Blink of an Eye (Kendra Michaels #8) - Roy Johansen Page 0,58
the phone and typed. PROOF OF LIFE?
A long wait. Then:
PERHAPS 5/3
Message ended.
“Son of a bitch!” Jessie muttered. “They’re keeping us on tenterhooks. Punishment for screwing up this delivery?”
“I guess that’s it.” Kendra moistened her lips. “Regardless, they have us over a barrel until they see fit to give that proof to us.” She turned to Kelland. “What do you think?”
“I think that you’re right,” he said grimly. “And that I hope we got that message out to them in time.”
She’d been afraid to put that last thought into words. “We’ve got to assume they did. What good would it do them to stretch this agony out if she wasn’t still alive?” She drew a deep breath. “Lord, I’m tired of feeling this helpless. Is there anything else we can do?”
“We’re already doing it. The phone calls,” Kelland said. “Remember? I started trying to trace those voices on the phone from the first moment they began giving orders to Lynch. We’ve made incredible advances lately in the audio field and can do amazing things not only with tracing but also with voice analysis.”
“How soon?”
“It depends. I made it a priority.” He shrugged. “Tonight? Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow might be too late.”
“I’ll get it as quick as I can,” he said quietly. “No one wants to get those bastards more than I do.”
“Wanna bet?” Jessie asked. “Could we go down to the lab and listen to the original tapes again?”
“If you promise not to get in the techs’ way. I meant it when I said top priority.”
Kendra hesitated. “You go ahead, Jessie. I promised to let Lynch know when we knew about the mausoleum message. And I want to see if he’s found out anything about why this ransom delivery went to hell. Do you want to go with me, Kelland?”
He shook his head. “He said he’d give me a report. I need to get a cup of coffee and then go back to my office and make a few dozen calls to tell everyone that we might have been given a reprieve. I’ll see you in the morning.” He headed toward the elevator.
Kendra glanced at Jessie. “Jessie?”
“I’d rather go down to the AV lab.” She shook her head emphatically. “If I caught sight of Noah in my present mood, I might cut his throat. I don’t want excuses about why he did that to Dee. I thought he was her friend. I even convinced Kelland he should let Noah pay that ransom. I didn’t have any idea that his enormous bankroll means more to him than he brags. Or that he believed he was smart enough to get that sneaky move past those goons. He took a chance and I’m not about to forgive him.” She started toward the elevator. “See if you can’t persuade Lynch to give it up and go to my place for the night. I know you’ve been worried about him.”
“I’ve been worried about everyone.”
“Yeah, me, too.” She tried to smile. “But maybe I’ll get good news from those audio guys. Kelland says they’re amazing.”
“From what I’ve learned about current AV advances, I don’t doubt it,” Kendra said gently. “I’d like copies of those audio files. I want to listen to them myself.”
“I figured you would,” Jessie said. “I’ll make sure you get them.” She turned away. “I’ll call you when I’m through here.”
Good news, Kendra thought as she went toward the conference room. Amazing. She could use a little herself right now.
But Lynch didn’t look as if he had any of that commodity available when she walked into the conference room. She was surprised to see he was the only one there. He was sitting with a cup of coffee and looked as tense and alert as when she’d left him earlier in the day. His gaze instantly flew to her face. “Dee?”
“We just heard. They’ll accept the new delivery. Noah has to furnish another five million. Instructions tomorrow.” She added bitterly, “They said they won’t give us another proof of life until then, too. Jessie thinks they’re trying to punish us.”
“And they could be. Five million?” he said thoughtfully. “They could have asked for more. If they’re angry, why didn’t they do it?”
“Maybe they’re getting as tired of these negotiations as we are and want them over.” She dropped down in the chair next to him. “I hope that’s why. Where’s Noah? Are we going to have any trouble getting that extra five million from him?”
He shook his head. “He’s too busy insisting how innocent he is and