Arguing with Frank wouldn’t get her anywhere, but how could she stop him from killing Theo? She didn’t even want to ask what he had planned for Jordan. Her baby. If he had no plans for her, she certainly didn’t want to give him any ideas. How could she get out?
As she slid sideways on the dirty mattress, she groaned. “Frank. I’m cold. Is there a blanket? I had one in my car.”
He threw her a disgusted look but left the shack. A minute later, he returned with the blanket she’d used to rest the kitten carrier on and draped it over her. Good. Maybe she could start working on untying her hands and feet without him noticing.Ifshe could keep from falling asleep. The light coming from the window indicated it was getting to be late morning. How long did he expect her to be out for? Whatever he’d given her yesterday had knocked her out for over twelve hours. If she was out that long again, there was nothing to stop Frank from luring Theo here and killing him.
It didn’t matter what she wanted. Sleep took her, anyway.
The next time she opened her eyes, the light was slanting through the windows at a different angle. Definitely lower in the sky. Frank’s head leaned against the back of the chair, and his eyes were closed. Getting some sleep for his busy night of murder?
Without a sound, she moved her hands and began the long, arduous task of undoing the ropes. She’d have to do the feet first and hope getting that undone would loosen the bindings on her hands.
Hours seemed to pass, and every now and then Frank glanced her way. She kept her eyelids lowered and tried to work by touch only, so he wouldn’t suspect she was awake. As time moved forward, she grew more and more concerned that the ropes would stay tight, and Frank would make good on his promise of killing her husband.
Once the light was all but gone outside, Frank lit a small jar candle and started scrolling through her phone.
With a last look in her direction, he tapped his fingers on the screen. After a few minutes, he read what he wrote, smirked, and tapped one last time. Crap. There wasn’t much time for her to escape and warn Theo. The rope was looser on her feet but still not completely off. Whatever Frank had put in her tea was starting to wear off. Still, if she couldn’t get out of the ropes, it wouldn’t matter.
The day had been exceptionally beautiful. Perfect, cloudless sky, temps in the mid-eighties, a soft breeze carrying the salty scent of the ocean all the way to his door. Yet Theo couldn’t enjoy it. Had barely taken a few steps outside in case the house phone rang. His cell sat snugly in his pocket. He pulled it out to check it every ten minutes on the off chance it had gone off and he hadn’t heard it ring or felt the vibration. He was losing his mind.
The sun slid lower and hid behind the trees in his yard. What had been happening with Chelsea all day? Where was she? Was she hurt? Still alive? Why hadn’t he heard anything? Frustrated couldn’t even begin to cover his feelings. Guilt weighed heavy, too. This time not because he hadn’t pushed harder five years ago when she left, though that still banged on the back door, hoping to get in. If he’d only said something a few days ago when she’d confronted him with the bank check. She wouldn’t have gone to the cottage and been abducted.
Or Frank could have waited until today, when he was supposed to be at work, and grabbed Chelsea here. Would he have also taken Jordan or left her alone? The thought of his daughter being harmed slammed into him, causing him to drop into a nearby chair.
Angie had the weekend off and was keeping Jordan busy. Probably staying up late with junk food and too much TV, but at least the little girl was safe.
The sound of a vehicle pulling up sent Theo racing to the front porch. Disappointment ripped through him when he saw it was Rico. Aiden, with news that he’d found Chelsea, was what he really wanted.
“You okay?” Rico climbed out of his truck and joined him on the front porch.
Theo could only shake his head.Okaydidn’t even come close.
“Anything new from Aiden?”
“Not since we talked last.” His friend had checked in periodically throughout the day and had spent a good portion of it driving around the island, looking for Chelsea’s car. It was what Theo wanted to do, also, but he was afraid of missing Chelsea if she somehow got away and came here or tried to call the house.
Pacing back and forth the length of the porch, he clenched his fists. “I’m losing it, Rico. Not sure how much longer I can sit around doing nothing.”
“Does Jordan know what’s going on?”
“Not really. Angie stopped by earlier with her for a short while to grab a few things. I tried to be upbeat, but I’m pretty sure I stink as an actor. Luckily, my cousin puts on a good show.”
“When I spoke with Aiden earlier, he said there was nothing in this Frank’s background that indicated he was violent. Maybe he’s simply being territorial.”
“Then, why all the cloak and dagger of making me think Chelsea was leaving me?”
Rico shrugged. “So you wouldn’t do exactly what you did and call the police?”
“I want her back, Rico,” Theo shouted, hoping his friend knew his yelling wasn’t meant for him.
Rico’s hand on his shoulder told him he knew. “I’ll do anything you need me to in order to get her back.”
“I can’t lose—” His phone vibrated in his pocket as the text tone sounded. Pulling it out quickly, he glanced at it, hoping it wasn’t another friend asking for an update.
Chelsea’s name flashed across the screen, and his thumb swiped automatically.
“What is it?” Rico moved closer.
“Chelsea’s phone.”
