I didn't have the strength or energy to argue, so I did as she asked. We were barely able to fasten the helmets and seatbelts before we were moving. I soon felt as though we were flying or floating above the ground rather than riding on it. Our speed was obvious, though, as the trees blurred around us and the wind whipped at the bits of hair not covered by my helmet. I had to admit it was exciting.
16 A Visit from Scrooge
I didn't realize I was smiling when we pulled up behind the Visitor Center. It took me a minute to pull myself together and climb out. Stacy was out of her seat before me and bent over.
"You aren't sick, are you?" I asked as I stored the helmet, let the seatbelt slide back into its hiding place, and slipped from my seat.
"Heck no," she said, turning to face me. "I was laughing! I can't believe this day came complete with a thrill ride. Can we go again, please, please?" She asked like a kid.
"It was amazing," I added. "We have the press to address, or I'd go for another round."
"There's always another day," Gerry said. "I'll be baaaaack!"
As we watched, Gerry zipped away and raised the front end of her bike like she was riding Lone Ranger's stallion.
"Wait until I tell Shirley about this," Stacy said.
"Can I go next time?" I spun around when I heard her voice.
"Carol! What are you doing here?" I asked, running to hug her. Stacy ran past us, waving, on her way to find Shirley.
"I thought you might need my help. I had no idea I'd find you taking flying lessons," she laughed. "I have news for you, but Shirley just told me that there are lots of new developments since we last spoke."
"Let's talk while I fix my hair! I can't believe you drove all the way out here."
"I didn't drive. I came here on a helicopter," Carol replied. "I'm a woman of means, now, thanks to my godmother."
"How long have you been waiting? Why didn't you call me?" I asked as we popped into the restroom.
"I've only been here a few minutes. Shirley told me you were on your way, so I didn't call. If I had called, you weren't in any position to take a call. Do you have time to compare notes in case I have information that you can use?" Then Carol looked around. "I also brought you this."
When she opened the bag she carried, I almost fainted. It was full of cash.
"Merry Christmas! I assumed whoever took Max was going to demand money. I spoke to Rita about what it would take to get the company to put up money if we received a ransom demand. She wasn't sure but described what she thought it would take. When Rita told me Charlie was hospitalized, I knew the jig was up. Max would be dead before all the board members and lawyers could be polled and pulled together to make a decision."
"I was worried about the same thing. Jack thinks he can get the money from the county."
"He didn't give you that 'don't cave in to the demands of kidnappers' line?"
"No, he didn't, but I'm guessing that's because he's confident he can nab the young idiot behind the plot."
"It's got to be Bobby Bush—I found a photo of Kenneth and Bobby talking in front of the golf course."
"Yep. I gave Jack an hour to get the money, then I was going to do what you've already done. You saved me the step of going to Rita. I figured if she couldn't get it from the company, Jack and I could borrow two million dollars until Rita could figure it out."
"Max could just write a check. This is so upsetting," Carol said. "If Max had family, they could have gotten the money for him."
"We as good as his family!"
"You bet!" Carole said. "I had no idea you only needed two million. I brought five."
"We need to lock you in Shirley's office until Jack can get it from you. That' if it comes to that," I said. I was only half-kidding as we came out of the restroom.
"Shirley!" I called out.
"Does your friend need something?"
"Yes. Take us to the most secure place in the Visitor Center," I said in a quiet voice.
"Um, okay, should I ask you why?" Shirley scrutinized Carol as she asked me that.
"Probably not."
"Well, I can tell you unequivocally the safest place is Max's office. Follow me."
Shirley showed us how to bolt the doors from the inside, how to lower the blinds, and where to find a panic button that could have security at the door in less than a minute.
"If for some reason you can't wait that long, there's a panic room. Max could gain access to it with the wave of his hand, but if you think you're going to need it, I'll give you a code to use." Shirley eyed the bag Carol clutched.
"We're not going to be assaulted, are we, or do they just want what's in Carol's bag?"
"No assault." I left it at that.
"I'll give you the code," Shirley said. "Next time, I'm going to suggest Max hold his meetings with dignitaries in here and show them around using a video tour."
