by J. L. Drake
The eight men stood quietly in the elevator as we quickly rode to the penthouse floor. No one spoke a word—just painful thoughts filled the twelve by twelve steel box. The doors opened and a tall, husky black man stood with his arms by his side. He nodded at Michaels and led us into another room.
“I’m special Agent Patrick,” a man dressed in a dark suit addressed everyone. “This is agent Weathers, she’s communications, and Agent Crew. He’s I.T. We’re with the FBI.”
“FBI?” I asked, confused.
Michaels turned to face me. “They think Lasko may have been involved in a kidnapping in Texas a few years back. Since it’s over state lines…” They get involved. “Besides, I had a few favors to cash in.”
“Thank you.” My voice was hoarse. The more eyes on this the better.
“Thank me later, when we get her back.”
Agent Crew held out his hand to me. “Now, let’s take a look at that computer.” He shifted his glasses up on his nose, and I handed the laptop to him.
“So this was left for you guys to find?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said quickly as I looked around the busy room.
Agent Weathers came over. “Officer Connors.” She shook my hand. “You’re the guy I need to speak to.” I followed her off to the side. We sat at a round table, and she pulled out a notepad, then brushed her hair away from her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. She was a thin woman, but I could tell she had strength. She held herself well.
“You’ve known McPhee for some time now?”
I nodded.
“How close would you say you two are?”
I cleared my throat. “Very.”
“You guys are dating, correct?”
“Yes.”
She moved her brown hair out of her eyes again. “Is she close to Officer O’Brian?”
“Yes, she’s kind of like his sister.”
“You never got the feeling there was something else there?” She studied my face.
I held her gaze. “Never.” She continued writing. What did that have to do with the case?
“Is there any reason you can think of that would make Lasko target her?”
I closed my eyes and raised my hand to my mouth. “No.” I shook my head. “That’s a question for Hank Wallace,” I added, which made her raise an eyebrow.
She frowned. “We’ve been questioning Wallace for over a week now. It turns out he has quite the rap sheet, but we haven’t been able to crack him. He keeps asking for Emily, but Michaels refuses to use her again. And, of course, now we can’t.”
“I have no idea why Lasko’s chosen her.”
Crew put his hand up. “We’re back up and running, people. We can see McPhee.”
I jumped to my feet and went over to the couch. She was sitting in the same chair as before. Her head was slumped forward. I leaned forward into the mic. “Em, can you hear me?” She didn’t move.
“Are we running the trace for this?” Patrick’s husky voice filled the room.
Crew nodded. “Yes, we are.” Opening his own laptop and plugging it into the other, he started typing away. He shook his head in disgust. “Nothing, it keeps rerouting to different addresses.” He didn’t sound surprised.
Emily moved her head slightly.
“Look, look she moved!” Garrett pointed to the screen. We watched as she tried to move her legs and arms. Her eyes slowly opened. She looked around and then started to cry softly. She looked groggy and seemed to be having trouble holding her head up.
I swallowed a lump in my throat.
“He must have given her a sedative or something.” I raised my voice. “Em, can you hear me?” There was a shadow off to the left. “Wait, what was that?” I asked as I struggled to control my panic.
Crew pulled the footage up on his laptop and replayed it. He stopped it right on the shadow and enhanced it. “Looks like a dog.”
“A pit bull,” I whispered.
Crew squinted. “Yeah, by the shape of its head, I’d say a pit bull.” He paused. “How did you know that?”
I looked at Weathers. “I was on the phone with her right before he got her, and she said a pit bull was staring her down. Then it charged her.”
Movement caught his eye. Lasko’s arm flashed on the side of the screen like he was doing something. My stomach flipped. “He’s there.” Lasko moved into view. His face looked pissed. He pointed to the dog and said a command. The dog moved off the screen.
“Pass aut sicauf,” Patrick’s voice said from behind me. “Means ‘watch her’ in German.”
My skin shivered.
