianne had Grant. They crouched behind a closed concession stand.
"Did you see Kari?" Grant whispered.
"No," Jacob answered.
"Hiding won’t help you, Mrs. Richards." The disembodied voice bounced off the stationary thrill machines. I knew you would figure it out. It was you, right? You’re so smart.” There was a laugh, the sound like a clown’s. “Come on out. You didn’t fly all this way to hide, did you?"
"How’s he able to track our movements so closely?" Marianne whispered.
"A good question," Jacob answered. "One I’ve asked myself since last night when he called Brooke at the headquarters building."
Marianne looked at Robyn. "I don’t know how he knew we were there," Robyn explained.
"Come out, Mrs. Richards," Will called to her.
"Why does he keep calling you that?" Grant asked.
"At Alex’s trial, it was how they referred to me. The defense attorney made a habit of ending each question with my name. I think they were trying to make the subtle point that you were a hostage, and I was willing to say anything to have you freed."
"Did they know about the agreement she’d made?" Grant directed his question to Jacob.
"With the levels Brooke uncovered, it’s possible they knew. The newspapers hinted at it, but it was never brought up in court."
"Jacob, I want to talk to him," Robyn said, looking over her shoulder.
"Brooke, if you have any idea of trying to exchange yourself. . ."
"No," she interrupted. "I know him better than you. Maybe I’ll be able to talk him out of this."
"Let her try," Grant said. "Kari’s probably scared to death. It’ll make her feel better if she hears her mother’s voice. If we can get her back without anything more happening, it’s worth a try."
Robyn saw the look pass between Jacob and Marianne. Marianne nodded. Then, Jacob looked at Robyn. "All right," he agreed, reluctance in his voice. "But I warn you. Don’t try to change the script. We’re not going to let him get both of you."
Robyn nodded. She stood up, but remained concealed behind the barricade. Grant stood next to her. She took his hand.
"I’m right here," he said.
"Will," she called, her voice shaky. "Will, it’s Brooke." Silence met her. "Will, is Kari all right?"
Again silence.
"Will, please answer me." There was desperation in her voice.
"You killed my son." A thundering voice came back. "And I’m going to take your daughter."
Robyn had never heard hatred in Will’s voice. It was there now. A hatred fueled by years of searching and looking for the woman who’d given testimony against his son. The woman who’d uncovered the Crime Network and then disappeared behind the protective custody of the United States government.
He’d snapped, Robyn knew. After so many years, after being patient and searching, his suspicions had proven true. That knowledge sent him over the edge. This wasn’t her Will. This wasn’t Graffie. A cold-blooded killer held her daughter.
"Will, Kari is your granddaughter." Robyn forced herself to remain calm, trying to inject logic, hoping she could penetrate the casing around his heart. "Didn’t you tell me your own daughters didn’t visit? And Kari was closer than any of your grandchildren? Will, you can’t hurt Kari."
"I can, and I will. At midnight. The same time Alex died."
Robyn trembled. Grant squeezed her hand and put his arm about her shoulders. "Will, what do you want?"
"I want my son back."
"Killing Kari won’t bring Alex back."
"No, but it will make up for living next to you, waiting for a chink in that rock-hard armor of yours to crack."
"Will, it’s me you want. . ."
Jacob grabbed her shoulders, wrenching her away from Grant. "No!" His eyes glared into hers. "Just keep him talking. The longer he talks the better chance we have."
Robyn dropped her eyes and nodded.
"Keep her here," he said to Marianne, then slipped out into the darkness and disappeared.
She took a deep breath. "Will, I can’t bring Alex back. I didn’t kill him."
"He was my son."
Robyn heard the cry in his voice.
"I know, Will," she shouted. "You loved him, and he loved you."
"You took him away. You killed him."
"I had a job to do, Will." Robyn thought she’d appeal to his sense of duty. "I had orders, like you." She paused. "Will, is Kari all right?" Robyn persisted, more quietly than before but loud enough to carry to him.
