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“Wait...” She needed to tell Alex what she’d learned, but now she realized she didn’t want to return to that awful cell until she had to. Surely a few more minutes wouldn’t make a difference. “Let’s go on the rest of the rides. And I’ll take that cotton candy. I’m feeling a little better.”
“Okay.” He paused for a moment before softly saying, “I’m sorry. I really am.”
She wanted to put her hands around his neck and scream, If you were actually sorry, you’d get us out of here! But she knew if she overreacted it could hurt the women waiting back at the house, all praying that Alex could get them out. So she just nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “What other rides do you have?”
“The Tilt-a-Whirl and the train. And we have some booths with games.”
Tracy smiled. “Let’s do it.”
He seemed a little distracted, but she decided to ignore that and try to enjoy her last moments of freedom. The breeze was mild, and it was the kind of evening she’d enjoyed at her parents’ house, sitting on their deck in the backyard while the kids caught lightning bugs.
They rode the train that surrounded the small park. It allowed Tracy to see the entire perimeter. She’d hoped it would provide something that might help, but all she could see were trees until they were almost back to where they’d started. A large shed was partially hidden behind the tree line. What was inside? Something that could be used as a weapon? She couldn’t see a lock on the latch that kept it closed, but she had to be careful not to stare at it too closely. She didn’t want to alert him to her interest. Someone had to be doing maintenance work on the park and on the grounds. It was possible there were shears inside. Something sharp. She’d tell Alex about it.
They rode the Tilt-a-Whirl—a little awkward since the air kicked up by the ride’s rotation blew her daisy-dress skirt up a little. She put her hands on her lap to keep herself covered. She had no idea if he was looking since he was behind her, but he seemed totally disinterested in her as a woman.
It was also clear he wasn’t going to help them. He must be too afraid of Andy. Or maybe he really was so happy living in luxury that he didn’t want to risk losing his lifestyle. He’d said he’d once had it rough. There was really no way to know his motivation.
They played one game where Tracy threw balls into rings on a table. When she won, he gave her a stuffed cat. Once again, she was moved to tears.
“Sorry. It reminds me of my mother’s cat back home. She looks just like this.”
He looked uncomfortable again, but she wasn’t going to push him anymore. It was obviously useless.
“Let’s go back,” she said, “and thanks for this. It was nice to get out of there for a while.”
“You’re welcome.” He paused for a moment. “I really do wish I could do something.”
“I understand,” she said, even though she didn’t. Right now all she wanted to do was to tell Alex what she’d learned. She prayed it would help them somehow.
As they walked toward the house, she decided to bring up something else Alex had mentioned. “You guys have cameras in each room but no speakers. You watch us, but you’re not listening. Can I ask why?”
He sighed. “He says it’s not necessary because there’s nothing you can plan that will get you out of here. But more than that, he worries that buying a system like that might get some attention from the authorities. He’s very careful about not doing anything that might look suspicious.”
More indication that Andy was running the show. She didn’t know why, but her abductor seemed to be letting his guard down with her.
“But the cameras...”
“Were already in place when he inherited this place.”
So Andy owned this property?
“That makes sense. At least it gives us a little privacy.” She’d heard of people installing cameras in their wine cellars to prevent theft.
“So what happened to all the wine?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” He seemed flustered by her question. Was she not supposed to know they were being kept in a wine cellar? Had she just made a mistake? “I’m sorry. I thought maybe it was once a wine cellar, but I could be wrong. I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had one.”
He said nothing as he walked her inside the kitchen and then to the door that led downstairs. “Wait here. Andy will be here shortly.”
“I will. And thanks. It surprises me, but I had a good time.”
He smiled. “I’m glad. Good night.”
He left through a door that had to lead to another room. She was tempted to open the drawers and find a knife, but she was afraid of ruining Alex’s plan.
After a few minutes, the door her date had left through opened behind her. “Don’t look at me,” a voice said before she could turn around.
Andy. She kept her eyes facing the door to the cellar. “Okay.”
“Now open the door and head downstairs.”
She followed his instructions all the way to the door of her cell.
“After you get ready for bed,” he said, “place the dress and shoes by the bottom panel of your door. Just like the trays. Your tea is in there waiting for you.”
She pushed her door open and stepped inside, then winced as the key turned in the lock. She waited until she heard the door at the end of the hall close before sliding open the upper panel in her door. “Anyone awake?”
Silence.
She would have to wait until tomorrow to tell Alex what she’d learned.