“You can read lips?” Garrett asked, moving over to him.
“Yes, I can read six different languages.” He pointed to the screen. “Lasko just left.”
***
Emily
I squeezed the red food dye on top of the sugar, then stirred it around and mixed it together. I took my knife and spread the frosting on top of the star cookies and sprinkled the colored sugar over the top. I turned to reach for a cloth and came back to two cookies gone.
“What the…?” I looked around the kitchen but didn’t see anyone. I continued until all my Christmas cookies were decorated to my satisfaction. I dumped the dishes in the sink and caught Dad’s reflection in the window. “Dad!” I yelped and tossed the dish towel at him. He had a stack of cookies in his hand and tried to tiptoe back to his office when I caught him. He laughed and bolted for the stairs instead. “You’re a thief!” I shouted after him.
I laughed and turned my music up. Judy Garland’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas filled the kitchen.
Huh? My head turned back and forth as Judy Garland’s voice faded and was replaced with the haunting sound of a cello. The bow skimmed over the strings and brought me out of my groggy state. I lifted my hand and rubbed my head.
I flinched as I realized what I’d just done. I could move my arms? My eyes fluttered open, and I realized I was horizontal. I focused on the ceiling. Cracks in the cement ran along in small lines toward the door. Door?
I tried to sit up, but I was too dizzy. Two more tries, and with one hell of a thumping headache, I was finally able to sit and dangled my feet over the edge of the bed. I was dressed in a long silk nightgown. The realization made my stomach turn. I dry heaved off to my side.
He had changed me! I stopped the thought and didn’t allow myself to go there. I moved unsteadily to my feet and walked like a drunk toward the steel door. The drug he had given me took its sweet time to fade from my system.
The music stopped, which made it eerily quiet. I started to pant. Goose bumps raced over me as I desperately felt around the edges of the door and clawed at the wood next to it. I needed to find a way out. I heard a sound and found a set of eyes that stared back at me from a Judas hole.
Startled, I jumped back and stumbled into a dresser. The door opened, and Lasko just stood there and watched me. The crow’s feet around his eyes had deepened. They seemed to have softened some.
“Good evening,” he said in a strange, low voice. “Dinner will be served in forty minutes. Why don’t we get you cleaned up and dressed? We don’t want you to be late. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
Wait! What? Who doesn’t like to be kept waiting?
“Come along, dear. It’s best you just do as you’re told.” He took me gently but firmly by the arm and gestured me out the door. My feet dragged themselves along the cold, damp floor. I saw we were still in the basement. The chair that I had been in earlier was off to one side. I glanced at the computer monitor, which was now turned off.
Lasko caught my glance. “I thought you might like some privacy.” I tried to think of something to say, but I was confused by his demeanor with me. We approached an old portable wash tub that was tucked in a corner. He filled it with water. My blood pressure dropped when I realized what was about to happen.
“No, no, please,” I mumbled. My tongue felt like it was too thick for my mouth.
His han
d came up to my shoulder. “I’m sorry, dear. It just has to be this way. Arms up.”
I shook my head as he fumbled at the silk straps. He lifted them off my shoulders and let the gown drop to the floor. I stood completely naked in front of him.
My braver side peeped out for a second as I raised my chin to look at him. I would not show weakness. I saw his eyes flinch, but he straightened up and cleared his throat.
“Right, now get in the tub, please.”
I shook as he helped me step into the hot water and cried out as it stung the cut on my leg. He clucked his tongue as he helped me lean back. He started to wash my feet with a bar of soap. In an odd way it seemed almost…respectful?
He skipped my private parts, but it still didn’t stop the trembles. He didn’t speak much, other than to give me directions. He let the water drain out as he leaned me forward and gently washed my hair. A few times I caught his words, but I couldn’t make out most of them. The sick perv probably got his kicks making it seem like he cared.
After he dried me and dressed me in a dark blue evening gown, he brought me back to the small room and instructed me to wait. The entire situation made me even more frightened than I was before. If not Lasko, who was I about to have dinner with?
