“—says that Will is slowly but surely running the business into the ground.”
Savannah was silent for a minute before finally admitting, “Harshly put, but basically true. To use Will’s own words, this kidnapping couldn’t have come at a worse time.” She looked up just as Will approached and raised her voice. “I was just filling Susan in on what’s happening.”
Susan stood and quickly went to brush her cheek to his. Lightly grasping his arms, she said, “How’re you doing, Will?”
“I’ve been better.”
“Meggie will be fine. You have to believe that. She’ll be fine.”
He said nothing.
Uncomfortable with the silence, Susan hurried to fill the void. “Savannah and her crew are the best. If anyone can foil this thing, they can.”
“I wish they’d make their move,” he said. “The waiting is unbearable.”
Savannah rose to join her sister. “It could be a while longer,” she warned. “They’ll pick their own time.”
Susan, who had assumed from what Savannah told her on the phone that she would be back in her own home by the next day, eyed her sister with caution. In a deceptively light tone, she asked, “How much time? What’s the range for kidnappings?”
“It could be a day, a week, or more,” Savannah said. She had answered honestly, but the immediate winces from both Will and Susan made her soften the blow. “Actually, in a state this size, it will probably be less than more.”
“Why is that?” Susan asked with an indignance that covered up her growing fear. She sensed she had been snookered into something more extensive than she had originally thought.
“Because there’s less room to hide.”
“What if they leave the state?”
“I doubt they will. They’ll want to stay close for the sake of phone calls and ransom pickups. In an area like this, which can be pretty well canvased, the longer they hold her, the better our chances of finding them. They’ll want to get their money and run.”
“We hope,” Will murmured.
“Damn right, we do,” Susan drawled. Catching a look from Savannah, she added a quick, “But I’ll be here as long as you need me.” Then she paused and said more drolly, “Of course, you may have second thoughts after a day. I’m a lousy cook.” When Will didn’t crack a smile, she said, “And I’m a worse housekeeper than Meggie.” Still no smile. She looked at Savannah and muttered, “This isn’t my day.” Hoisting her overnight bag to her shoulder, she walked to the staircase, dropped the bag, and headed toward the dining room liquor cabinet.
CHAPTER4
“Suse,” Savannah said softly as she came up from behind.
Susan didn’t turn. Looking tense but elegant with her shoulders straight beneath the fox fur, she continued to pour her drink. “I need some backbone, Savannah. I’m not as used to situations like this as you are.” Without capping the bottle, she tipped the glass to her lips.
“I’m not used to situations like this, either,” Savannah said. “I’ve only worked on one other kidnapping, and the victim in that case was a total stranger. I’m emotionally involved here, which complicates things. But I still have to function, and I need a clear mind for that.” She paused for a breath. “I need you to function with me.”
Susan sighed in relief as the liquid hit her stomach. “There. Better.”
“How can it be better, when it hasn’t reached your bloodstream yet?”
“Just knowing it’s getting there makes it better. Believe me.” Susan took the offensive before Savannah could harp on her drinking. “What have you gotten me into? When you called on the phone, you told me everything was under control.”
“I told you Megan had been kidnapped.”
“And that Will had a note, that he was going to pay, that everything was going to be all right, but that he just needed someone with him in the house for a day. Now you tell me that no one’s called, that Will doesn’t have the money, that this could go on for a while.” Her jaw was set. “I told you that I don’t do well under pressure.”
“You’ll do fine if you set your mind to it. I need you. Will needs you. Megan needs you. All we’re asking is that you stay here and be calm. You can do that, Susan.”
With a brittle laugh, Susan took another swallow of her drink. “You never change. It’s incredible. The eternal optimist. You were that way when we were kids, and you’re still that way. I’d have thought you’d be jaded by now. You see the darkest side of life day in, day out, and still you expect the best of people.”
“What’s my alternative?”
“Being realistic. Some people have limitations that you don’t have.”
