Page 65 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

Jamie produced a smile, one slightly more real this time, for Mrs. Case. “Excuse me.” She slid off her stool and went to the door. “What’s up?”

“We need to talk.”

She followed him beyond the great room to the entry hall. The guard there seemed to sense their need for privacy and stepped outside to monitor the door from there.

Poe glanced around. “Something is off with what happened this morning.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” She hitched a thumb toward the kitchen. “The wife just told me there was a ransom demand for Lillian. Twenty million dollars.”

Poe shook his head. “That’s crazy. One of those guys—from the two left behind when the one took you and Lillian—basically split after you two were gone. Abi called in a backup crew to clean up the mess, but let’s face facts, we already had more than three—besides us—here in the first place, which begs the question, how were we overtaken by three thugs?”

Jamie had an idea about that. “I think it was a setup to make the Cases believe we’re the good guys.”

“You mean we’re not,” Poe said with a shake of his head. “Don’t answer that. I already know what we’ve been in this op.” He blew out a big breath.

This was just another aspect of this whole business that weighed on Jamie. “I shouldn’t have let you get involved with this.”

He harrumphed. “Like you could have stopped me.”

“We just have to make sure the rest of this goes off without a hitch. The family gets taken back home and no one dies.”

Her chest tightened as she thought of Luke.

Keep him safe.

3:00 p.m.

BYTHETIMEthedoctor and Abi surfaced, Lillian had fallen asleep, and her mother was pacing the floor.

Jamie wasn’t sure what would happen next, but if they were all lucky, it wouldn’t involve the police. Or worse, the FBI, considering they had kidnapped the doctor and his family.

“How did it go?” Mrs. Case asked, looking tattered around the edges.

Dr. Case gave her a nod. “Very well. I’ll be seeing him when we return from our vacation for a follow up. Until then, the doctor who assisted me will keep an eye on him. But I’m not anticipating any issues.”

Jamie shared a look with Poe. That was certainly not the announcement she’d anticipated.

“A car will be here for you and your family in ten minutes,” Abi explained.

Wait. Wait. Was this it? No accusations. No cops. No nothing?

Dr. Case turned to Abi. He looked from him to Poe, then to Jamie. “I realize what has happened today. Don’t doubt that I am fully aware.” His gaze lit the longest on Jamie.

This was the part she had been expecting...dreading.

“But in reality, all the three of you took from my family were a few hours of our time.” He glanced at his daughter. “I wonder if you—” he looked from Jamie to Poe and then Abi again “—had not made the decision to help the child downstairs, what would have happened to our family? Those other men were clearly unconcerned for the safety of my family. Their only desire was money.” He shook his head, regret clear on his face. “The idea that my work has come to this tears me apart. Anyone who needs the help I can provide should be able to have it without such theatrics. This has opened my eyes to what I know I must do next. It wasn’t bad enough what happened before...” He heaved a heavy breath. “The only answer is that more surgeons must be trained in this procedure. It’s the only way to see that we meet the need of all...not just that of certain patients.” He exhaled a weary breath. “Thank you for helping me to see this more clearly.”

Abi nodded, but said nothing. He turned to Jamie and motioned for her and Poe to follow him to the kitchen. They gathered around the island.

“A car will be arriving shortly.” He set his gaze on Jamie’s. “The driver will take you to your brother’s condo. Luke will be delivered there at approximately the same time.” He turned to Poe then. “If you need a different car, just say the word.”

“I’m going with Jamie.” Poe looked to Jamie. “We have a mission report to complete.”

Abi nodded. “Very well.” He smiled. “We make a good team.”

Jamie laughed. “Except for the fact that you were keeping all sorts of details from us.” She leaned in closer and spoke more quietly. “Like the three guys from this morning. Give me a break. After the doctor’s monologue in there, you really expect me to believe that was a coincidence? And where did you find them? Thugs-R-Us?”

Abi didn’t smile, but the twinkle of amusement in his eyes was unmistakable. “No one is calling the police,” he said. “In my humble opinion, that implies it was a brilliant strategy.”

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