Chapter Twenty-Three
The streetsof San Francisco had construction zones everywhere. After they’d hung up with Liza, Riley had wondered what in the world they would do for two hours before the meet-up. Her question was answered as they sat at light after light or had to backtrack because Leo, who wasn’t from California, had no clue where he was going, especially when construction took them out of their way.
Mr. Gansett tried to tell him, but it was useless for anyone to give Leo orders. All he’d done was tell his uncle to pound sand in so many words.
“You seemed like a nice guy.” Riley broke the silence, directing her words at Mr. Gansett. “Was all that a show when you fired Taylor and called the lady in London to see if Liza had been there?”
He quickly regarded the men in the seats as though he didn’t want them to hear his answer. “I’d been wanting to fire Taylor for over a month. The woman is useless. But Liza convinced me that Taylor needed saving. She’s a rich girl with family problems that got in the way of her work. As far as the call to Ms. Norton, that wasn’t exactly a show. I didn’t know where Liza was. I believed Taylor did. I was getting close to finding Liza until these two yahoos showed up and ruined things.”
Leo turned right onto another busy street. “You were far from close, Uncle. We had to do something.”
“All you want is to see your lost love,” Mr. Gansett fired back. “Bart’s right. Your father will have your head on a platter if we don’t get that drive back.”
Riley squirmed. Her backside was numb. Her attempt at freeing her hands had failed. To make matters worse, the air in the van was becoming more rancid as if someone had bathed in a bag of onions.
“Did you know Liza had the thumb drive?” Riley asked.
Mr. Gansett braced his elbows on his knees as the van bounced over a bump. “I overheard her on the phone, telling someone she had a thumb drive with evidence that could put Moretti away for a long time.”
“How does Haley fit into this mess?”
Mr. Gansett stabbed a thumb at Bart. “She saw this yahoo kill someone.”
Riley gulped down air as she thought of another nagging question. “Did you know who Liza was when you hired her?”
He dipped his head as he swung his gaze to the front. “My nephew wanted to find Liza a job. He also wanted to keep her close for many reasons.”
“My father,” Leo chimed in, “doesn’t trust easily. He wanted to keep an eye on those who quit after the raid, especially one I slept with. I also wanted her to be happy.”
Oh my.He was in love with Liza. Riley knew that whatever happened, Leo would protect Liza and maybe Riley, and for that, some of her panic waned.
After several turns and two more stoplights, they were entering the garage underneath Stitches, Inc. Riley’s stomach began to spin out of control.
Mr. Gansett seemed deep in thought. Maybe he was planning his next move that had nothing to do with Leo and Bart’s objective.
Nevertheless, three men against Liza wasn’t going to end well. Then, in pure Riley fashion, she thought the worst. What if Liza didn’t show? What if they didn’t get the thumb drive? What if this was the day Riley died?
Hairs shot straight up on her arms as if she’d touched a live electrical wire. She breathed deeply through her nose, doing everything she could not to panic to the point she would pass out. Riley had never been known to do that, but she’d never been kidnapped before.
Then her pulse slowed as if a hard wind blew and took with it the terror hijacking her body. Josh was in the city. Josh would save the day.
The man can’t hear. He limps too.“So what?”Riley silently shouted. Josh would protect those he loved.He doesn’t love you.Okay, he would protect his friends or friends of loved ones.Stop torturing yourself, Riley.
Riley had to love her subconscious.
A phone somewhere up front dinged. Bart glanced down in his lap. Riley couldn’t tell if he was looking at her phone or his.
Mr. Gansett wiped the sweat off his brow. “Park in the spot closest to the door. I’d rather not call attention to us.”
Bart produced a gun from the glove compartment. Riley was officially about to pee in her nice lacy underwear.
A car’s tires squealed on the cement floor of the garage.
Liza immediately came to mind. Or maybe it was Josh. It didn’t matter. Whoever was out there would help.
Silence filled every corner of the van. Until…
“Helllllllp!” Riley screamed at the top of her lungs.
