The blond man was watching them, not impatient or angry, just faintly puzzled, as if trying to understand what he was witnessing.
“Evie. It’s okay.” Tommy gave her that same reassuring smile as he gently pried his hand from hers. “I promise. Go home. I’ll be in touch soon.”
She let him go, her fingers closing around the keys as he turned away and walked toward the stranger. The man met her eyes once more, the smile returning—quiet, polite, almost kind.
“I have to ask that you give me your phone,” he said, holding out a massive hand. Evie hesitated, clutching it tighter. She didn’t want to give it up, but when the man beckoned again, impatience flickering across his face, she pulled it from her pocket.
“You aren’t going to hurt him, are you?” she asked softly. She already knew the answer; those eyes, an icy green blue, told her he was going to do more than hurt him.
“Not today, little one,” he said, the faintest edge of impatience in his tone as he motioned again.
Evie took a step forward, but Tommy stopped her, taking the phone gently from her hand. He walked it over himself. “You don’t go near her,” he said firmly, glaring up at the man. “She’s not part of this. She has nothing to do with it.”
The big man chuckled, a surprisingly warm sound given his size and demeanor. “I said I would not harm her. Don’t worry. Come on, Sloane, I haven’t got all day.”
Evie’s chest tightened as Tommy’s eyes narrowed, then softened when he looked back at her. “Go home,” he said quietly. “Stay out of this, okay?”
“Tommy…” She bounced anxiously on the balls of her feet. She didn’t want to let him go.
“I promise I’ll see you soon.” He gave her one last reassuring smile before turning to face the stranger. “Let’s go.” His voice was steady, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands curled slightly into fists.
Evie forced herself to breathe, memorizing every detail she could: the man’s height, his hair, his eyes, the way his lips curved faintly, almost kindly.
“Wait ten minutes,” the man said gently, gesturing for Tommy to walk ahead. “Then you can be on your way.” She nodded numbly. He had chosen this spot carefully, the trees blocked the road, hiding whatever vehicle he’d brought. If she ran or followed, she’d never get far, and she knew he’d notice.
So, she stayed still. She was the only shot they had of the police knowing what happened and looking for Tommy as soon as possible, she stayed very still, listening closely as their footsteps crunching on the snow faded away.
Chapter Three: BOLO
Evie heard an engine start a few minutes later. She waited, counting the seconds until the sound of the car faded down the lane toward the east. It was headed toward the Eastern Entrance, the closest exit from where they’d been ambushed, and one that fed straight onto New York State Route 27. The highway ran through Brooklyn and Queens, all the way to Long Island. It also passed right by JFK Airport.
Her stomach twisted. They wouldn’t risk a commercial flight… unless the kidnapper had access to a private plane.
She groaned and broke into a run, snow crunching under her boots as she sprinted back toward the Porsche. Sliding into the driver’s seat, she fired up the engine and brought up the GPS, typing with shaking hands.
Nearest police precincts.
A map popped up. The closest one was near the main entrance, which was on the complete opposite side of the cemetery. “Perfect,” she muttered, throwing the car into gear. Mentally thanking Tommy for insisting she learn to drive a standard, she followed the route the GPS laid out, driving as fast as she dared on the icy streets.
She barely stopped the car before she was out, parking crookedly in front of the precinct and racing up the steps. The doors banged open as she burst inside, shoving through the line to the front desk.
“Help, please! He took him! He’s been kidnapped!”
Heads turned; people grumbled about her cutting in line, but she didn’t care. The woman at the reception desk went from irritated to alert in a heartbeat, raising a hand to stop Evie’s tumble of words.
“Whoa, whoa, slow down.” The receptionist’s tone was calm but firm as she stood. “Take a breath. Who’s been kidnapped?”
“Tommy,” Evie gasped. “He took Tommy!” Her voice pitched high as tears finally spilled over. Panic, fear, guilt, everything she’d been holding back crashed over her. “Please,” she choked out, “I need to speak to someone.”
“Okay, just take a deep breath.” The woman reached for her phone. “Is Tommy your son? How old is he?”
Evie shook her head quickly, taking the breath she was told to take, her panic fighting every instinct to stay calm. “No, not my son. Tommy Sloane.”
The name dropped like a stone.
The reception area, which had already gone quiet, fell into stunned silence. Everyone knew who Tommy Sloane was, CEO of one of the largest tech companies in the world, practically a hometown hero in Brooklyn. He’d refused to move Sloane Technologies out west with the rest of the industry, insisting on keeping the headquarters in New York. He funded schools, hospitals, and first responders, always saying that giving back to the city that raised him mattered.
“Okay…” The receptionist blinked, pulling herself together. “Let’s get you a detective.” She picked up her phone and spoke quietly, her tone suddenly brisk and professional.