Why was Lasko so—dare I think it—nice to me? In spite of no shoes, I started to pace the small room. I needed to get out of there. I felt panic creeping up on me fast.
The click of the door made me freeze. My mouth went dry, and I broke into a sweat as Lasko walked in the room in a tux. What the fuck?
“My, my, my, don’t you look lovely, darlin’?” His normal voice was back. He held out his hand. “Come. Dinner awaits.”
I took a step back; I didn’t want to go. I’d rather have rotted in that room than gone to eat with that man, but the look on his face told me not to push him. I swallowed and tried to moisten my throat. I took a shaky step forward.
“Wise choice,” he said. He gripped my arm tightly.
Choice?
A round table with a red cloth sat in the middle of the basement. The spotlight was turned off, and white candles were lit throughout the room. Two plates with domed covers over them sat across from each other. The haunting cello music from earlier came from an old record player next to the computer.
I could see Seth and Garrett on the screen. They both stood up and started to talk when they saw me, but I couldn’t make out what had been said because of the music.
Lasko pulled out my chair. “Please sit.” When I didn’t comply right away, he pushed me hard into the seat. Then he placed a napkin on my lap and took a seat across from me. I glanced to my left at the screen and felt my heart race.
“Eyes on me, darlin’,” he said calmly. The music filled the awkward silence. Lasko closed his eyes and moved his hand to the melody. “I just love Bach.”
Bach will forever be ruined for me.
“Soothes my soul.”
Soul? Oh my God, I need to get out of here!
He poured us some wine and held his glass up in the air. “Finally, you’re right where you belong.” This man was insane. I didn’t move, remaining frozen. He leaned forward and tapped his glass to mine. “Cheers.” He smiled widely and then took a sip. “Mmmm, this is nice, don’t you think?” He looked at the label. “2011 St. Michelle Merlot, one of my favorites.” He clapped his hands together. “Shall we eat?”
He pulled the dome off my plate and revealed a pork roast with mashed potatoes and green beans. He smelled the food and started to eat, but his mannerisms did not match his attempt at a romantic atmosphere. I almost puked in my mouth. When gravy started to drip down his chin, he made no effort to wipe it away.
I didn’t risk another glance at the computer. As much as I needed to know Seth was here with me, I was afraid Lasko would turn it off, and then I would truly be alone with this animal.
“Eat,” he ordered as he pulled me from my thoughts.
I didn’t move.
He set his fork down and finally wiped his mouth. As he tapped his fingers on the table, his expression hardened, but then his mouth turned up. “Have I told you how lovely you look this evening? That color makes your face glow.” His tap got a little louder. “But, if you don’t eat, I’ll be the one making your face glow.”
I picked up the fork and speared a small piece of meat. I put it in my mouth and chewed without tasting it.
“Good, right?” he asked with a bright smile. We continued to eat until we were both done. It took every ounce of determination in me to keep it down. My only saving grace was the thought that the food might give me the energy I would need to fight this man when the time came…and it would come.
His cell phone rang, and I watched as he pulled it out of his pocket. “Forgive me, darlin’, but I need to take this.” His turned down the music and answered the phone. “Hold on a second,” he said into the receiver.
He pulled out zip ties and fastened my legs and arms to the chair. Then he made sure I was nice and snug before he tied the gag around my mouth. “Don’t want you getting ideas,” he joked. He left to go upstairs. I heard the door slam shut, followed by his muffled voice.
I quickly glanced at the computer and saw Seth in conversation with someone. I was so glad they were with me in the only way they could be. I tried to get closer so I could hear. I leaned my weight forward to buck the chair in that direction. It took two or three tries just to move an inch.
I let out a little grunt-scream, I felt so frustrated, but that seemed to get Seth’s attention. So he could hear me?
