Taking Tiffany Read online

  I’d felt a little relieved when we figured out it was Erik. He was a respected doctor. Maybe he’d had an unhealthy obsession with Jain, but he wouldn’t hurt her, right? With this new twist thrown in, anything could happen. I didn’t know anything about Fletcher’s mom. Why would she be involved? If she was, had she harbored a grudge for ten years? That would be a long time to fester. And what about Fletcher? Did he hire his mom to help him?

  Clara had gone into the kitchen to make us some snacks. “Jerry, we’re going to need to talk to Clara about Fletcher and his mom. Also, can you ask your team to get Erik’s parents, the Harpers, home number? We’ll need to find out where he might have taken Tiffany.” I added, “And I’ll need a gun, a helicopter, and a fast boat. Can you make that happen?”

  “Yes. Take two of my security men with you,” he suggested. “I still want this to remain quiet. No police or official FBI involvement yet.”

  “Okay. I agree. We can form a plan on the way.”

  ***

  Tiffany

  TODD DIDN’T BREAK up with me.

  There was a crazed woman with a gun outside my door, and that’s all I could think about? If I didn’t make it out of here, at least I had that. Warmth seeped backed into my heart.

  Oh, Todd.

  Strong feelings of determination spread through me. I wouldn’t go down without a fight. I went to the window and discovered it was painted shut. I could break it, but it would alert them. For now, I’d pretend I was asleep. I needed an escape plan though. Deanna made it clear, I wouldn’t be able to talk my way out of this.

  She blames me for all of Fletcher’s troubles.

  She’d probably witnessed his decline into drinking. All this time, I’d thought of her as a typical mom, someone who cared deeply about her son. When Fletcher and I broke up, Deanna and I both cried. I thought it was because she loved me; that’s what she told me at the time. Now, I realize that both Fletcher and his mom thought of my family as their golden goose. When it fell through, they must have blamed all lifes’ problems on my family. I wondered if Fletcher was in on this. I wouldn’t put it past him.

  “You need to listen to me. You don’t want to spend the rest of your life in jail. If you leave now, we can carry on with the plan. You’ll get sixty million dollars! I don’t care about the money. I never did. I was going to donate it anyway,” Erik pleaded with her.

  “You want me to let her go? After what she and her family have done? For ten years, I’ve watched my son live in misery. I’ll take their precious daughter because that’s exactly what they’ve done to me. He’s an alcoholic because of her! He lost his job, and our family home will foreclose next month. That’s what she’s done. She’s to blame for all of it. I’m not going to let you stand in my way.” Her acidic tone conveyed her hatred.

  If I didn’t get out of this room, I had no doubt she’d carry through with her plan to kill me. My eyes searched every surface—floors, walls, ceiling—looking for a way to escape. Panic tore through me. There was no way out. This room was like a jail cell. Just as the defeated feeling almost took control, I noticed a flash of fabric sweep past the window.

  ***

  Todd

  WHILE TRANSPORTED BY helicopter to the Quartermaster Marina on Vashon Island, we formulated our plan. First, we needed to reach Erik’s house without being detected. With Tiffany’s life at stake, and we couldn’t take any chances. As soon as it landed, our group jumped out of the helicopter and onto the boat Tiffany’s dad arranged for our use.

  We moored the speed boat down a few docks from where Erik’s cottage was located, and the four of us made our way onto the property via deep-set, manicured lawns and eight-foot hedges separating each lot.The residents in this area were laid back and unconcerned with gates and security, thank goodness. I brushed the leaves and dirt off my pants and continued around to the back yard. It was quiet.

  “You sure this is the house?” Braydon asked

  “Yes. Here, look at this picture.” I held my phone. The Harpers supplied the address and admitted they were concerned about their son. He’d been quiet and withdrawn for a little over a year now and would barely acknowledge them. The only time he’d agree to see them was at the events Tiffany attended. It all started to add up.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  HE’D LIED TO Jain on their date. He told her he’d been heartbroken before, just like she had been at the time. She’d broken up with Braydon and was hurting. He wanted her to move on past the pain; he needed her to. He loved her like no other and knew there would never be another woman for him. Ever. Then, the unthinkable happened. Braydon won her back, and they were married within months.

