[27]
They parked several feet down on the side of the road next to the cemetery. Daniel’s restaurant lay thirty yards ahead.
Katie had Bree on the phone. “What do you see?”
“Nothing much. No cars in the vicinity that match the description you gave me of Martin’s vehicle. No license plate that matches, no cell phone use with the number. Nothing. I got up to the window and there’s no one in the main area. The only place I couldn’t see in was the basement.”
“And that’s the only camera we can’t see working,” Katie said. “They’re in there and we need to see what’s going on.”
“Maddy’s on her way and bringing her surveillance equipment.”
“Is there any way he can monitor what’s going on out here?” Bree asked.
Katie looked at Daniel. He shook his head. Then paused. “Only if he’s in the office looking at the computer and the computer is password protected.”
“And he wouldn’t know the password?”
“Only the manager and a few select employees know it.”
“No.”
“Then we may be all right.”
Riley tugged against the duct tape. The bomb was strapped around the column right above her head. Martin had gotten it in place, then disappeared up the stairs. “Martin! Martin!”
“What are you calling him for?” Steve sounded rattled.
Riley gave a grunt and another tug on the tape around her wrists. She made sure to keep her head still, even though she didn’t think the bomb was active yet. No sense in finding out the hard way. “I want him back in here. I’m more comfortable being able to see what he’s doing.”
“Well, I’m more comfortable with him out of sight.”
“I don’t suppose you have anything sharp on you?”
“No, sorry, I wasn’t planning on being kidnapped today.”
Riley fell silent and listened. Thought. How much time did they have before the bomb went off? Was it even armed yet? “I’m sorry I got you into this,” she said.
He didn’t answer for a moment. Was he mad? Of course he was mad. She sighed and the base of her neck started to throb. Her head hurt where Martin had struck her and every once in a while she had to fight a wave of nausea.
“Riley, it’s not your fault,” he finally said. “I knew about the stuff going on with your uncle and I didn’t really care. As in, I wasn’t going to let it keep me from hanging out with you. I could see that Beth and Kyle were preoccupied with each other and you needed a friend. I wanted to be that friend and try to make up for the lousy way I treated you.”
Riley swallowed against the next round of tears that wanted to flow. She had needed a friend. Beth was supposed to be her best friend, but ever since she and Kyle had started dating, their time together had been significantly less. And Steve had noticed. “Thanks,” she whispered. She tugged again. Something loosened and hope sparked. “Can you reach the tape around my wrists and see if you can work on it?”
He shifted. She felt his hand brush hers, then stop. “Hang on. It’s too awkward this way.” He maneuvered around so that his body was more perpendicular to hers. “He’s got me taped to the column but maybe—”
She felt him push his arms back, his fingers dug into her upper back. There was a sucking sound as the tape pulled away from the column and Steve gave a victorious grunt. “Okay, that was almost too easy.”
“Don’t knock it. Just be grateful.”
Footsteps on the stairs froze her. “He’s coming back.”
“Got it,” Martin said. “I’ll be back up there in just a minute.” A pause. “Yes, yes. I got all of the artifacts. As soon as I have the coin, we’ll be set.” Another pause like he was listening. “They’ll be too busy digging through the rubble to worry about me. Now you do your part while I do mine.”
Riley’s adrenaline pumped. Who had he been talking to? Martin stepped into the basement. She glared at him. “So how many people are involved in this little scheme of yours?”
He frowned. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Oh come on, of course it matters. What was that little press conference about? You were glowing, all puffed up with pride. I was proud of you, happy for you that you were finally seeing your dream come true. What’s going to happen to your golden-boy image when the press gets ahold of this?”
“If they get ahold of it. I told him no cops.”
“And you really think he’s going to follow your orders?”
Martin rubbed a hand down the side of his face.
“You can stop this now,” she said. “Let us go and we’ll forget this ever happened.”
“I wish I could, but I’m afraid I’m in too deep.”
“So the press will know, then everyone will know that you were behind this. What’s that going to do to your precious career?”
Martin grimaced and for a moment she wondered if she’d gotten through to him. Then he shook his head. “My name will be mud, of course, and that would be a big disappointment. A huge one actually.” His jaw tightened, and she saw him blow out a slow breath. “So. This is what it’s come to. I wanted fame and fortune. At this point, I’ve resigned myself to settling for the fortune and possibly a bit of notoriety.”
“Like being labeled a murderer?”
His jaw tightened and his narrowed eyes lasered into her. For a moment she wondered if she’d pushed him too far. “Well,” he said, “it’s a little late to worry about that one, isn’t it?”
Wait a minute. He’d killed someone? Her fear ran deeper. She hadn’t realized that. She’d been talking about her and Steve. “Martin,” she whispered, “who did you kill?” His gaze went to the pipe just beyond her and he suddenly looked weary. “Maurice? You killed Maurice? Why?”
