Protecting Her(102)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO


Earlier That Day


RACHEL

It’s four o’clock and I just finished making my remarks about Senator Wingate. Actually, they were Pearce’s remarks. I just read them off a card. It took less than two minutes to read. I’m annoyed I had to stick around all day just to do that. But Pearce really likes this guy and wants him to win so I agreed to do it.

At least I’ll get home at a decent hour thanks to Wingate offering me a seat on his plane. I don’t like private planes, but luckily it’s a short flight, just over an hour.

“I’m not sure when we’re leaving,” Wingate says quietly to me. We’re surrounded by people wanting to talk to him. Reporters. Donors. Lobbyists. “If you want to go without us, we’ll meet you there. The airport has a nice waiting area with some televisions and reading material.”

“Okay. I’ll head over there.”

He pulls out a business card and a pen and writes down the name of the private airport. “Just tell your driver to take you there.”

“Thank you.” I smile as he walks off.

Three members of his staff are going with us on the plane. I met them earlier and see them now scattered around the room, engaged in conversation. At this rate, we won’t fly out on time. The plane is supposed to take off at four forty-five but it’s already after four and there are people lined up waiting to talk to Wingate.

We’re in the same hotel we were at for the party last night, but we’re in a large conference room instead of the ballroom. My phone rings and I go out in the hall to answer it. I thought it might be Pearce calling, but it’s someone else. I don’t recognize the number.

“Hello?”

There’s silence, but then I hear a voice. “Rachel Kensington?” It’s a man’s voice, but it’s distorted, like when someone’s trying to hide their identity.

“Who is this?” I ask, suddenly feeling nervous. Why would someone distort their voice?

“Listen very carefully. You need to follow my instructions exactly as given. If you don’t, you will die.”

I gasp and an icy chill courses through me. “Who is this? Tell me!”

“Go in the women’s restroom, the same one you were in last night, just outside the ballroom. Go in the first stall and—”

“Who is this?” I’m gripping the phone, shaking. “Is this a joke? Because it is not funny. I’m hanging up!”

“You’ll die,” the voice says in its distorted tone.

“Why do you keep saying that?” My words are breathy and almost incoherent because I’m shaking so much. “Who is this? Please. Tell me.”

“This is not a joke. If you want to live, if you want to see your family again, you will listen to me. You will follow my instructions.”

I swallow hard and nod. “Okay. Go ahead.”

“As soon as we hang up, you will go in the women’s restroom. You will go in the first stall, closest to the door. In the stall, you will find a backpack. Inside it are clothes, shoes, and a black wig. You will put these items on, then stuff the clothes and shoes you’re wearing into the backpack and leave it in the stall where you found it. Do NOT call anyone. Leave your cell phone in the backpack. Then walk to the hotel entrance. Do not act frightened or rushed. You must act normal. Walk at a normal pace. Do not draw attention to yourself. Do not talk to anyone, other than the valet. He’ll ask if you need a car. Tell him you’ve already called for one. Then look for a black limo with a driver wearing a chauffeur’s hat, a black suit, and a red bow tie. Do not get into any other limo. Those are your instructions. You must leave right now.”

“I’m not doing this! I don’t even know who you are!”

“Do you want to live?”

“Yes! Of course!”

“Then do as I say. And hurry. We’re running out of time.”

“No. I can’t do this. I don’t believe what you’re telling me. Why would I listen to you? You could be planning to kill me yourself. Or kidnap me.” I’m shaking even more now. I see people leaving the conference room and wonder if I should go up to them and tell them what’s happening, or go find a security guard and ask him for help.

“You need to trust me, Rachel.”

“How can I trust someone I don’t even know?”

“You know me. And I know you.”