Little Girl Gone (An Afton Tangler Thriller #1)(66)

“If the doll lady works or once worked at Novamed,” Afton said, “then that could be where she first came into contact with Richard.”

“Maybe she developed a thing for him,” Max said. “Or saw you at one of their social functions—you did attend corporate functions, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” Susan wrinkled her nose. “A few. You’re saying this doll lady might have become obsessed with Richard?”

“It’s a possibility,” Max said. “And if she’s seen you in the past—and then she saw you that day at the Skylark Mall . . .” Max grimaced. “Maybe seeing you triggered something in her brain and she took advantage of the situation.”

“Oh my God,” Susan said. “But I . . . I don’t know who the woman was that supposedly harassed him. Um, did you ask Richard?”

“His attorney advised him not to reveal her name.”

“Slocum,” she spit out. “What a weasel. I suppose he’ll represent Richard in the divorce, too.”

“We’re in the process of obtaining a court order and will pay another visit to Novamed’s headquarters tomorrow,” Afton said. “So we can put a name to a face.”

“If I saw her, then I could identify her,” Susan said.

“That’s right. So we’ll interview her and snap a picture,” Max said.

“This is like an endless nightmare,” Susan said.

“I know it is,” Afton said. “But you’re doing well, you’re holding up remarkably well. And we will get your baby back, I know we will.”

“Bless you,” Susan said, just as there was a muffled ring. She fumbled in the pocket of her hoodie and pulled out her cell phone. “Excuse me, this is probably my sister,” she told them. She punched a button, said “Hello?” and listened. Susan’s face, which two seconds earlier had been filled with concern, suddenly clouded over with anger. “Richard,” she spit out. “What do you want? If you’re calling to . . . What?” Susan suddenly stiffened and her eyes filled with fear. “What are you saying? Uh, uh, uh . . .” She dropped the phone to her chest, trembling, looking as if she was about to have a seizure.

Sensing a disaster in the making, Max lunged to Susan’s aid. But all she did was thrust her phone into his outstretched hand.

“Listen to this,” she moaned. “Talk to him!”

“Richard?” Max said into the phone. “This is Detective Montgomery. What’s the problem? What’s going on?”

“Did she get the call?” Richard screamed. “Did she get the same call that I did?”

“Slow down, slow down,” Max said. “What are you talking about?”

But Richard was in full-blown hysterics. “The ransom call! Did the kidnappers call Susan, too?”

“Ransom call?” Max said, which caused Afton to spring up off the sofa.

“Yes,” Richard said. “Just now! Like, fifteen seconds ago.”

“Who called you?” Max asked. He was making urgent motions for Afton to take notes. “Was is a woman?”

“It was a man,” Richard said. “He asked for two million dollars in exchange for Elizabeth Ann.”

“Two million dollars,” Max repeated, more for Afton’s benefit than Susan’s.

“Oh my God,” Susan breathed. “She’s alive.” She made a grab for the phone. “That means she’s alive?”

But Max shrugged Susan away, trying to remain completely focused on what Richard Darden was telling him. “When are you supposed to deliver the money, did he say?”

“He said he’d call back tomorrow with explicit instructions as to time and place,” Richard said. He gave a bitter snort. “He said he wanted to give me enough time to get the money together.”

“Where are you now?” Max asked. He listened carefully, and then said, “Okay, you stay right where you are. I’m going to call Don Jasper and some of the other FBI guys to come over and get you. Don’t make any more calls with that phone. In fact, just hang up and sit tight. Somebody’s going to be there in about five minutes.”

“Okay, okay,” Richard said. “Tell Susan about this, will you?”

“Yes. Just hang up now,” Max said. “And I’ll see you shortly.”

Max pressed the Off button and stood there, holding the phone.

Susan crawled across the sofa toward him. “There’s a ransom demand?” she asked, even though she’d heard everything Max had said. “That means she’s alive, right? That my baby’s still alive?”

“Yes,” Max said. “It’s probably a good sign.” He handed Susan’s phone back to her, and then pulled out his own. I’ve got some critical calls to make. But by the time I finish, there’ll be an officer here to stay with you.”

“Thank you,” Susan whispered.





28


AFTON wiped a sleep crusty from the corner of her eye as she sat at the far end of the table in the big conference room. It was the room where the chief of police made major announcements and the mayor sometimes held press conferences.

As if things hadn’t been crazy enough last night, with hastily assembled meetings that included Don Jasper, Richard Darden, and an entire cast and crew of law enforcement, things were really popping this Thursday morning as well. All the same people were back once again and the room fairly pulsed with a mixture of excitement, officiousness, and frayed nerves.