Blink of an Eye (Kendra Michaels #8) - Roy Johansen Page 0,72
I find out why.”
“I’m going with you.” Kendra was following her. “I won’t let you face this alone.”
“I wasn’t going to argue,” Jessie said. “I’m feeling a bit shaky at the moment.” She glanced at Lynch. “You’re getting your marching orders a bit sooner than you thought. Stay here and get those results for me on Caseman. I might want them very badly after I’m finished with this call.”
“You’ll have them,” Lynch said grimly. “But I’m betting that they weren’t stupid enough to kill Dee. Now get out of here and get that proof of life.”
CHAPTER
10
The hall outside Kelland’s office was just as crowded as when Kendra had left it a short time ago, but Jessie ignored them. She held open the door and whisked Kendra inside the room.
“I’m here, Kelland.” She slammed the door and came toward his desk. “I brought Kendra because I didn’t know whether or not you’d invited me to a private party. Have you?”
“No.” He gestured to a chair. “Sit down, Kendra. Glad to have you here. I don’t know what to expect from these jokers. They keep changing the rule book.”
Kendra nodded. “This is the first time they haven’t contacted us through my cell phone.”
“Who am I supposed to talk to?” Jessie asked. “Some message on the mausoleum wall or a real person?”
“It’s not the mausoleum.” He pulled her down in the chair in front of his computer. “And since the audio bears a strong resemblance to the one we had to suffer through at the drop site, I don’t know how real he is.” He grimaced. “Or she is. I don’t think we’d better indicate we believe her to be a woman. The less they know about the investigation, the better. We’ll refer to her as masculine.”
“Whatever.” Jessie looked at Kendra. “Audio strikes again?”
“Not entirely,” Kelland said. “The goon who called me appears to be the same guy, but when I went back on the line after contacting you to tell him you’d be here to talk to him, he said you wouldn’t be talking to him.” He met her eyes. “He said you’d be talking to Delilah Winter.”
“Thank God.” Jessie closed her eyes for an instant. “Not a trick? That would be so cruel.”
“Yes, it would. But you’ll be able to tell for yourself in the next couple minutes. I don’t know what they’re doing. They refused us flat when we asked to talk to her before and now, they’re practically pushing Dee at us on Skype.”
“Then talk to her.” Kendra leaned forward and took Jessie’s hand. “It’s Dee. Stop this idiotic questioning. You can see if she’s well and maybe she can tell us something.”
“I seem to have my orders.” Jessie turned to Kelland. “Turn on the Skype.”
He flicked on the monitor. “Special Agent Kelland. I have Jessie Mercado. You wished to speak to her regarding the new arrangements for the ransom?”
“I have my instructions.” The voice was sour. “I obey instructions, unlike some other people. You want proof of life? I’ll show you Delilah. She has her instructions, too. Don’t make us kill her because you want to trick us again.”
“I’d never do that. Just let me see her.”
The screen suddenly blacked out and then came back on.
Dee!
The lights in the room were dim, and the walls and the chair on which Dee was sitting were equally blurred and indistinct. For a moment Jessie couldn’t be certain it was really her. Then there was a sudden close-up and Jessie could see that she was manacled to a chair.
Dee’s red hair was tousled, and she was a little pale, but no one could mistake those delicate features or blazing eyes. Particularly when she looked directly at the camera and made a face. “Jessie? They said I was going to talk to you. But the lighting values here aren’t what I’m accustomed to. If you’re going to ransom me, you should really insist that I be given my due.”
“I’ll take that under consideration.” Jessie was trying to keep her voice steady. “How are you? Did they hurt you?”
“No, though that sedative they kept giving me was no fun. Of course, neither were the people here.” Her voice lowered to a mock whisper. “Which I can’t discuss on pain of dire consequences. They have no sense of humor.”
“I can imagine. And sometimes your humor is a bit off the wall, so could I ask you not to demonstrate any practical jokes that might offend them?”