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“Of course. Do you need me to contact the authorities?”
“No,” Connor answered for me. “No police yet, Marian. We’ll handle it privately for now.”
She looked from me to him and back again. “How?”
I answered. “I’ve called Victoria Nolan and she’s on her way here now. Her ex-husband works for a private security firm that deals with this sort of thing, and she’s going to call him and see if he can help us.”
“Do we know who’s got her?”
I breathed in and out deeply before answering. “Her mother and sister.”
Marian’s eyes went wide as they filled with tears. “Jason.”
“There’s more. Harlow Sterling is really Helena Edwards, Janet’s daughter and Emilia’s half-sister.”
Her shocked gasp was loud and her face turned white. “Oh my God. She’s been working for us for over a year.”
“I know. I’m still…” I trailed off, not sure what to say.
She looked over at Connor. “Are you sure we shouldn’t involve the police? Perhaps notify the F.B.I.?”
He shook his head. “No, we’ve been warned not to involve the authorities if we want Emilia back alive.”
She wrung her hands and looked around the hallway restlessly. “I’ll prepare some refreshments.”
I took her hand and squeezed it. I understood she was trying to stay busy as a method of distraction. “That would be great.”
By the time Victoria arrived at the office, I was frantic with worry about Emilia. I’d been pacing the large, private meeting room on the same floor as our offices for a good half hour.
“Jason!”
“Vic.” My voice was hoarse, and I didn’t hesitate to return the hug she gave me.
“I’m so sorry, honey. We’ll get her back, I promise.”
I held on to her for longer than I normally would, her embrace comforting. When I finally let her go, she turned to the other man in the room and nodded in greeting. “Connor, good to see you again. I’m sorry it’s under such terrible circumstances.”
“Likewise, Ms. Nolan.”
“Please, call me Victoria. So what do we know?”
The three of us sat down and we brought her up to speed with everything. Her face was grave as she listened, but she got emotional when she found out who was behind it and upon hearing about my conversation with Emilia.
Victoria reached for my hand, holding it in hers. “I called Julian in the car, and he’s on his way to us now. I think he’s bringing one of his teammates with him. Thankfully, the security firm has its own private jet, so they should get here later tonight.”
I closed my eyes and sighed with relief. Victoria’s ex-husband, Julian Westcott, was a former special ops Marine who now worked for a private security firm based in Asheville, North Carolina. I’d met him a few times while they’d still been married and he seemed like a good guy. Both Emilia and I had been genuinely sorry to hear of their separation, and I’d always gotten the impression there was still a lot of love between the two of them.
From what Emilia had told me, their marriage had fallen apart because of their jobs. Being a Marine meant Julian had been gone for months at a time, and Victoria was no slouch in the travel department, regularly crossing the globe for her company. They’d spent more time away from each other than they had together.
Marian came into the room carrying a large tray. It had four mugs and a plate of pastries on it. She greeted Victoria and handed out the coffee before placing the pastries in the middle of the table. “When was the last time you ate, Jason?”
My stomach growled at the sight of food. “Not since breakfast.”
“Eat a little something, then.” She scooped up a bear claw and popped it onto a plate, adding a napkin to it.
I picked at it listlessly before looking at Connor. “Should I contact the bank and arrange for the cash?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. I could see he was tired, because his shift had ended a while ago, and I appreciated him staying with me. “I’m not sure. Perhaps we should ask Julian.”
Victoria took out her cell and dialed her ex-husband. After a short conversation, she put the phone down again. “They’re in the air now and will be here in a couple of hours. Julian said not to do anything with the bank right now. We’ll discuss it when he arrives.”
I nodded.
And prayed, with everything I had, this man I barely knew could save the woman I loved.
