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“Thanks, no.” Aidan crossed over and sat in the upholstered chair across from the sofa. “I’d rather just get down to business.”
He waited until Vance had taken a seat beside his wife, using that time to study Susan. Something in particular was on her mind. She was fidgeting now and her gaze had faltered a bit when she’d told him she was following his rules. He’d better find out what was going on—now.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” he asked bluntly.
Susan looked startled, then swallowed hard and nodded. “Jessica and Andrew—our other two children—they’re asking questions and worrying about their sister’s less-than-friendly texts. I’ve waylaid them as best as I can. But they’re highly intelligent adults, Aidan. If they become any more suspicious, they’re likely to start poking around on their own. That could be disastrous. I want them to know the truth. You can do all the talking; that’s fine with me. But at this point it’s more harmful to keep them in the dark than it is to be frank and ask for their silence, just as you did mine.”
Aidan wasn’t particularly surprised by the request. In fact, he was relieved that’s all that Susan was withholding. Something like this he could and would deal with—now.
“I appreciate your position,” he said. “But this situation needs to stay controlled. Including you is as far as I’m comfortable taking this. You’ll have to keep your other two kids in the dark. It’s the only way to ensure mistakes aren’t made. Lie if you have to and tell them Lauren’s contacted you and she’s off having a great time in areas that have terrible cell reception. It’s only for a few days. Please don’t make me regret having brought you into the loop.”
Susan bowed her head, grappling with her emotions. When she looked up, her cheeks were stained with tears. “Fine,” she said. “I’ll do as you ask.”
“Will you?” Aidan searched her face, seeking the confirmation he needed.
“Yes. I will—for Lauren.”
“Good.” She wasn’t lying. Aidan would have spotted that immediately.
Dashing away her tears, Susan leaned forward. “Tell us where things stand. Do you know where Lauren is? Do you have a rescue plan in place?”
“Susan, let Aidan talk before we start firing questions.” Vance’s rigid body language belied his gentle admonishment. He was struggling not to take control of this conversation. But he was clearly trying to be pragmatic—as pragmatic as a father could be under these circumstances.
“All right,” Susan replied, although the barrage of questions was still flickering across her face. “Go ahead, Aidan.”
“Start with your overseas team,” Vance said. “I already know what’s going on at this end thanks to Simone.”
“I intended to do just that,” Aidan replied calmly. He had to keep the Penningtons from erupting into panic. He’d give them everything he comfortably could—and then elicit their help. “My tactical team is in place and on the move. We’ve narrowed down the geographic area where the kidnappers are holding Lauren. We believe she’s somewhere in Croatia.”
This time it was Vance who couldn’t contain himself. “Somewhere? Croatia is a country, Devereaux, not a neighborhood. How are you going to cover that vast an area in a matter of days?”
“Quickly and strategically,” Aidan answered calmly. “Remember that, as of yesterday, we weren’t even sure if she was still in Europe. The kidnappers could have flown her anywhere in the world. We’ve gone from global to a single country in a matter of twenty-four hours. If we can do that, we can go the rest of the way. As we speak, my team is preparing to connect with the right people and make its way through the various Croatian cities and towns.”
“They’re all fluent in Croatian?”
“Our contacts and translators are, yes.”
Vance rose and began pacing the room. “It’s not enough. There has to be more we can do.”
“There is.” It was time for the implementation of Aidan’s idea. “I think I have a way for you to help us.”
Vance jerked around to face Aidan. “Name it.”
“It’s been over two days since the kidnappers have contacted you. I’d bet money that you’ll hear from them tomorrow. This time they’ll provide you with a way to contact them so they can get what they need. They’re going to want something as a show of faith—probably photographs from the specifications document.”
“How am I supposed to deal with that?”
“Tell them you need time. Buy yourself as much as they’ll allow.”
“Even so, how do I get the photos to them? Nano is a fortress. I can’t send out anything.”
“I’m working on a solution to that. In the meantime, you call me the minute the contact is made. I’ll have a plan in place. What’s crucial—and the way you can help us—is in your demands. You’re going to agree to give them what they want—under one condition. You’re going to insist on daily communications with Lauren to ensure she’s alive.”
“I’m going to what?”
“You’re going to demand to see and talk to your daughter on a daily basis.”
Vance stared. “And why the hell would they allow that?”