My phone rang, and I caught my breath. When I answered the call, a voice said, "Georgie Shaw?"
"Yes."
"Check your messages. Do you have our money?"
"Yes. If I'm satisfied with what's on the video clip." That was it. The call ended. Jack was monitoring calls to my phone, but I wondered if he'd been able to do anything in so few seconds. When I clicked on the video attached to a message, I gasped. It was Max, but it was obvious someone had hit him. He had a black eye!
"Georgie, I probably don't look my best, but I don't need any reconstruction, except maybe on a chipped tooth. It doesn't hurt but looks funny. I don't know what the little guy's been telling you, but don't let them bushwhack you. Stand your ground, keep strong, and don't let the bald-faced liar and his aforemantioned sidekick delude you into believing I won't get out of this. Don't panic either. My accommodations are uh newly, um, sorry, I mean roomy, especially when it's just the two of us."
Then it was cut off. I was a bit shocked that, despite assuring me he was all right, he sounded rattled. His message was almost gibberish. When I ran it through my mind, though, words popped out.
"Bushwhacked!" I exclaimed.
"Chipped tooth! Bald-faced liar… a-foreman-tioned," Carol responded.
"What does it mean?" Shirley asked.
"He's telling us he's with the two people we figured were involved—Bobby Bush and the dead man's foreman who fired him last week and shot him this morning," I replied.
"I'd say wherever he's being held, there's only one person with him some of the time," Carol added. "His accommodations can't be roomy, can they?"
"No, but it could be newly-built—not reconstruction, but construction."
"Why he could be right under our very nose. You can't have newer construction than we have on the property."
"If they were right under our nose, security would pick up Max and the 'little guy' using their I.D. tags."
"Not if they were in a 'don't panic' room," Shirley quipped. "I've got it now, don't I?"
"Shirley, I love you!" Carol, can you call Jack and tell him to ask for help finding newly constructed hotels or homes on the property with panic rooms. I've got to go stand my ground and keep strong in front of the press."
"Groundskeeper," Carol snapped. "Okay, I'm calling Jack, and as soon as you both leave, I'm locking myself in. I won't open it until Jack comes for the mo…uh, message. Can you send the video clip to me, please?"
"Done!"
"Money, message, whatever," Shirley added as we heard the lock click. As we walked toward the lobby, we passed Shirley's office, and I heard an unimaginable sound. "Was that a dog barking?"
"Jessica must be back," I said, opening the door. When I called her name, Jessica didn't answer me, but Anastasia bounded toward me and stood on her hind legs, licking my face.
"Oh, that is her dog. I saw her putting the beautiful creature in her car when she left after lunch. Who owns the gorgeous kitties?"
"What?" I asked as I stepped into the office. Miles and Ella were sitting on Shirley's desk.
"How did you get in here?" Miles be
llowed, and Ella mewed. "I wish I had time to cuddle you, I said as I picked up Miles and then Ella. They were squirmy.
"Can you check to see if the press is here?" I asked.
"Sure, I'll be right back."
While Shirley was gone, I searched the room for any evidence that Jessica, or anyone else, had recently been in Shirley's office. I couldn't believe I hadn't asked Jack for news about her. I immediately called Frank.
"Pick up! Pick up!" I chanted. When his phone went to voice mail, I left a message. "Frank, Anastasia's in my office. Is Jessica back in New Arcadia? Please call me."
The faintest of movement came from near the ground. Anastasia and the cats darted toward the source. A panel had opened, and Tidbit slid into the room.
"Did you do bring them here?" I asked. In response, Tidbit spun around and flashed his lights. He reached out with one of his appendages and tugged at my sleeve. Anastasia and the cats were sitting next to him, watching me.
As the tap-tapping of Shirley's high heels grew closer, I turned to hear what she had come to tell me. She swung the door open and stepped into the room. She wasn't alone. I glanced at the floor where that panel had opened. It was closed. The pets and bot were gone.
"You're on in fifteen minutes. Carol says everything's set on this end, and Jack will be here shortly. Stacy is mingling with members of the press, and she has them eating out of the palm of her hand—those chocolates are always a winner."