“Who do you think found the coin and called me to get an estimate on how much it was worth? He found it before he was fired. When I saw it, I made him tell me where he found it. He showed me and was all excited about making things right with Daniel, that giving him the coin would make up for what he’d done.”
“Only you betrayed Daniel and killed a man who wanted to do something right.”
Anger flashed in Martin’s eyes. “Shut up, Riley, or—”
“Or what? You’re going to kill me too?” He didn’t respond, so she watched him. Then dared to ask him a question that was at the front of her mind. “Why did you burn down the restaurant on North Lake? You know how important that box is to me. Why?”
He snorted. “I had to fix the situation I’d caused at the other restaurant by hanging Maurice in the basement. I needed the focus taken off of the place.”
Riley gaped. “So you burned the other one?” He opened his mouth to answer, but she beat him to it. “Of course you did. Uncle Daniel would be so busy with insurance and everything else, he wouldn’t be paying attention to what was going on at the one on Elmwood.”
“Pretty much. It wasn’t anything personal.”
“Not personal! Are you nuts?”
His anger returned full force. “Shut up or I’ll put a piece of duct tape over your mouth.”
She snapped her lips shut. That was the last thing she needed but dread shivered through her. He’d killed Maurice Armstrong over a stupid coin.
He patted her head. “That’s a good girl.”
“I’m not a dog.” The words flew from her lips before she could bite them back. She honestly didn’t know why she wasn’t in a mute puddle of terror, but . . . this was Martin. Would he really kill her? Her aching head said it was a real possibility. His eyes narrowed and he reached for the tape he’d left stuck to the column just above the bomb. “Sorry. Sorry. I won’t say another word.”
“Good.”
A knock on the basement door snapped his head up. “That’s probably your uncle.” He held the gun steady. “Now, it’s time to wrap this up.” He walked toward the door.
Riley tugged again. Felt the tape twist slightly. Was she helping or simply pulling it tighter? Martin hadn’t used a whole bunch. He’d been in a hurry. “Steve,” she hissed.
“Go to work on my tape, will you?” she whispered.
His fingers fumbled, felt around, and she knew he was trying to find the edge of the tape. And finally she felt him press, his fingernail scratching. Then he gave a pull and the tape rasped.
He froze and she waited for Martin to turn, but Martin wasn’t paying them any attention at all. Instead, he stood at the door, his hand on the knob. Steve pulled again. More tape moved.
Martin placed himself behind the protection of the door as he held the gun in his left hand and aimed it at the opening. He walked backward, staying behind the door as it opened.
“Keep your hands where I can see them,” he said.
Her uncle Daniel appeared and Riley finally was able to take a deep breath. His eyes caught hers and she saw the banked emotion there. He was scared spitless for her. She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes and she thought she saw the corner of his mouth twitch slightly upward.
He kept his hands away from his body and walked into the basement of his restaurant.
Katie continued to stare at the screen, hoping that somehow the camera would start working and she’d be able to see into the basement. Of course it didn’t. She scrolled through the rest of the screens, monitoring each room in case they moved from their current location.
Maddy stepped up to her. “SWAT team is in place.”
“Good. Make sure there’s no way they’ll be seen by Martin.”
“Not to worry. These guys are good, you know that.”
“Yes, I know, it’s just . . .” She shrugged.
“It’s never been this personal for you before?”
Katie glanced at her friend. “Something like that.”
Katie tapped the screen that would show her the lobby. “Yeah. The best.”
“I thought there was something between you two when you brought him to Quinn’s room.”
“Yes, there’s something. I’m really praying we get the chance to figure out exactly what, because I don’t think Martin’s plan includes Daniel coming out of all of this alive.”
Daniel stared at the man who’d once been his friend. Betrayal cut deep. Katie was right. He’d been way too trusting. “You okay, Riles?”
“Peachy. Except for the bomb sitting above my head, the bomb strapped to Martin, and this wire wrapped around my neck. Other than that . . .”
Her spunkiness relieved him. He could still hear the fear in her voice, but she was going to put up a good fight. Her last sentence registered. A bomb. He looked closer, still keeping Martin in his peripheral vision. He could see the deadly weapon strapped to the column just above the kids’ heads. Great. He knew Katie was listening. He just hoped the bomb squad was on the way. And Martin had a bomb on him. Not good. God, I think it’s time we started talking again. He made sure his fear wasn’t registered on his face. He’d get them out of this one way or another. “Steve?”
“Oh sure. ‘Peachy’ sums it up pretty well, Mr. Matthews.”
Good. While he could hear the fear in the kid’s voice, Steve wasn’t a wimp. Although considering his circumstances, it would be understandable.
Only now he had to block them from his mind. He had to focus on Martin. “You going to search me?”
Martin licked his lips. “You have a gun on you?”
“No.”
“Really? You came in without a weapon. You’re a liar.” He turned the gun on Riley’s head. “You want to get rid of it?”