I heard a click, and I froze. Heavy breaths followed, and then the pit bull stepped into view. Oh shit! He walked toward me. A deep, low growl vibrated in his throat. He stepped up on my legs, his weight driving his nails into my skin. His face just inches from me, the glow of his yellow eyes burned into mine. His breath reeked like rotted meat, and I had to hold my breath for fear of getting sick. His stench was intolerable. He stayed there for a few moments, to make his point, and then he shifted off me. His claws left indentations on my skin. He huffed as he went back into the corner, where he flopped himself down heavily. I let out a long, unsteady breath.
Terror didn’t describe what my heart was going through at that moment.
My brain wanted to shut down, but I fought against it. I felt exhausted.
My head snapped up when I heard Lasko’s footsteps above me. I tried to stop the doubt that would sweep across me every few minutes. What if I never saw Seth again? Why hadn’t I told him I loved him when I had the chance? What I wouldn’t have done to feel his arms around me one last time!
***
Seth
Agent Crew moved toward the screen, adjusting his glasses again. “I wonder who was on the phone? Poor thing.” Crew ran his hands through his hair. “She was trying to move her chair, I think to get closer to the screen, but that dog came and warned her not to move.”
Avery came up. “I’m going to grab something to eat. You guys want anything?” Crew shook his head.
“Sure, anything,” Garrett said, with his eyes locked to the screen.
Avery cleared his throat. “All right.” He turned to me. “Doing a dinner run. You want anything?” He handed me a menu.
I glanced at the paper and quickly handed it back. “Turkey sandwich on wheat.” I didn’t look at him as I spoke; I was too engulfed in the computer screen.
“Oh God,” Crew hissed. “She’s got company again.”
“Shoot it to the big screen,” Patrick ordered as he pointed to the projection screen they had just finished mounting on the wall.
I shifted to the couch and watched in horror as Lasko untied Emily and ushered her into a room. He stayed there for a few moments and then came out, locking the door behind him. Lasko gave a wave to the police before he turned off the camera.
I wiped the sweat off my temples. I didn’t know how much longer I could watch. I felt so helpless. I glanced at my watch—11:35 p.m. It had been roughly fourteen hours since
she’d been taken, and almost twenty-one hours since I’d held her in my arms. Mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted, I rubbed my eyes.
“Go get some sleep, Connors.” Sarge looked at me, concerned.
I shook my head. “No, I’m good.”
“That was an order.”
I glanced at Garrett, who nodded his understanding. He would inform me the moment Emily woke up.
I opened the door to one of the four bedrooms in the penthouse suite and flicked on the bedside lamp. The silence was painful and the room was cold. With a heavy heart I trudged into the bathroom and dropped my bag on the counter, then turned on the hot water.
My numb fingers pulled my shirt up over my head and undid my pants. I kicked them off to the side. Stepping into the shower, I stood directly under the water and let it beat into my face. My hands slid up the wall for support as I broke down for the first time in eight years.
Please, please make her be okay. I need her.
Exhausted, I unzipped a bag of clothes, thankful that Garrett had sent Johnnie for them. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, combed my hair, and studied myself in the mirror. My finger traced my puffy eyes, and then I brushed my teeth, plugged in my phone, and set the alarm for five a.m.
I chugged down a bottle of water. God, I was thirsty. I pulled open my bag on the bed in search of some painkillers. My head began to ache and a nerve twitched in my neck. My hand rubbed the tension, but it was no use. I tossed my clothes out of the bag but stopped suddenly. Emily’s green blouse was stuck to my sweater.
I carefully peeled it free and held it up to my nose and took in a deep breath. My fingers balled into tight fists as my eyes stung with tears again. I sank into the mattress, curled into a ball, and hugged her shirt next to my face. I closed my eyes and, for just a brief moment, I pretended she was with me.
There was a knock at the door, and Garrett entered. “Seth, she’s starting to wake.” My eyes popped open to my nightmare that was reality. Sunlight filled the room, and I saw that Garrett was dressed in different clothes.