  He let the cold, dense feeling of hatred for Braydon flow through him as the toxic memories swamped him from all reasonable thought. Jain was his! He worked with her every day, with a common goal, a cure for ALS. She was beautiful in her determination.

  He’d become an expert at hiding his true feelings, but it started to wear him down. Working with Jain in the lab every day was a combination of heaven and hell. She was so close, but he could never touch. He could make her laugh, but he wanted to cry. They shared almost every emotion, except for love. She loved someone else. But Braydon didn’t deserve her.

  He’d been in agony, and it wasn’t getting any better. That was when Deanna approached him. At first, she wanted to know all about his work with Jain and their common goal to find a cure for ALS. As time progressed, the questions started to get more personal. How did he like working with Jain? Did he like Braydon?

  Everyone knew about Braydon’s reputation. He used women. He was a playboy and a scoundrel. Why couldn’t Jain see it? She’s too good for him, so pure.

  Deanna wondered aloud if he would like to put Braydon in his place. She must have seen the light in his eyes when she asked that question. He still remembered her smile. Yes, she had a plan, she’d said. She had her own reasons, which she wouldn’t mention, but it hadn’t mattered at the time. He would do his part which was to make sure no one knew Tiffany had gone missing for a day. Deanna’s job entailed getting the ransom note to Braydon, handling the bank connections, and transferring the money to secure accounts.

  But now, Deanna held a gun and threatened Tiffany. He’d done this to himself, he knew that. He’d let love twist him into someone he didn’t recognize. He had nothing left to live for.

  He did have one thing, though. One thing he could do.

  He would save Tiffany.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Todd

  “WE NEED TO get into the house undetected,” Braydon whispered to our group.

  “First, let’s try to get an idea which part of the house they’re in. We still don’t know if Erik is alone in there with Tiffany. I don’t want to spook him or anyone else into shooting. Tiffany could get caught in the crossfire.” I didn’t care about myself. If it meant dying to protect her, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

  All in agreement, we split up into two groups. The Thompson security team left to canvass the west side of the property, and Braydon and I headed to the east.

  I gave a head tilt toward one of the back windows. Both Braydon and I slipped the Colt 45s we were given from the security company into our back waistbands. It felt both odd and reassuring. I was glad my mom had insisted I learn how to handle and shoot a gun when I was younger. Though I hadn’t been to the range in years, I hoped it was like riding a bike, because Tiffany’s life might depend on it.

  “I thought I saw movement in the smaller back window, east side.” Braydon motioned with his head.

  Some surrounding shrubs provided a shield from the house. Crouching, we made the path through the dense foliage while keeping out of sight.

  Once we were within a hundred feet, I dared a glance at the window again and almost doubled over with relief. It was Tiffany. She was alive. I bent over and took a few deep breaths. Sweat poured down my face and made little plopping noises when they landed on the dark green leaves of the azalea b
ush.

  “You okay?” Braydon asked.

  “Just catching my breath. Did you see Tiffany? She’s okay. I saw her.” I must look a mess. “I’m not falling apart. Don’t worry. I’m good. Let’s go get her.”

  We approached the back window slowly. I’d only seen Tiffany, but that didn’t mean she was alone. We were close enough to see the inside door flung open and a woman with a gun pointed at Tiffany. What the hell? Tiffany stiffened and, with her shoulders back, she followed the woman out the door.

  “We’ll need to circle around to the front of the house. We’ll be able to see what they’re up to from the bushes that surround the picture window,” I whispered to Braydon.

  ***

  Tiffany

  WITH FEAR AND dread, I looked into the cold, hard eyes of hatred. Deanna Collier, my second mom all through high school, motioned me into the living room with her gun. When had she changed? As a single parent, she always appeared to keep it together. She seemed to revel in her soccer-mom life, always wrapped up in every aspect of Fletcher’s upbringing. Now, looking back, maybe she’d been too involved.

