Page 1 of Played

Chapter 1

Caleb

My ass can’t get up faster off the desk chair, as I bolt for the door, trying to follow Mr. Higgins, knowing full well that he is the reason. “What, what do you mean Peg is gone?” I say to Laney, my voice firm, jolting.

Laney is hysterical. She’s gasping for air, out of breath. Like she’s running to something. “Mrs. Quinn went inside to get her a glass of milk, and when she came back outside, Peg was gone.”

I cover the phone, as I speak quickly to my assistant, sitting at the desk, looking as alarmed as I presume I do. “I want you to call downstairs to security. Tell them not to let Mr. Higgins leave the building.”

Vivian nods as I scurry past her, running for the elevator. “Okay, I’ve got eyes on the building, Laney. I’m pretty sure I know who’s behind this.”

“That strange email we both got last night?”

“Exactly. He was just here, the bastard. He claims he knew Gretchen.” I explain, reminding Laney, my fiancé, about the woman whose child we just took into our care. Gretchen died recently, leaving me with her only daughter, Peg. I’d been caring for her and the bairn for the last three years, but that’s a long story, one that I won’t get into right now.

“He knew Gretchen?” Laney says, horrified.

I try to get her to keep her bearings. “Now, Laney, this lad could be full of shit, for all we know. Let’s not believe a word he says until we know who the bastard is.”

“Jesus.” She sighs. “You’re right. We both know what kind of people are out there, Caleb. But this is sinking to an all-time low, taking our child.”

I love it how she says that. Laney has known Peg for such a short time, but she adores her, as I do. Even with Laney carrying our own baby, she still loves Peg just as much. It makes my heart melt. “You know as well as I do, Laney, that crooks are slick. And we can’t trust a soul. Even our own eyes. This could be an inside job.”

Eyes, meaning spies under both my family and Laney’s family’s employ, who watch both our friends and our enemies, clients, potential clients, family, and frankly, it’s because of these people that Laney and I met. But in this case, one would hope that it’s just one of ours that will find our bairn, not that he had anything to do with her disappearance. We can’t be sure though, until we know. It wouldn’t be the first time we caught an imposter under our roof. “God, she’s a child, Caleb! If any of our people have anything to do with this, as far as I’m concerned, they’re all fired.”

“Agreed. But in the meantime, I’m going to see if I can tail this asshole and find out if he knows anything about the conspicuously timed disappearance of little Peg, just as he happened to be meeting with me.”

The elevator doors close, and I feel like a caged lion, as I pace inside the vessel, eager for the lights on the board to change, as we descend floors. “I swear to you, Laney, when I find the bastard that did this, you can be sure as hell that he’ll pay, and I’m not feeling very shy about it right now.”

“Take a number, Caleb. I love Peg as much as you do, and I’ll be the first to watch the bastard fry in jail.”

The elevator door opens, and I fly out of there, looking in both directions, hoping that I’ll see Wesley Higgins trying to skulk his way past security. But when I see two of our security guys on the radio, and no Wesley, I feel like the point is moot. “Did you see where he went?” I ask the taller one of the two.

“He’d already pulled out when we got word from Vivian, I’m afraid.”

“Bastard. Which way was he headed?”

He tells me. “He was driving a blue sedan, a cheap shit Hyundai.”

Red flag number one goes up. “Fancy that. A billionaire driving a puddle jumper.”

Tall guy nods his agreement. “That would have been my first clue. You want me to go after him?”

“No, that’s okay, lad. I’ve got a couple of people that’ll get on his tail quick enough.” I say swiftly, and then I get back on the phone to Laney, telling her to hold the line while I get on the phone with one of my guys. It quickly becomes a game of cat and mouse, as I hop in my truck, and hunt down Mr. Higgins, or Wesley. Vivian calls me, telling me that she’s tried to contact him, but there is no answer on his phone. “Yeah, big shocker there.”

“Have you let the family know?” I ask Laney, as I click back on to her.

“Aye, of course. Mama was on the horn before I could even blink. Everyone is on task at my parent’s place.”

“I’ll let my mama and da know straight away as well.” I tell her as I place her on a brief hold again.

“Da, I’ve got some bad news.” I open with, as da picks up his personal cell phone.

“Vivian has already called me, son. That lass deserves a raise.”

“I’ll get on that as soon as the opportunity presents itself.” I tell him and mean it.

“Not to worry, son. I’ve got all hands on deck here. We’ll find her, as God is my witness.”

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