Page 84 of Samson

Samson sighed. “I thought that’s what you wanted.”

“What I want is for Jesus to bring out the best in you. Not some woman.”

“She’s notsomewoman, Dad.” Samson slammed his chair in against the table. “And if you’d listened for half a second instead of criticizing me from the start, you would have heard how important she is. I can see how empty my life has been.”

“No woman will ever fill that hole.”

“You want me to be miserable for the rest of my life?”

“You’re miserable because of the lifestyle that you’ve chosen, but it’s not too late.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I want things to be different. Better.”

“Because of a woman. Why not because of God? No woman will make your life happy.”

“She already does.”

“Why do you insist on remaining blind to the truth?”

“Because it’s your truth, Dad. It’s not mine. I’m sorry I came.”

“So am I.”

Samson headed for the door when his phone rang. “What?” he answered abruptly.

“Samson?”

“Yes. Who’s this?” He continued to the door.

“It’s Catherine.” Her voice shook.

“Catherine?” He stopped and pulled the phone away from his ear to look at the number. “What number is this? Is Riley okay?”

He heard Catherine’s swallow. “This is the land line.” He heard a muffled voice in the background.

A chill passed down Samson’s spine. “Catherine. Tell me Riley’s okay.”

“They have her.”

“Who? What are you saying?” All he could hear was her breath. Then, she squeaked and said, “The man who’s here. He says his name is Marc. He said you need to meet him at Luca’s restaurant if you want your daughter to live.”

She started crying, and the phone dropped. Then, a voice said, “Did you get that, Samson? We’ve got Riley.”

“If you do anything?—”

“There’s no need for threats. It’s not her we want. It’s you. If you come to the restaurant and give yourself up peacefully, we’ll let Riley go.”

“Please, Samson. Do what they say,” Catherine said, her voice distant.

“When?” Samson said.

“In one hour.”

“I’ll be there. Don’t you dare hurt her.”

Arthur had joined Samson at the door. “What’s going on?”

“Riley’s been taken.” Samson charged out the door to his car.

---