  I glanced over her shoulder at Erik. He put his finger to his mouth, warning me to remain quiet. He didn’t know I’d heard everything. I gave him a slight nod. I wanted to communicate that, no matter what happened, I wouldn’t blame him. He wasn’t innocent in this, but he certainly didn’t want to hurt me.

  “You don’t have anything to say for yourself?” she taunted.

  I shook my head. I didn’t want to say anything to inflame her. The gun was pointed at me, and Erik was too far away from her to grab it. He slowly inched his way toward me.

  “You should have taken the second chance I offered you at Jain’s baby shower.” Her expression was sour, like she’d eaten something tart. “Instead, you chose Todd Jameson. He has more money than Fletcher; was that it?” she asked.

  “No!” I blurted out. Damn. I needed to keep my mouth shut.

  With narrowed eyes and a tic in her right cheek, she challenged, “Fletcher wasn’t good enough for you?” as she pointed the gun at my chest.

  She was looking for an excuse to shoot me. Erik kept edging closer.

  Waves of hatred washed over her expression. “I won’t have to listen to your mom brag about you anymore.”

  When her finger moved to the trigger, a series of blurred actions seemed to happen in slow motion. First, a loud shot blasted as the gun fired. At the same instant, Erik yelled, "No!" and dove at me in a rolling tackle that sent us both flying to the floor. I landed on top of him and looked up in time to see glass raining down on me as the picture window exploded into shards of glass that spread around the room. Familiar wavy, brown hair followed the crash with a tumble and somersault through the broken window.

  Todd.

  He jumped up, raised his gun toward Deanna, and ordered, “Stop!”

   Deanna lifted her arm and aimed for Todd.

  No! I began to get up but I heard another loud boom. I ducked in an attempt to avoid more gunfire. When I braced my hands on Erik’s chest to move, they landed in a sticky pool of blood.

  Adrenalin pulsed through me like a runaway train. Oh, Erik! His eyes were hazy and unfocused. “Braydon!” I yelled. “Erik needs help!”

  My eyes darted around the room frantically searching for Todd.

  “Stay down for a minute,” Braydon had crawled over to me, his gun still up, as he scanned the room.

  Two more men I recognized from my dad’s home security came through the broken window with guns drawn.

  “You help Erik, I need to find Todd,” I said.

  “No!” he shouted. “You stay here.” Braydon reached over and took a tight hold of my arm. I ripped out of his grasp and went in the direction Todd had gone as fast as I could.

  Braydon yelled, “Mason! Back up Tiffany.”

  I ran into the kitchen as Todd finished restraining Deanna to a chair. He stopped when he saw me, blinked a few times, “Thank God” whooshed from him.

  “Todd! You’re okay.” Relief and gratitude rushed through me and relaxed my tightened muscles, but every inch of me seemed to turn to jello instead. Don't pass out now! My legs started to fold right before Todd grabbed and held me close, keeping me upright. He rubbed my back and said over and over, "I thought I'd lost you."

  He stepped back and placed his hands on each side of my face, examining me and asked, "are you okay?" while kissing every available surface.

  I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the living room. "I'm okay, but Erik's been shot! We have to go now.”

  Todd turned to Mason, one of my dad's security men, and asked, "Can you keep an eye on Mrs. Collier? If she tries to escape, shoot her."

  He turned back to me. “I called 911 before we entered the house. The police and ambulance should be here soon.”

  "He saved my life, Todd." My lips trembled.

  “Let’s go!” He put his arm around me and rushed back to living room. Erik was still on the ground while Braydon leaned over him pressing a blanket over his wound.

  “Is he going to be okay?” My heart sank. Tears stung my eyes, and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. He didn't look good.

  A loud pounding came from the front door. “That’s probably the police. I need to get it.” Braydon said and gestured to the blanket. “Hold this down firmly to apply pressure. It’s all we can do until help arrives.”

