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Tracy went with the man into the backyard. She could see it more clearly this time. The whole place was even larger than she’d thought. So expensive looking. He had to be rich? If so, he had the means to keep women here as long as he wanted. She suddenly felt overwhelmed and couldn’t help the tears that fell down her cheeks. She tried to keep him from noticing, but he did.
“Please don’t cry,” he said with a smile. “I promise it will be okay. We’re going to have fun. You’ll enjoy yourself.”
“No. No, I won’t. I want to go home. I miss my family. I miss my children.”
“You have children?” He looked surprised.
“Yes, a boy and a girl.” How could he not know that? Surely he’d researched her before abducting her. And she was certain her disappearance had been on the news.
He was silent as they headed toward the amusement park on the other side of a fence. He opened the gate, and they stood at the entrance to a small but impressive array of rides and booths. How could all this be here? Wherever here was. Again, trees surrounded the entire property, standing like silent guards. This place had to be tucked somewhere inside one of the forests in Virginia.
She noticed a large generator at the edge of the park. She’d seen another one when they came out of the house. Had he installed them so he didn’t need electrical services from a company that might notice this odd property in the woods? Did anyone even know this house was here?
“Let’s go on some rides,” he said. “Then we’ll get something to eat and we can talk.”
She wanted to slap him. But Alex told her to play it cool. To answer the questions the other women said he would ask and then direct him to Alex. Tracy still felt as if she was about to put Alex in danger, and she didn’t like it.
He led her to a beautiful carousel with colorful, carved horses and sparkling lights. It must be worth a fortune. She hopped up on a black horse, her legs dangling to one side since she had on a dress. He climbed up on a red one next to her. He really was being nice, but she made herself remember he’d kidnapped her. And that he may be a murderer.
He clicked some kind of device in his hand, and the carousel was activated. The music was the same tune he’d sung after he’d jabbed her in the neck with the syringe in the park, the same one they’d heard Andy whistling.
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I’m half crazy, all for the love of you. ...
Would that song be burned in her brain forever? “Why do you keep playing that?” she asked him. “You sang it when you ... when you took me.”
He shook his head. “I don’t like it. I sing it because I have to. Please don’t ask me about that.”
That was odd. Was Andy making him sing that song? None of the women saw him as a criminal mastermind.
The carousel finally slowed. What now?
“Let’s ride the Ferris wheel,” he said.
She didn’t respond, just dutifully went with him. The Ferris wheel wasn’t huge, but it was a decent size for a privately owned amusement park. Where did this guy get all his money?
“I heard I’m not supposed to ask your name,” she said as they got onto the Ferris wheel. “But what should I call you?”
He was quiet for a moment, then said, “You don’t need a name. I’m right here.”
“But you told Amy Andy’s name.”
“That was an accident. He was really upset about that slip.”
He pulled the bar that locked them into the car and pressed another button on the remote he carried with him. As one of the women said, he stayed on his side of the seat and left a space between them. Tracy was grateful, but she was also confused by him. It was almost like he was just following orders. But whose orders?
As they rode to the top, she looked out over the area. She could see the electric fence that surrounded the property, but part of it disappeared into the trees. And the house was even more spectacular than she’d thought. Brick, with turrets and scrollwork all along the roof.
“You must be very rich,” she said. She hadn’t meant to say it. The words just slipped out. “I mean, the house. And the grounds are beautiful.”
He nodded. “I’m grateful to be able to enjoy this property. It’s much nicer than any other place I’ve lived. My parents were very poor.”
“Well, you’ve done well for yourself.” She turned to look at him. As much as she detested him, she was struck again by how handsome he was. Longish dark hair. Blue eyes. Strong chin. Nice mouth. “I ... I just have a hard time seeing you as the kind of person who kidnaps women and imprisons them. I mean, look at you. And this place? You can’t have problems attracting women.”
“I ... I can’t talk about that,” he said, shifting in his seat, obviously uncomfortable.
“Okay. Sorry. I don’t want you to discipline the women because I did something wrong. Maybe it would be better if I just shut my mouth.”