"Will you please give us a few minutes?" Sid asked, cutting her off.
"Of course! What was I thinking, going on and on…"? She was barely out in the hall when Sid shut the door.
"What were you thinking? That's what I want to know!" Sid didn't shout, but he'd raised his voice. I considered that to be an effort to intimidate me.
"What was I thinking about what?" I asked, playing dumb. I had a couple of ideas, but I preferred to make him tell me.
"Why didn't you notify me about the rescue of company employees, the release of four kidnapped corporate guests, and the fact that Charlie has been hospitalized?"
"I've been busy, Sid." I wished now that my furry guests had stuck around. I can't imagine that Anastasia wouldn't snarl at the tone in Sid's voice. I raised my chin and folded my arms. "Besides, Charlie isn't dead. If I needed someone in the company to assist me, I could have gone to him. He's only a phone call away. And he is still Max's 'second' until you replace him. I understand you've scheduled a meeting for tomorrow morning to consider his position."
Sid paused, but I could tell he was growing angrier. That worried me. He stood between me and the door.
Georgie, will you knock it off! I chided myself. He may be a schemer, but he's not a crazed killer. I still scooted back a step or two. Then I decided that if push came to shove, literally, I could scream bloody murder and attract plenty of attention. Fear turned to anger.
"You need to keep your voice down and your tone respectful with press members in the room looking for a scoop. While we're still on the subject of 'what were you thinking,' why didn't you call to tell me you'd arranged a meeting? We discussed the possibility, and as a Vice President, I should have been consulted, or at least notified that you'd done so."
"As you said, you've been busy. I didn't believe you'd have the time to join us."
"Nor did you want me to argue against having the meeting or its goal. How could you take advantage of Max's absence to replace Charlie Magnum with Eric Sandler if I maneuvered against you or found a way to block it?" The mention of Eric Sandler's name surprised Sid a little, but then he shrugged.
"Okay, so what? It's about time we face the facts. Max wasn't in the group who were rescued or among the hostages that were released. We can't function without leadership now that Charlie's behavior has become unacceptable because he's abusing steroids and he's been hospitalized. I checked, and you have no authority to act in Charlie's place. If anything, as the board chair, I'm in charge!"
"Wow! I got your scheme all wrong, huh? I wondered why you'd try to sell a newcomer as Max's successor! With Charlie not doing well and Eric such an unknown, I doubt you could get support for Eric Sandler. I wasn't going to be in the room, which would appear to be a lack of interest on my part. That would remove me as a serious candidate. Gosh, let's see what could happen next? You'd let it drop that as board chair you're 'next in line.' In a humble tone, I'm sure, and you'd put your name forward in a desire to settle what has become such an urgent matter."
"I won't have to nominate myself. Unlike Eric, I do have a friend or two on the board." With that, Sid smiled and turned to leave.
"There's just one teeny-weeny hitch in your plans, Sid."
"Says who?" I was waiting for him to add a Bah! Humbug! Scrooge had come calling.
"Max is alive. I have proof. With a bit of luck, he'll join you at the meeting in the morning. Oh, yeah, wait until the other board members discover you've been promoting Eric Sandler, whose disturbed nephew happens to one of the people who kidnapped Max. No one has announced that Charlie's hospitalization has anything to do with drugs. I wonder how you knew that?" I was fighting mad now and took a step toward Sid.
"How dare you accuse me of wrongdoing!" he said, raised his hand to slap me, but pushed me instead. I'm not sure what would have happened if Shirley hadn't pounded on the door.
"You're on, Georgie!" Sid turned to open the door. I opened my mouth to tell Shirley not to security hold Sid until Jack arrived.
I didn't have time to say a word as metallic appendages grabbed me from behind and slid me into the opening big enough to accommodate my fifty-something behind. A human hand, covering my mouth, kept me from shouting.
17 Right Under Our Noses
I was half-dragged partway down a chute like a bag of laundry. When Tidbit let go, and the human hand was removed from my mouth, I slid the rest of the way. At the bottom of the slide, I stood and looked around. Anastasia woofed and wagged her tail. Miles and Ella rubbed against my legs.