  I welcomed any way to help. I took Braydon’s place and applied as much pressure on Erik's wound as I could. Todd leaned over and assisted with the compression. He asked, "Are you all right? You look pale. I can take this."

  "No!" I said through my tears. "I promise, I can do this." I wouldn't let Erik down after he'd taken a bullet for me.

  Still cautious, Braydon stooped and rushed through the room, weaving around the furniture. He straightened and looked through the peephole before opening the door. Jain came through first and threw her arms around Braydon, letting out a sigh of pure joy. “Thank God in heaven!” she cried.

  My dad came through next, took one look at me, bent over and placed his hands on his knees. His breathing sounded erratic.

  “Dad. I'm not hurt.” I assured him.

  He stood, took one look at Todd and said, "You kept your promise." Todd gave him a quick nod and continued to help me apply pressure to Erik's wound. There was so much blood!

  Jain stiffened when her eyes locked on Erik's limp, pale body. “Oh, no, what happened? Is he …”

  Panic washed over me at her reaction. I continued to apply pressure to his wound, but I couldn’t pretend he was okay and I couldn’t hide my fear. “He never intended to hurt me, Jain. He saved my life. It was Deanna Collier. She tried to kill me and she hurt…she hurt.” I couldn’t finish, my body wracked with my sobs. “…please, can you do something for him?”

  Jain walked toward us tentatively, as if she was afraid of what she’d see. As her eyes welled with tears, she sat carefully next to Erik and took his hand.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Erik

  THE BULLET HIT the right ventricle chamber in my heart, just below the atrium. I knew what would happen next. I would bleed out before the ambulance arrived. Not able to move, I heard shouting, and then heavy pressure on my wound as someone put a cloth over it. I wanted to tell them not to bother—it wouldn’t work. I’d be dead before they loaded me into the ambulance.

  Thank you, Erik. Thank you for saving Tiffany.

  Was that…Jain? I couldn’t open my eyes, but I felt a hand in mine. It was her. I tried to speak. I wanted to tell her I was sorry. I’d let her down. She’d have to finish our research on her own, without me.

  She spoke into my ear, “Don’t worry, Erik. I’ll find the cure. I promise.” Was she crying?

  Don’t cry, Jain.

  “You saved Tiffany’s life.” She squeezed my hand, and I felt at peace. I would miss her so much, but I wasn’t alone. I could go, knowing Jain forgave me. All the hatred flowed out of my body and was repla
ced with the pure, white light of love.

  Epilogue

  Todd

  Two months later

  THE COMFORTING SMELL of old books and leather filled my nose. I hoped the warm and soothing atmosphere of the Thompson library would quell my nerves.

  “You wanted to ask me something?” Tiffany’s dad asked.

  I swallowed, but my mouth went dry. I felt close to choking.

  “Yes. I did, Mr. Thompson.”

  “After everything we’ve been through, after you saved my daughter’s life, you still won’t call me Jerry?” He grinned.

  “Yes. I’ll call you Jerry after today.”

  “What happens today?”

  “Today is when I collect my debt.”

  “Your debt?” he asked

  “Do you remember when you told me, if I brought Tiffany back to you, I could have anything I wanted?”

  Confusion lined his face until it dawned on him, then his smile reappeared, larger than ever. “I couldn’t ask for a better son.”

  I’d expected a little tussle, maybe a few more hoops, but his immediate approval meant more to me than I could have imagined. My throat tightened again. This time it wasn’t from nerves.

  “Does Tiffany know?” he asked.

  “She will in a few minutes.” I tapped the little box in my right coat pocket. I couldn’t wait to officially make her mine.

  I turned to leave.

  “Oh, and Todd?”

  “Yes, Jerry?”

  “You can call me Dad.” He chuckled and added, “One more thing. I want grandchildren, lots of them.” He gave me a push out the door. “Go get your girl,” he commanded.

  That was an order I wouldn’t refuse.