Page 10 of My Favorite Kidnapper

“Contact information. I need it.”

“I don’t have it.”

“What? How did you pay her?”

“She requested cash. Amanda paid her.”

“Give me her last name and address, then.”

He stroked his chin. “I have no idea. I only met her twice, I think. Amanda maybe a couple more times. I have no recollection of her last name or any idea where she lives. She is Carolina’s friend, and since she is an adult, I don’t know the details of all her friends.”

I pulled out my phone and texted Amanda, who had gone to have lunch with a friend. I sipped my scotch impatiently, waiting for her response. When it came, I snorted in disgust.

“She doesn’t recall either. Paid Brianna cash.”

“Well, you can ask Carolina when she is back from her honeymoon.”

That was in two weeks, which was far too long. “I’ll be back home. I’ll text her now.”

He lifted his eyebrows, shaking his head in reminder. “The resort you sent them to is cell-phone free. It’s getting popular. No devices of any kind are allowed. We have an emergency email at the resort you so generously paid for, but no phones in the cabana or with them. Stops them from working on their honeymoon.”

Inside, I raged, but I was good at keeping my emotions under wraps. I knew that. But my head was so full of this girl, I had forgotten that rule on the resort, but I could get around it.

“Well then, I’ll get it later.”

“I still have a couple of cupcakes I’ll share.”

I leaned back, pretending that was all I cared about. “Perfect.”

“How much longer are you here for?”

I shrugged. I had planned on leaving tomorrow, but now I had other ideas. “A few more days. I have some things to take care of.”

“How’re the galleries?”

“Business is great. At all of them.”

“And the, ah, other ventures?”

I tilted my head, not giving anything away. “Quiet. I am only needed on occasion.”

“Good.”

“Everything all right for you?”

He nodded. “Some new clients, fresh money. Lots of investing and no one has lost a cent.”

I flashed him a grin. His clients would never lose a penny. My brother had a magic touch and, with my silent support, would beat the market, no matter what.

I raised my glass. “To another successful year.”

He lifted his as well. “May we both get what we want.”

I sipped my scotch.

I fully intended to.

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