The area around us was bright, with chutes and tubes everywhere. Tubes overhead were closed, and I could see packaged items zooming through a transparent substance like glass or plastic. Shelves were laden with items used by hotel housekeeping, the kitchen, and who knew what else.
"Welcome to the central distribution storage and delivery system," Hardy said. "I wish we had time to explore. It's another of Max's amazing feats—accomplished with the help of his Innovation and Engineering Division, of course." Dressed in a hoodie and jeans, Hardy bowed as he'd done in his harlequin outfit.
"Hardy, you get us out of here this minute. The press is waiting for me, and when I don't show up, Shirley's going to report my disappearance to Jack. Security will be tracking both of us."
"Exactly what I was hoping would happen. It's also the reason we need to hurry. I don't want your friend, Jessica, or our friend, Max, to be hurt or killed by Bobby or anyone else. If Bobby did it, it would be by doing something dumb. 'Sedgy' is a different story."
"They've kidnapped Jessica?" I asked. "How do you know that? How come Anastasia's roaming around free?"
"I'll answer your questions, but we've got to get moving. Come on!"
"Stout, where are you?" The light bounced around because the walls and shelves that rose from floor to ceiling were painted white. Hardy must have seen me squinting as I searched for an escape.
"The light charges the bots' batteries. Some of them are 'sunning' themselves up there, see?" He pointed to a cluster of bots in various shapes and sizes on a top shelf near us. Once I spotted them, I looked around again and could see bots everywhere.
"Are their humans in here too?" I asked.
"Of course, there are. What are we?"
"Not funny. What's with the music?" Realizing that we were bathed in music as well as light, I hoped peppering Hardy with questions would distract him and give me a better chance to clear my head.
I was tempted to urge Miles, Ella, and Anastasia to scamper away and then run after them. With my luck, I'd fall do
wn a hole and still be Alice in Wonderland, only more lost than I already was. Besides, I wasn't sure they'd do anything I told them to do. Hardy was petting Anastasia's soft ears, and Miles sat on top of Tidbit. Ella was still at my feet, begging me to pick her up, which I did. My sweet Siamese reached up and patted my face.
"The bots love music—especially Christmas music. They're like Santa's elves!"
"How can you tell?" I asked, ignoring another of Hardy's lame attempts at humor.
"Okay, so this is cool. I'll show you, but it's the last delay. Hang on a second," Hardy used a handheld device, and the music stopped. The bots paused, and then you could hear tiny chirps and clanking sounds. Lights began to flash all around us. When he started the music again, things went back to "normal," if that's what it was. "We can't hear it with the music going, Georgie, but there's a hum coming from them. They're smart and learn from each other. Once I teach Tidbit a new word or sign, he passes it on. I know 'he' isn't correct, but I find myself using the pronoun rather than referring Tidbit as 'it.'"
"Hmm. I do too," I responded, realizing I found 'it' a difficult way to speak of a creature with a name: even one that resembled a larger, more agile, and versatile version of a robot floor cleaner.
As Hardy had carried out his demonstration, Stout had arrived. Much like SDV that had carried our luggage, this one was big enough to carry all of us. When Hardy gave Stout a pat, Miles bellowed and hopped into the carrier. Ella wriggled free, jumped from my arms, and hunkered down next to Miles. Anastasia was next, then Tidbit climbed up the side and into the SVD. When Tidbit flashed his lights, the side near where Hardy and I stood slid down, and a bar, like a tailgate step, appeared.
Hardy, and I, stepped onto the bar and sat in the hauler, with our feet resting on the bar. Another bar slid in front of us, like those on rides in the theme park.
"Hang on, we've got to hurry." Tidbit made a little sound. When I looked over my shoulder, the pets were all strapped in next to him. Burly started out slowly, then sped up. We were soon moving at a good clip. We'd gone some distance in silence when the SDV halted.
A Merry Christmas Anniversary Mystery Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery #9 (Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Series) Page 15