She turned and scanned the room, looking for Lucy. Earlier, when they’d been at the table, she’d noticed a waiter hovering nearby who’d looked familiar. There was something about his eyes that had niggled at her memory. Obviously, she must have seen him at one of these charity events before but hated to admit she normally didn’t pay close attention to the serving staff. Not that she considered them beneath her, because she didn’t. Her goal of sponsoring this event was so that anyone, from a homeless person to a CEO, would have the best cardiac care for their children. The simple truth was that the waitstaff didn’t wear name tags, and there were literally dozens of them at each event.
Lucy was still at the table, swinging her legs back and forth, and she looked bored to tears. She was about to suggest they head over to keep her daughter company when Grady’s phone rang.
With a frown, he pulled it from his pocket. He eyed the screen, then said, “It’s Agent Braun.”
“Maybe Curtis confessed?” As much as she enjoyed Grady’s company, she was anxious for the danger to be over. “Answer it.”
“This is McFarland,” he said into the phone. If they weren’t standing in the middle of the ballroom, she’d have asked him to put the call on speaker.
She held her breath as Grady’s expression turned to stone. Then he turned toward her, shaking his head. Her heart sank. Apparently, Curtis Handover hadn’t confessed.
But that didn’t mean he wasn’t still guilty.
“Thanks for letting us know.” Grady waited another beat, then added, “I agree that reviewing the video is the best way to find them. Lauren and I would appreciate another update in the morning.”
A moment later, he’d pocketed the cheap phone. Obviously, the news from the FBI wasn’t good. “Just tell me, Grady. What happened?”
“A number of things.” He sighed. “Curtis Handover has an alibi for the time frame of the Ariel’s abduction. They also searched his home and his car for a weapon and other evidence but didn’t find anything to tie him to the recent shooting attempts against us. He finally agreed to talk to them. While he insists he holds Nelson responsible for his half brother’s death, he isn’t angry at you.” Grady raked a hand through his wavy dark hair in a frustrated gesture. “He’s not our guy.”
“Maybe his accomplice is the one with the weapon?” She hated knowing the kidnapper might still be out there, intending to harm her daughter. “We saw both men standing outside the SUV when we escaped in the crop-duster plane.”
Grady shrugged. “Anything is possible, but it sounds like Agent Braun has decided to believe Curtis when he says he’s not involved. They let him go, as they had nothing to hold him on. And as you heard, they’re planning to resume the task of reviewing toll camera footage to find the black SUV with tinted windows with the partial plate we’ve provided.”
“That could take forever.”
“I know. But don’t worry. They’ll find him.” Grady’s words lacked the confidence she was accustomed to hearing from him. “I’ll call Griff later, once we get home.”
“Okay.” She tried to push the cloud of depression away. “I guess it’s a good thing we kept Lucy with us tonight.”
“Yeah.” He nodded toward the bar. “Would you like more ginger ale?”
“No thanks.” She answered absently, then added, “Although Lucy would probably like one.”
“I’m happy to head up to the bar,” Grady offered. He winked, his expression lightening despite the distressing turn of events. “It might be fun to introduce myself to your buddy Ethan.”
“Please don’t bother. Knowing Ethan, he’ll be incredibly rude to you.” She turned to scan the room. “Wait a minute, where is Lucy? I don’t see her sitting at the head table anymore. She was there a few minutes ago.”
“Maybe she went to get another ginger ale?” Grady suggested. “Or she could have gone to the ladies’ room.”
“I told her to stay at the table.” She pushed past Grady to head in that direction. She understood Lucy was bored with the formal dinner environment, but that didn’t mean her daughter should be wandering around the ballroom bothering the guests.
A man in a waiter uniform was striding toward a door near the far side of the room. Lauren frowned as she caught a hint of a red dress.
Lucy’s dress?
She reached out to grab Grady’s arm. “I think that waiter kidnapped Lucy!”
His expression turned grim as he reached for his weapon. “Stay here. I’ll go after them.”
No way was she staying put. As Grady broke into a run, dodging guests as he headed toward the side door where Lauren had assumed the kitchen staging area was located, she lifted her skirt and hurried to keep up.
Praying with all her heart that the kidnapper wouldn’t hurt Lucy before Grady could get there.
14
Weapon in hand, Grady bolted toward the door where the waiter had disappeared with Lucy, mentally kicking himself for lowering his guard. Just because the ballroom was full of rich people didn’t mean it was a safe environment. He should have anticipated Curtis Handover wasn’t their kidnapper.
If anything bad happened to Lucy, he’d never forgive himself.
