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Matt was exhausted. He’d spent a good chunk of the night in the hospital, making sure his mother held it together. His father had a plate and pin inserted in his hip. The doctor said it was a heavy operation, but they had to do it or the pain would have been too much for him to handle. He also told Matt things would be touch and go for a while. The seriousness of the fall, added to his father’s already greatly deteriorated state, meant they were in a “wait and see” situation. His mother was staying by his father’s side in the hospital, and Matt and the twins were taking turns keeping her company. There was nothing else any of them could do—so it was back to Jena duty for Matt.
Matt pushed open the door to the hardware store, spotted Gordon behind the counter and nodded at him.
“How’s your dad?” Gordon said.
“Still unconscious. The operation went well, though. We’ll need to see how he does from here.”
“Aye, it’s a rough time for everyone, that’s for sure. Tell your mother we were asking after her. If there’s anything we can do to help, just shout out.”
“Thanks, Gordon.” Matt looked around the empty store. “Where’s Calamity?” He held up the bag. “I brought lunch.”
“Got enough for me?” Gordon licked his lips as he eyed the brown paper bag.
“Ha! No way. It’s not like you’ll starve. Your wife will be here in about ten minutes with a nice cooked meal. You’re spoiled, old man. Spoiled rotten. So where is she?”
Gordon cocked his head towards the back of the shop with a chuckle. “Taking the rubbish out back.”
“Alone?” Matt frowned. “Where’s the minder Lake sent?”
“We told him to go get some lunch.”
Matt pursed his lips. He didn’t like that one bit. “He’s supposed to stay with her, Gordon. Someone else could have fetched the food.”
“She’s fine. You worry too much.” Gordon rolled his eyes.
“It’s my job to worry,” Matt grumbled.
Matt made sure to hold the bag away from the threat of Gordon’s sticky fingers as he headed through the shop. It wasn’t until he pushed the door open that the hairs on his arms stood to attention. Without questioning his instinct, he put the bag down beside the door and cautiously stepped out into the alley. Nothing. He studied the space in front of him. No Jena. No sign of a struggle. Nothing at all.
Matt felt anxiety take hold of his stomach as his appetite fled. He pushed the door open again and called for Gordon. “She isn’t here. Did you send her somewhere else?” The words were bitten out. This was wrong. She wouldn’t wander off. She wasn't stupid.
“Do I look like an idiot, son?” Gordon came up beside him with a frown. “I remember what you told me. Jena does too. If she isn’t here, there’s a problem.”
Matt swallowed his fear. He took out his phone and dialled Lake. “Jena’s missing. She went out back with the rubbish and she’s gone.”
“On my way,” Lake said, then the phone went dead.
Gordon’s whole head had turned red. “I’m sorry, son. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let her come out here alone.”
“We don’t know if it’s anyone’s fault. She may have just wandered off.” Although Matt didn’t think Jena was stupid enough to do something like that.
And from the look on Gordon’s face, neither did he.
A minute later Lake appeared in the alley, leaving the back entrance to his shop open behind him.
“Tyre tracks.” Lake pointed to the dirt-covered ground.
“There are vans and trucks making deliveries here all the time,” Gordon pointed out.
One by one the back doors of the shops along the alleyway opened and the shopkeepers stepped out.
“I had Harry call everyone,” Lake said.
“You take that end.” Matt pointed down the alley. “I'll start at the other end. Somebody had to have seen something. This town is full of people who can't mind their own business.”
They separated and jogged off towards the worried townsfolk. All the while, Matt forced himself to concentrate on the task in hand and not on the panic making its way through his gut.
They had been on the road for about ten minutes when Joe removed his hand from Jena's mouth. She knew there was no point screaming; she was pretty sure they'd cleared the edge of town anyway. There was no one to hear a cry for help other than the two idiots who held her captive.
“You two have got to be the most stupid criminals alive. You've kidnapped a cop’s girlfriend.” She turned to Grunt. “A cop who just so happens to be your girlfriend's brother. I really don't see how you're going to get out of this with all your limbs intact. Not to mention you can kiss goodbye to Claire's bed. Once she hears about this, you'll never get to touch her again.”
Grunt grunted. It sounded like a painful grunt. One where he acknowledged his gross stupidity. Jena scoffed. It was way too late for remorse.
“You said you didn't work for Vince Rizzoni,” Jena said to Grunt. “So why are you doing this? I hope Frank is paying you enough money to face a kidnapping charge. I don't think they're as lenient with felons in Scotland as they are in the States. You want to do the time for Frank? A guy who doesn't know the meaning of loyalty. If you think he's going to stick by you when the shit hits the fan, you are seriously mistaken.”
Joe let out a heavy sigh. “When we said we were taking you to make you talk, we didn't mean to us. How about you zip it until you have Frank's attention?”
Jena barked out an angry laugh. “Yeah, I'll get right on that. After all, you did kidnap me, therefore I should do everything you tell me to do. You two must be new to this criminal thing. I’ve got to tell you, I'm far from impressed. Used to be there was a better class of criminal in Atlantic City. There were professional standards. You’re falling short, boys.”
Joe sighed heavily. “We aren't criminals. This is a job. One we regret taking. Trust me, we want Frank to head back to the States as much as you do. Now how about you cooperate and we’ll get this over with?”
She twisted in his hold and glared up at him. “You've never been in a serious relationship, have you? I bet the only women you're used to are the ones you pay to do as they're told. Well listen up, buster, you're about to learn something important. Real women, normal women, don't get paid by the hour to follow orders.”
Joe frowned at her while there was a bark of laughter from the front of the van.
Jena's head snapped towards Grunt. “I don't know why you're laughing. Do you think your innocent little school teacher will want you now you've kidnapped her brother's girlfriend?”
“Mine,” Grunt practically roared.
Joe winced. “Ignore him. He does that. He's got a possessive streak a mile wide when it comes to Claire.” He lowered his voice, until Jena was sure she was the only one who could hear him. “Unless you want him beating his chest and climbing the nearest tall building with a roar, it'd be good idea not to yank his chain.”
Yeah, like she was going to listen to that advice. She rolled her eyes at the idiot holding her. “Hey, Animal Man,” she called to Grunt. “First thing I'm doing when I'm free is have a very long, and detailed, chat with your girlfriend. Even if she still wants to see you after that, you'll need to get past her brother and half of Scotland's police force to do it.”
The noise that echoed through the van was a mixture of angry gorilla and disgruntled Hulk.
She flashed an evil grin at the back of Grunt's head. “How about you turn this van around and I won't talk to Claire? This can be our secret. Right now all you've done is take me for a little ride. That's all. I bet we can get back to the shop before anyone even notices I'm missing. You can still save your relationship with Claire. You want that, don't you, Grunt?”
Grunt shot a look at Joe. She could see the indecision in his eyes, and for a moment she thought she had him.
“Don't even think about it,” Joe snapped. “You know the alternative. I'll help you do damage control with Claire. She'll understand. Eventually. Keep this van heading forward.”
With a frustrated grunt, the big man turned his attention back to the road.
“I don't see how you can fix this,” Jena told them both. “I'm a woman—trust me, kidnapping another woman isn't something you get over.”
A beefy hand covered her mouth.
“I like you better when you can't talk,” Joe said.
Jena let out a muffled wail. There was nothing she could do now but stew until they reached their destination.