Lauren satfor a full five minutes before she pushed out of the car. There was no sign of the police yet, so she followed Grady’s footsteps and ran across the road. The red-brick rental house was cute enough. Sandwiched between the apartment buildings, she could see why the owners rented the place out.
There was no question in her mind that Nelson was involved in this. He’d likely convinced his girlfriend, Karla, to cooperate to get the money. Then once he was released from prison, they could go anywhere in the world to be together.
When she got closer to the narrow gap between the buildings, her eyes widened in shock when she realized Grady was scaling the house with one hand on each side of the narrow gap, along with both feet also propped on either sider. With his hands and feet braced on each building, he was painstakingly making his way up to the second-story window. The one with a light glowing from inside.
She held her breath as Grady used his incredible strength to move each foot, then each hand to get higher. When he reached the window, he leaned over to look inside. Then he lightly tapped on the window, drawing someone’s attention.
Lucy? Had he found her daughter?
Lauren risked a glance toward the street. Still no police response. Turning her attention back to Grady and the second-story window, her eyes widened when she realized the window was opening.
Then Lucy’s head poked out.
Lauren swallowed a gasp, watching as Grady spoke softly to Lucy.
She moved closer. “Grady? I’m here. Hand Lucy down to me.”
He looked down at her, then nodded. “Move back, Lucy. I’m coming in.”
He was? She wanted to protest as Lucy’s head disappeared. In a swift movement, Grady propped himself up by his legs only until he could grab the windowsill with both hands. He pulled himself up and then climbed inside.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized he was safe. Then he leaned out to look down at her. “Ready?”
“Yes.” She lifted her arms as high as she could.
Grady helped Lucy out of the window, holding her daughter firmly as he gently lowered her out.
“I’m scared,” Lucy whimpered.
“I know, but I’m here and so is your mom. We won’t let you fall.” Grady’s voice was reassuring. Lauren braced herself for the impact. Getting Lucy out of there before the police arrived would be amazing. If the little girl didn’t fall and break her legs. “Easy now,” Grady murmured, holding Lucy beneath her arms and lowering her down.
Lauren could feel Lucy’s shoes touch the palms of her hands. Lauren’s cheerleading days were a long time ago, so she didn’t have the strength or agility as when she was in high school. Then Grady lowered Lucy a little more, leaning so far out the window now that she feared he’d fall. Lauren wrapped her arms around Lucy’s thighs, holding tight.
“Can you brace your hands on the wall?” Lauren whispered.
“Yes.” Lucy’s voice was strained.
“Grady, let her go.” When he did, her muscles bunched with the effort of holding Lucy. But the little girl leaned against the wall, easing the strain. Lauren slowly lowered herself to the ground until Lucy’s feet touched the earth.
They’d done it! Lucy was safe! She glanced up at the window, expecting Grady to be climbing out to join them.
But he wasn’t there.
“Come, Lucy!” Lauren took her daughter’s hand and led her out to the street where she’d left the rental. A police car rolled silently down the street toward them. She lifted her arm to wave, then continued taking Lucy to the vehicle. “Get in the back.” She opened the rear passenger-side door. “The police are going to help arrest the men who took you.”
“Stay with me,” Lucy begged.
She hesitated, glancing back at the house. Grady was inside with at least two kidnappers, maybe three if Karla was in there too. The police cruiser pulled in behind them. “Lucy, I need to warn the police that Grady is in there. Then I’ll be back, okay?”
Lucy nodded, shivering. The little girl had been taken from the ballroom and didn’t have a coat. She closed the door and hurried over to the police officers who were getting out of the car.
“I’m Lauren Chandler. My daughter Lucy was kidnapped by the men inside that home.” She gestured to the red-brick house. “Grady McFarland was able to crawl inside to rescue Lucy. She’s safe now. But he’s still inside. And I’m sure the kidnappers are armed.”
“Get into the car. We’ll take over from here,” the officer said.
“Okay, but don’t shoot Grady. He’s not one of the kidnappers.” She was afraid the cops would go in with guns blazing.
A second squad arrived with two more officers. The four of them talked for a moment before splitting into two teams to approach the house.
