Page 66 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

“You couldn’t have warned us?” Poe argued, sounding more than a little ticked off.

Abi bumped him on the shoulder with the side of his fist. “The goal was authenticity. It’s hard to fake, wouldn’t you say?”

Poe held up a hand. “Whatever.”

“In any case,” Abi said, “thank you for your help. Your car will be here any moment.” He smiled at Jamie. “You’ll be pleased to find Ian Michaels behind the wheel.”

Whoa. Now wait a minute. “How did you get in touch with Ian?” Poe had told her that Victoria had sent Ian to provide any necessary backup, but that was the last she’d heard about him being here. Too much had gone down for her to even think about Ian. She decided it might be best not to mention this to her grandmother’s long time loyal investigator.

“I called your grandmother,” Abi explained. “I told her you would be ready to depart within the hour and she said Michaels would pick you and Poe up for transport back to Chicago.” He chuckled. “She also invited me to your Christmas party. Unfortunately, I’m unavailable. I’m sure you understand.”

“Of course. You’re a busy man.” Jamie barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

“One more thing,” Abi said. “For the record, the ransom demand for Luke...” He shrugged. “Just a little something for more of that authenticity.”

Jamie did roll her eyes that time. “Good to know.” She extended her hand. “Until we meet again, Abi.”

He gave her hand a shake. “I am certain we will.” He turned to Poe next and extended his hand.

“I, for one,” Poe said, “hope to never see you again.”

Abi laughed. “I’m confident that can be arranged.”

When the first car arrived, Jamie, Poe and even Abi stood on the portico and waved goodbye to the Case family. As the car drove away, Lillian turned around in her seat and waved some more. Jamie kept waving until the car was out of sight.

“This must be the enigmatic Mr. Michaels,” Abi said as a second car rolled up to the house.

Jamie turned to face her old friend. “Take care of yourself, Abi.”

He hugged her. She didn’t resist. Given their occupations, it could easily be the last time they saw each other.

Poe only allowed the other man a nod before walking away.

Ian emerged from behind the wheel and gave Jamie a hug. “I am so glad to see you,” she admitted.

“Always.” Ian drew back. “Let’s go pick up your brother.”

Jamie and Poe relaxed in the back seat as Ian drove away, though it was impossible to relax completely until she laid eyes on her brother.

The drive to his condo felt like a lifetime and when they arrived, Luke was sitting on the front steps. Jamie rushed out of the car and into his arms.

“I didn’t have a key to get inside,” Luke said.

Jamie laughed. “Oh my God, it is so good to see you. I’ve been worried to death.”

He shrugged. “It wasn’t so bad. I played video games the whole time.”

Jamie resisted the urge to kick him. “Don’t tell Poe,” she warned. “I’m not sure he would take it as well as me.”

Luke made a zipping gesture across his lips. “I won’t say a word.”

“Come on.” Jamie ushered him toward the door. “There’s a key under the mat.”

“Who put a key under my welcome mat?” Luke frowned. “That’s like the first place a burglar looks.”

Jamie decided not to tell him that she’d put the key Abi had used under there in case she needed to come back. To her way of thinking, if Luke was missing, there was nothing else in the condo worth worrying about.

Inside, he looked around and groaned. “I need to water my plants.”

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