Page 46 of Sensual Nights

Mason swallowed. His eyes moved to Jace who sat alongside quietly. His jaw was tense as if he was gritting his teeth. That gave Mason some comfort at least. Jace cared as much as he did. At least somebody else was also irritated with the slow process.

Police officers left and Mason turned to Jace. "We have to do something. We have to do something to help her."

"I agree. Do you have thoughts?"

"I do, actually. I have a friend, Mitch DeMario, who is in the security business. He's going to be in town soon to pick up the thumb drive from you. I want to bring him in since he'll be in town anyway. I want him to help with this. Before you give him the thumb drive, let's talk to him."

Mason's phone rang and he quickly grabbed it off the table hoping Carley had managed to get to a phone.

Jace said, "Answer it, Mason. What if it's the kidnapper?"

Mason tapped the answer call icon and put it on speaker. "Mason Thompson."

"Hey, Mason, it's Mitch DeMario. I'm fifteen minutes away from Blossom Springs. Ethan Dougherty gave me your phone number. I'm not sure if you remember who I am; we serve..."

Mason interrupted him. "I know exactly who you are. Listen, Mitch, I'm sorry to throw you into this so abruptly, but my girlfriend was kidnapped about an hour ago. I could really use your help on this. It's gonna take the police forever while they’re following protocol. We have some video footage, a visual of the vehicle, a plate number, and that's about it. We could sure use your help."

Mitch was quiet for a moment. When he responded, Mason felt immediately relieved. "Okay, well, I'm sorry to hear that first of all, but it’s a good thing that you have some video footage. Where can I meet you, and what are we doing?"

"I'm at the Barracks Condos at the end of Main Street. When you get to Blossom Springs turn down Main Street and head all the way to the end. Main Street actually ends in our parking lot. I'm here with Jace Marriott and Quinn Kurtz. Quinn is the developer of these condos, and he has the video footage here."

"Ten-four. I'll be there in just under 15 minutes."

Mason stood and took in some deep breaths. He felt stronger now than he had in a long time. "Okay, so here's what I propose. We're gonna get Mitch here and we’ll get that video cued up so he can see what you have. We're gonna work this our way. The way we would do in the military when we're looking for someone. The way we know how. That's what we're gonna do."

Quinn turned his eyes toward Jace.

Jace to his credit, didn't patronize him or say anything other than, "I'm with you. Let's do this."

27

Carley wiggled her hand back and forth on the bedspring, hoping that she could wear the zip tie down or break it completely. It bit into her wrist, and she could feel the moisture as her wrist started to bleed. But she was so worried about what else might happen if she stayed where she was.

That stupid medallion, why did she ever pick the damn thing up to begin with? She should have just left it there in the closet. But then again, Mason bought that condo, and this guy would be after Mason. Though he wouldn't have been able to pick him up and carry Mason away as easily as he carried her.

She continued to work her arm back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, praying the entire time, "Please God, please let me get loose, please let me get loose, please let me get loose."

She heard the key in the door, and she froze. She whispered to calm herself. "He's back, he's back, he's back. What am I going to do?"

She hoped he wouldn't look at her wrist and see it was bleeding. The door opened and he stepped inside and closed the door, rendering the room dark once again.

The slow measured steps coming toward her made her eyes tear up. Even breaths, she told herself slowly.

"Even breaths," she whispered again.

He sat in the chair, it creaked slightly. It creaked again and she felt the heat from his body as he moved closer to her. Her emotions battled between feeling like she was going to vomit, to feeling complete and total fear.

She swallowed and waited. "It looks like your brother-in-law has been a busy duck. I don't like busy ducks. Do you understand me? I don't like them at all." He moved closer, his breath brushed over her cheek. "There's people milling about his business. They’re at the back door, the front door, everywhere. Police are combing the parking lot, so I couldn't get near. Tell me this, Carley Page, if your brother-in-law gave my property to the police, why would the police be at his place?"

Her mind raced. She didn't know. How would she know?

"I don't know. Obviously, I'm here, not there. I don't know what's going on."

"I think you're lying to me is what I think. I think you're holding out on me, and I don't like it."

She swallowed the large lump in her throat. He sounded as if he was getting angry. Probably wasn't a good idea to make him angry.

"I don't know what's going on. I'm guessing the police are there because they know I'm missing, and that it has nothing to do with your property. But that would just be a guess."

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