Jacob came back then. The park manager and one of the nameless agents arrived at the same time. "She’s up there. He has her tied to one of the cars. If he lets it go," he paused, looking directly in Robyn’s eyes. "It will crash into the cars below. The cars have been welded together, and there’s a bomb attached to them. She’ll be killed."
Robyn gasped, stepping back as if the words were fists that beat at her. Grant turned her into his arms. "He won’t do it, darling. He won’t hurt her."
"You don’t know that. He thinks I killed his son. He wants my daughter in exchange, and he has her. There’s nothing we can do to stop him."
"The fire department and ambulances are here," the park manager whispered.
"Thank you," Jacob spoke in hushed tones. "Could you let them know the situation and have them quietly take up position?"
The manager nodded. "The police are also here."
"Good," Jacob said. "Let them know there’s a bomb under the roller coaster, and we need a bomb squad. Show them where it is when they arrive."
"Will treated Alex badly, but he loved him," Jacob heard Grant saying. "I want you to keep talking to him. Remind him she’s his granddaughter. I’m sure he loves her, and it’s difficult to kill someone you love." Grant kissed her and started to move in the same direction as Jacob.
"Where are you going?" Jacob asked.
"I’m not sure. But my plan is to see what I can do to save my daughter." He was determined. If Jacob had any intention of stopping him, he was in for a fight.
Jacob looked at him a long time. "I’m going with you," Grant said. Jacob turned to Marianne. "Keep her here." He pointed to the ground.
"I will," she nodded.
"We’ll take the route around the back of the Tilt ‘o Whirl, then split and approach from both sides."
The men left. Marianne took hold of Robyn. "Talk to him," she said.
"Will, Kari loves you. And I know—I know you love her," she stammered. "Will, can I talk to her?"
The silence that met her lengthened. Robyn fought her tears. She took a deep breath and reined in her fear.
"Will, please! She’s only a little girl."
Marianne held onto R
obyn for what seemed like hours before they heard the tiny, frightened voice.
"Mommy," Kari called.
Robyn instinctively moved toward the sound, but Marianne blocked her efforts.
"Kari, are you all right?" She struggled to keep the fear in her heart out of her voice.
"Mommy, I’m scared. Can you come and get me down." There were tears in her voice, and again, Robyn tried to move toward her.
"Tell her Graffie will help her," Marianne stopped her.
"Mommy can’t reach you, honey. Graffie is there. Graffie will help you."
"Graffie said I’m going down by myself. Mommy, I’m scared." Robyn could hear giant-size sobs coming from her daughter. "Mommy, help me, help me."
"I will, Kari. I will." Tears streamed down her face. Kari sounded so afraid. Her voice was so tiny in the huge space. "What am I going to do, Marianne? I have to go out there. You have to let me. If he takes me, he’ll let her go."
"No!" Marianne was adamant. "You heard what Jacob said."
"She’s not Jacob’s child. She’s mine."
Marianne didn’t say anything for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was gentle. "I know she’s your child, Brooke, but we don’t know much about Will’s state of mind right now. If you go out there, you’ll be a target. And we could well lose both you and Kari. As long as we can keep him talking, it will give Jacob and Grant a chance to do something. Trust them, Brooke."
"All right," she agreed. Then to Will, she asked, "What can I do, Will? What will it take for you to give me back my daughter?"
"You can’t have her. She’s mine now," he answered.
"But there must be something. Alex has been dead for five years. I’ve seen you with Kari. She makes you smile. You look forward to seeing her each day. You can’t be willing to kill her without a second thought."
"What have you got to exchange?"
Robyn hesitated. This was the opening she’d sought. Instinctively, she knew Will wanted it, too. He wanted to see her in pain, see fear on her face and in her eyes. She knew he wanted to extract everything from her that he felt she’d taken from his son.
Under the Sheets (Capitol Chronicles Book 1) Page 30