The morning of Grant’s adoption, Kate went to pick up his watch. She had also made an appointment for Gus to be groomed. Ginny was still on her honeymoon, and Brandy was in charge of the shop. She gave Kate a dirty look and didn’t say anything to her.
Why is Brandy so upset?Kate wondered. She had clearly landed Grant.
Kate silently handed the dog over, and one of the groomers took him to the back. She picked up the watch, and since Gus wasn’t finished with his appointment yet, she decided to stop at the French bistro to pick up her favorite quiche. She needed a pick-me-up after the stress in her life. After she had collected Gus and was on the way back to the car, she was holding the boxes with the quiche and the watch while fumbling in her purse for her keys.
“Excuse me, miss,” said someone with a familiar voice.
“Alan, what are you doing here?” she demanded. “Stay away from me, or I’m calling the police.”
He stepped out of the car, and Gus barked furiously.
“I couldn’t help but notice you have the famous watch,” he said. “I was wondering if I could have a look, then I’ll be on my way.”
“Absolutely not,” Kate said, trying to maneuver around him to unlock her car. Before she could, a truck pulled up, and a large man jumped out and grabbed Kate.
Are they trying to steal the watch?she thought, panicked.
She tried to scream, but Alan forced his hand over her mouth, and she and Gus were thrown into the truck. Kate hoped someone had seen or heard her. Surely the Holbrooks would realize she was missing.
They drove for hours. Kate didn’t know where they were going. They stopped, and someone dragged her out of the vehicle. Gus whimpered, and she was roughly tied up. She sat in the darkness for what felt like an eternity. She dozed off and was awoken by voices some time later.
“You were supposed to take the dog, not the girl. Why did I even waste my time trying to help you, Professor Von Breuer?” Kate heard a woman’s voice. It was Danielle. “You stupid, worthless, weak worm.Men.”
“I wanted the watch,” Alan hissed to her. “You promised. That watch belonged to my grandfather.”
“You don’t want it for sentimental reasons,” Danielle scoffed. “You want to sell it to your Hong Kong buyer.”
Kate heard Alan kick something.
“It doesn’t matter,” Danielle stated. “Walter ruined my plans to be wealthy for the last time. He’ll pay a ransom for Grant once we capture him, and after the money clears the account, we shoot Grant, and that’s it. I don’t need billions. A few hundred million will be enough to disappear.”
Kate tried not to scream. She wondered if Danielle knew she could hear them talking through the vent.
Gus whimpered.
“What was that?” another man said.
The door opened, and Danielle came in. “I suppose you heard all of that.” She had a sour look on her face. “No matter. You won’t last much longer, just enough to bring Grant here. And look who finally checked his voicemail.”
She motioned to the Italian-looking man who had followed her into the room. He tied a gag around Kate’s mouth, and Danielle gave Kate a wan smile.
“Unfortunately, you are not going to make it out of this. We can’t have you blabbing my plans.” She tapped her phone and put it on speaker. “My darling son…”
“Where is Kate?” She heard Grant’s voice through the phone speaker. He didn’t sound angry or enraged or frightened. Instead, he sounded detached and cold.
“She’s here. Facetime me, and you can see.”
Danielle held up the phone. The light shone in Kate’s tearstained face, and she blinked. She wanted to scream as she saw Grant’s face peering at her through the screen.
“Huh” was all he said.
Kate could tell by the expression on Danielle’s face that this was not the reaction she was expecting.
“Why couldn’t you have sent a note?” he asked. “I’m busy right now.”
“She’s the love of your life,” Danielle said.
“I don’t particularly care for her,” Grant replied. “She was just an easy fuck. You know how that is,Mother.”
