Page 83 of The Director's Daughter

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

INSIDE JERRY’S OFFICE, the shattering sound caused pandemonium. Darting around to face the door, Kurt clutched his knife and stretched his arms out in front of him ready to defend himself. Seizing her chance, Emma hid behind a large armchair, and Jerry ducked below his desk.

Beads of sweat running down his face, Kurt’s panicked state intensified as the silent seconds ticked by. When no-one appeared, his head began to spin. He wondered if a painting had fallen off its hook, then if the horrific crash had happened outside, and just sounded as though it came from the reception area.

Though desperately afraid and grasping his blade in one hand, he cracked open the door. Kevin’s desk lamp was upside down, papers were strewn across the floor, and the expensive coffee table was shattered.

“Who’s there?” he called, shocked and confused by the sight. “Come out! Come out right now or the girl in here will get hurt!” he yelled, brandishing the knife as he walked cautiously forward.

* * *

WAITING PATIENTLY UNTILKurt moved a few feet past him, Angelo leapt from his hiding place and kicked him in the small of his back. Letting out a howling scream, Kurt tumbled to the floor and the knife flew from his hand. Jumping on top of him and yanking his wrists together, Angelo tied them with Martha’s scarf, then quickly turned and secured Kurt’s ankles with Zach’s tie. Joining the ends of the tie and the scarf together, Kurt was hogtied in under a minute.

“You can come out now, Zach,” Angelo called. “Make sure everyone’s okay then call the police, but don’t use the word knife or weapon. Tell them an unhappy former employee became violent and has been restrained, no-one is at risk and the situation is under control.”

“That was unbelievable,” Zach exclaimed, shaking his head as he rose up from behind the couch. “Youare unbelievable. You’re not even breathing hard.”

“That’s because it didn’t take any effort,” he replied with a grin. “I’ll call Anna and let her know everything’s okay, then I’ll go out and talk to the guard. He’s probably on pins and needles.”

“I still can’t believe what I just saw,” Zach muttered, moving carefully around the shards of broken glass, then hurrying into Jerry’s office, he raced across to Emma. “Are you okay?”

“Zach! Thank God!” Emma cried, stepping out from behind the armchair and throwing herself into his arms.

“Did he hurt you?” Zach asked, hugging her tightly. “So help me if he did—“

“No. I’m okay. I’m just so glad you’re here.”

“Jerry, where are you?” Zach called, looking around the office. “Are you all right?”

“I don’t know what you did or how you did it, but thank you!” Jerry said breathlessly, appearing from the back of his desk. “Where’s Kurt? Did he get away?”

“He’s hogtied in the reception area.”

“Hogtied?” Jerry repeated, then darted his eyes to the coffee table. “Zach, quickly, help me get Kevin out from under there,” he ordered, striding across the room.

Hastily sitting Emma on the couch, Zach helped Jerry lift the heavy coffee table, but as Kevin crawled out and stood up, he was unsteady on his feet and collapsed into the nearest chair.

“It’s okay, Kevin, it’s over,” Jerry assured him. “Just sit there and catch your breath. I’ll get you a drink.”

“I, uh, I don’t drink,” Kevin stammered.

“You do today,” Jerry said firmly, already pouring cognac into several glasses. “Just a sip will do you the world of good.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Zach asked, returning to Emma’s side and putting his arm around her.

“I’m okay, but I can’t stop shaking. I’m just so glad you heard me when I called. I wasn’t sure if you could.”

“Heard you? Called? What did you do?” he asked, delivering a glass to Kevin and handing one to her.

“She was brilliant,” Zach declared, watching her take a drink with trembling hands. “So was Kevin, and I can’t begin to describe what Angelo just did. Speak of the devil, here’s the Caped Crusader himself.”

“Hardly,” Angelo said, walking in the room. “Hello, Mr. Goldman, I’m Angelo Frattiano. Are you okay?”

“Angelo? What are you doing here?” Emma mumbled, shocked to see her ex-boyfriend.

“I should probably say I’m sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances,” Jerry said, “but I’m much too grateful.”

“I’m glad I was here to help. Zach, have you called the police yet?”

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