Page 89 of Seduced By a Billionaire

“As a matter of fact, he let himself in as if he lived here,” Richard stated. “I assumed Lindsey had instructed him to do so. I just happened to glance at the security camera as he entered and went to meet him.”

Dave jumped on that, “So there’s footage? You mentioned he was odd, in what way?”

“A little too interested in his surroundings, as if he were sizing things up. Unfriendly. He didn’t seem like Lindsey’s type, but I don’t really know her well. A bit old for her, in my opinion,” Richard said.

“He did have a rather aggressive manner, I only saw him from a distance, but he was unabashedly staring. It struck me as odd,” Kyle said.

“Any idea who this character is? Has she ever mentioned him by name?” Dave asked.

“No, not to me,” Kyle said. Both Richard and Ella were shaking their heads as well.

“Do you remember the date and time that he picked her up? I’ll review the security footage from that day.”

“Yes, it was the Friday before last, Finn stayed with my sister and Lindsey had the weekend off.”

“Great, that’s a start.”

The doorbell chimed and Richard went to greet Kyle’s dad.

James Bennett entered the room in his usual commanding style. He exuded power, a true force of nature. “Son tell me what happened. Tell me everything from the beginning.”

“We were at the Marlin festival, Ella, Finn and me. Finn had been playing in the bounce house,” at his fathers puzzled expression he explained, “It’s basically an inflatable playground, the kids go inside and bounce around. He had been in there for about twenty minutes and when I went to grab him to get a bite to eat, he had vanished, no trace of him.”

“Jesus, Kyle,” James face went ashen.

“While Ella was circling the area, a kid thrust an envelope at me and then took off. Inside was a note stating they had Finn and for me to not contact authorities and go home and wait for instructions.”

Ella stood up abruptly, agitated, “Dave, I just remembered something. I thought I saw Lindsey at the festival a few minutes before this all happened. I had mentioned it to Kyle, but she had disappeared in the crowd before he could catch a glimpse.”

Dave held up his hand, “Hold on to that thought. Here’s the footage, a little grainy but clear enough.”

They all peered over Dave’s shoulder and Ella sucked in her breath sharply.

“I’ve seen that guy before. A few weeks ago, Kyle you remember, the day Finn and I brought home the fish, he was there!”

“Where?”

“I’m sorry, in the dollar store. He creeped me out because he was staring at us and then he called us by our names when I hustled Finn away to the checkout counter. I couldn’t get away fast enough. There was something familiar about him, but I was sure I’d never met him before.”

James had remained quiet but now he began to talk, “I have a confession to make. I told everyone I was back here on business, which is only part of the story. I am being blackmailed for five million dollars. I refused to give in to the demands and now I’m wondering if this is all my fault. Maybe, since I wouldn’t pay up, they went for my grandson.”

“That’s what they are demanding of me, five million,” Kyle said grimly.

“That would be a pretty big coincidence for those two demands to not be connected,” Dave said.

“What are you being blackmailed for?” Kyle asked suspiciously.

“An old accusation from thirty-five years ago which was completely unfounded then and remains a preposterous work of fiction today.”

“Do you know who is blackmailing you? With your security and connections, I’m sure you’ve had someone looking into it,” Kyle said.

“Yes, I do, and I have a name. Marcus Anderson. I also have an address. I hired a private investigator to find him. He has no idea that I know who he is, or that I know where to find him.”

“Thank God!” Ella said. “That will give us a good head start and we’ll have an advantage because he won’t be expecting us.”

“Let’s go,” Kyle said standing abruptly, his body coiled tight and ready for action.

“Wait slow down. We have to come up with a plan first,” Dave said.

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