The Chain(25)

But that will get Kylie killed. Rachel believes that, and he believes her. And Kylie’s safe return is the only thing Pete cares about.

The decision’s been made. If they have to kidnap someone to get her back, he’ll do it. If he has to kill someone to get her back, he’ll do it. If he gets her back and they stick him in a cage for fifty years, it will be easy time, easy because Kylie will be safe.

“This morning they sent me a photo of Kylie to show me that she’s safe,” Rachel says. Shaking, she gives Pete her phone.

Pete looks at the photo of little Kylie blindfolded and sitting on a mattress in a basement. There are few clues to her location that he can see. She’s been given Poland Spring water and she’s got graham crackers, but those you can get anywhere. Kylie does not seem to have been physically abused but of course she must be terrified beyond belief.

He goes to the kitchen and pours himself some coffee. He takes a moment to assess the situation. “We’re ruling out the police? Definitely?” he asks.

“The Chain voice and the woman holding Kylie were both very clear. They said that if I break any of the rules, they’ll have to kill Kylie and move on to another target.”

“How will they know if you’re breaking any of the rules?”

“I don’t know.”

“Have they bugged your house? Have you had a breakin recently or any unusual visitors?”

“No, nothing like that, but I think they hacked my phone earlier today. They knew a police car was behind me on the highway. And they know who I’m calling and what I’m talking about. They seem to know where I am at all times. I think they might have been looking through the phone’s camera. Can they do that?”

Pete nods, turns off Rachel’s iPhone, and puts it in a drawer. He closes her MacBook and places it with the phone. “Sure. You say you bought disposable phones?”

“Yes.”

“Use them for all outgoing calls from now on. And don’t use your computer again. I’ve brought mine. They’ve probably hijacked the camera on your phone and computer and disabled the camera light so that they can see you and you don’t even know it’s on. The stuff that goes on in intel black ops would blow your mind.”

“I covered the camera with a piece of tape.”

“That’s a good idea, but just be aware that they might be listening too. I’ll search the house for bugs. You say you haven’t had a breakin? What about an unscheduled TV-repair guy or plumber or anything like that?”

“Nothing like that.”

“Good. Could just be spyware. Now, what have you told Marty?”

“Nothing so far. He’s in Augusta, playing golf.”

“He’s my little brother and I love him, but Marty’s got a mouth, and if you’re worried about security or someone going to the FBI…”

“Nothing that will risk Kylie,” she says.

Pete takes her cold, trembling hand in his. “It’s going to be OK,” he says.

She nods and looks into his dark, steady eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. We’re going to get her back.”

“Why me, do you think? Why my family?” she asks.

“I don’t know.”

“She said she researched me online. She saw that Marty and I did that Peace Corps project in Guatemala. She saw Harvard and cancer survivor and all my jobs and she thought I seemed like someone who had her act together. I’m not. I’m a loser, Pete. I’m weak.”

“You’re not, you’re—”

“I’ve screwed up my whole life. I invested everything in Marty. I can’t even look after my own daughter!”

“Stop it, Rach.”

“I don’t own a gun. I had to buy one. Today.”

“Another smart move.”

“Today was the first time I’ve ever fired one.”

Pete now takes both of her hands in his. “Trust me, Rachel. You’re handling this. And now I’m here to help you.”

“In the Marines, I know you were an engineer, but did you ever, have you ever had occasion to…”

“Yes,” he says simply.

“More than once?”

“Yes.”

She nods and takes a deep breath. “I drove up to New Hampshire to get the gun and the other supplies. I was nearly seen by someone on the island but I think I gave her the slip.”

“That’s good too.”

“How can anyone carry out any kind of criminal enterprise in New England when everybody knows everybody?”

Pete smiles. “We’ll figure it out, Rach. What else have you done?”

“Here are my targets,” she says, handing Pete the list of vulnerable kids who fit the criteria.

“You want stable parents who look as if they won’t go to the cops and who’ll carry out a kidnapping?” Pete asks.

“They can’t be broke, and they can’t have any connection to cops, journalists, or politicians. And they have to have kids of the right age. No kids with special needs. No diabetics or anything like that.”

“What about kidnapping a spouse instead of a child?” Pete asks.

“You can’t be sure of how someone will feel about a spouse. Look at us. Three divorces between us. But all parents love their kids, right?”