Page 3 of Knight Watch

Chapter Two

Kingsley caughtShane’s signal as he came out of the locker room and headed toward him. The other team members were already discussing the next phase of their training as well as comparing notes on the advanced combat techniques used in their respective fields of work, with definite bragging laced in between. From the corner of his eye, he saw Caitlin laughing at something Mercy said, Killian close on his mistress’ heel.

It would take some time for everybody to work cohesively—their personalities, backgrounds, and experiences had to be taken into account as they found their rhythm, their natural place inside the group.

Kingsley entered the conference room behind Shane, about to ask a question when he saw Emme sitting at the head of the table deep in conversation with a man. Immediately, he slid his poker face on, it seemed business was in order.

The man looked well into his fifties, with a haughty air and suit that screamed money and power. Not a strand of graying hair out of place, perfectly shaven, he was the image of control, although, at that moment, anxiety was the primary emotion Kingsley could see on his face.

Emme turned. “Mr. Rutherford, this is Shane Rhodes, co-founder of the Alliance Agency, and Kingsley Knight, a member of our team.”

Before him was the client Cleo had referred to earlier. Rutherford shook Shane’s hand before shaking his. The grip was forceful, more than it should be and most probably a result of the strain he could see on the man’s face.

Kingsley sat, letting Shane and Emme take the lead as he wasn’t sure of his bosses’ intentions or why he’d been included in the meeting.

“I came to you, to your agency, on the referral of a few very close friends who know your ties with Purgatory here in the US and Fortis in the UK. Their impeccable reputations, as well as the fact you are located here in Miami, helped to confirm my choice. I’ve found it best to have people who know the ins and outs of this city. I need someone found quickly. My niece, Sydney Rutherford.”

Shane frowned. “Sir, the first step is to contact the police. I know someone—”

“No!” After the initial outburst, he lowered his voice. “No. It’s impossible. The kidnappers told me I couldn’t contact anyone.” He swallowed hard. “I have never been close to Sydney, so it was a shock when I received pictures of her, bound to a chair, gagged and helpless. That was when they sent me messages asking for money. I transferred it, regularly, through various accounts, but it wasn’t enough. It was never enough. They promised to free her each time, but it was a lie. And lately, they wouldn’t let me speak to her at all. They would put her on the phone…” And for the first time, his voice hitched a little. “But not the last few times they called… I don’t know what happened.”

Emme looked at Shane and him before turning to Rutherford. “Please tell us everything from the beginning. Details are important.”

At her words, Rutherford seemed to bring himself back under control. “It started three weeks ago when I received a sealed envelope with pictures of Sydney bound to a chair. There was a note telling me to memorize a bank account number and send the first payment of one hundred thousand dollars, so my niece continued to breathe. I paid.”

Kingsley leaned forward. “Do you still have the pictures?”

Rutherford shook his head. “The note said to destroy everything. I did. I destroyed them, along with the message, as they said if I contacted the authorities, they would cut her into pieces.”

Shane looked somber. “And how many times have they contacted you for money since then?”

“Seven times over the course of three weeks. And each time I was able to speak to her briefly. But as I said, not last few times. I… have a bad feeling. I’m such a fool! I thought I could pay them off, that giving them money would be enough.” The man put his face in his hands for an instant, and when he looked up again, he was once more composed and steady. “There isn’t much more to tell. Same male voice each and every time. Slightly distorted and I couldn’t hear an accent.”

“And what about your niece? What did she say when she was on the phone?”

Kingsley liked Emme’s question.

“She sounded scared. Each time she begged me to help her, to rescue her.” Rutherford swallowed hard before continuing. “And I failed her…”

Kingsley leaned back on his chair. There wasn’t a lot to go on.

Shane waited a moment before asking another question. “Do you know of anybody who would want to hurt your niece?”

He shook his head. “I can’t answer that. I don’t know her all that well.”

Kingsley asked the question that was burning his tongue. “Do you have any enemies, Mr. Rutherford?”

Now, ice returned to the man’s gaze. “Of course I do. You don’t become as wealthy as I am without making people angry or envious of your success. But I doubt any of them would have the audacity to act.”

Shane nodded. “Mr. Rutherford, would you allow us to investigate? We’d need access to your phone. There may be a chance we can trace the kidnappers. Also, we’d need you to list everybody, people and organizations, that may hold grudges against you and would retaliate in any way.”

Rutherford straightened in his chair, looking at the three of them as he would probably do to his subordinates at one of his board meetings. “You have total carte blanche. Money’s no object. I’ll give you full access to anything you require. And my phone if you like. I’ll go through my recent mergers with my assistant and send you a list. I’ve brought some recent pictures of Sydney for you.”

As they rose, Shane offered his hand. “Be assured we take your case seriously and will do everything in our power to save your niece. Kingsley will be the team leader on this and will inform you personally of any developments and of the steps taken to find your niece.”

It was a jolt to hear his name and the trust in Shane’s voice. The approval on Emme’s face confirmed it was a topic his bosses had discussed beforehand.

In turn, he shook Rutherford’s hand. “Rest assured I won’t stop until I find your niece, sir.”