“I don’t have a gun, Martin.” He kept his tone even. He pushed back his jacket so Martin could see the empty shoulder holster. Then he turned and lifted his jacket. “Nothing in my waistband.” He pulled his slacks up. “No ankle weapons. Come pat me down yourself.”
“And give you a chance to use that karate stuff on me? No thanks.”
Daniel ground his teeth. He’d been hoping Martin would move closer. “Just, why? At least tell me that.”
“Because you’re sitting on a gold mine.”
Confusion flickered. “That doesn’t tell me a whole lot.”
Martin let out a laugh that didn’t sound completely sane. Nevertheless, the man knew exactly what he was doing. He gestured to the back wall. “Underneath your restaurant, man, are all kinds of artifacts. Where do you think I was getting them?”
Daniel didn’t move as the light went on for him. “You were digging them up here and planting them down by the Congaree River site.”
“Exactly. Now give me the coin before the cops get here.”
“What makes you think the cops are coming?”
“Because I know you. And I know you’ve got at least that bodyguard woman outside. I’m guessing the cops are on the way.”
“As long as you have hostages, they’re not going to risk doing anything.”
“Exactly. Now the coin.”
“First I want answers.”
Martin jabbed the gun at him. “And first I want the coin! Hand it over!”
The man’s face went red and without turning his body aimed the gun at Riley and Steve. “Your call. Who do I shoot first?”
Steve sucked in a breath and Riley squealed. “Uncle Daniel, let me—”
“You’re not going to shoot anyone,” Daniel said with a calm he was trying to feel. He shot a look at Riley and prayed she’d stay quiet. “I mean I have the coin, but I wasn’t dumb enough to bring it with me. It’s my only bargaining tool, Martin, surely you understand that. As soon as we’re away from here and Riley’s out of danger, I’ll take you to it. It’s close by.” Daniel thought Martin might just start shooting. “Why show me the coin in the first place if you were just going to steal it and sell it?” he asked in a desperate attempt to distract the man.
Martin sighed, the gun lowering slightly. He moved to the door to peer out. “What?” The change of topic seemed to confuse him.
“You were planning on selling it all along. Why show it to me?”
Martin scowled. “Because I always seem to be on the losing side of life. I finally had something worthwhile and I wanted to show it off a bit. Stupid, maybe, but—” He shrugged.
“And then you lost it when you tried to kill us at the North Lake restaurant by crushing Quinn’s car with the backhoe,” Daniel said softly.
“Let’s go!”
“I’m not leaving without giving Riley a hug.”
“No hugging. Let’s go.”
Daniel stood his ground. “I know you plan to kill me when you have the coin, Martin.” Riley gasped and Daniel ignored her. “And that bomb isn’t there because it’s pretty. I’m giving her a hug. If you want to blow us all up and forgo getting the coin, well, that’s your decision.” He walked toward Riley and Martin backed up, the gun never wavering, but his frustration evident. Greed won out as Daniel felt sure it would, but his relief was almost tangible.
“Keep your hands where I can see them,” Martin snarled.
“Fine.”
Daniel held his hands at his sides and walked over to Riley. He eyed the bomb even as he knelt in front of his niece. He leaned over and kissed her on the head, then placed his hands on her shoulders. “Make a scene,” he whispered.
She started crying. “Don’t leave me, Uncle Daniel. Don’t let him kill us. Don’t leave!” The tears turned to sobs and Daniel didn’t think it was all an act. His heart shuddered at her distress.
“Hey, Riles,” he said loud enough for Martin to hear. “It’s going to be okay.” His hands slid down her arms. “Which pocket?” he whispered.
“Left.” She let out another sob. Without moving her head and neck, she tilted her hips to the right and his hand slipped into her pocket. “Please, Martin, please don’t do this!”
Daniel palmed the coin and gave her one last fierce hug. “Be strong,” he whispered. “I’m not going far. Katie? You hear me?”
“Loud and clear.” Her welcome voice came through the earpiece.
“It’s up to you now.”
“I’m ready as soon as you have Martin out of there,” she said.
He hesitated and kept his arms around his niece, careful not to jostle anything explosive. “It’s the only way?”
“Yes, the bomb squad’s been contacted. Officers will be following you to take Martin out at the first opportunity.”
“What are you talking about?” Martin screamed. “You hugged her, now come on!”
Daniel looked into Riley’s eyes. “You hear me?”
Riley sniffed and swiped the tears on her shoulder. She met his gaze and nodded.
“Enough!” Martin marched over and aimed the gun at Daniel. “I said move.” With his free hand, Martin reached into the front pocket of his cargo jeans and pulled out a device. His thumb pressed a button and the bomb above Riley and Steve’s heads beeped. “It better not be any more than thirty minutes away, because that’s all the time they have left.” He unbuttoned his shirt and Daniel sucked in a deep breath. Not only did he have a bomb to blow up the restaurant, he had one strapped to his chest. “And this one is for you.”