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Cassie ground her teeth together. On the plus side, the man thought she was Rose. On the downside, once he figured out she wasn’t, Cassie would pay the price. The pillow might be able to protect her against an initial attack if he was aiming for the baby, but it would only take him seconds to realize his mistake.
Then he’d be able to drive the weapon into her side. Her chest. Her brain.
“You wouldn’t hurt a baby, would you?” The sob that escaped her voice was real. “You’re a monster.”
“I’ve been called much worse, Mrs. Sherman.” Licking his lips, there was a hunger in his eyes as he dragged her toward the exit. “And yes, I would kill an unborn child if it came between me and what I want. Although, I’ll admit I would rather avoid that scenario.”
Cassie didn’t know what to say. If she screamed and managed to escape, they would lose their chance to find Bob. “Detective Harris will find you. She won’t let you get away with this.”
“Doubtful, even if Thompson manages to let her escape twice in one day.”
Thompson must’ve been the janitor’s name, further confirming the man chasing Rose and the lawyer were working together. But she still couldn’t see the big picture. She needed more time. They were too close to the exit now. And as soon as they hit the outside air, there was no telling what he would do or where he would take her.
As the crowd funneled through the doors and onto the sidewalk outside, Cassie dug her heels in, but was rewarded with a sharp pinch to her side. The icepick had broken skin, and she gasped in response.
The man leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Mrs. Sherman, I suggest you don’t struggle. This pick is long enough to spear your baby through the head. Not to mention your own vital organs. Death will be slow and painful. Trust me when I say you do not want that.”
“What are you going to do with me?” she croaked.
“Ask you some questions. That’s all.”
She very much doubted that. “And Bob? You’ll let him go?”
“Yes, I will let him go. If you’re quiet and do as you’re told.”
Cassie bit back a retort. The plan might not have gone how they’d wanted it to, but was it different than they’d expected? Harris didn’t have Bob yet, but they’d come up with an alternative if Cassie was kidnapped. The GPS tracking beacon was buried deep inside the pillow, where the man would never find it. As soon as Harris had Thompson under control, she’d come after Cassie. Nothing would happen to her. She could survive long enough to be rescued.
That thought alone was enough for Cassie to straighten her back as the man pulled her through the doors. A small gasp escaped her mouth when the winter air hit her in the face. Before she knew it, she was away from the rest of the crowd and around the side of the building. The man pulled her across the parking lot, never letting up the pressure on her side, until they stood in front of a black panel van with tinted windows.
“Your chariot awaits,” the man said, chuckling to himself. “Are you going to give me any problems?”
“No, sir.” What other answer was there?
“Good. I like you, Rose. You’re a smart woman.”
Cassie just gulped. “I-I don’t even know your name.”
“I have many names. I’m awfully fond of Zephyr. Do you like Greek mythology, Rose?”
“Y-yes.” Cassie did, actually. “Zephyrus was the Greek god of the western wind.”
“Very good. He was also the gentlest of the winds. Isn’t that funny?”
She didn’t think so, but something told her this man would punish dishonesty, so she kept her mouth shut. He seemed to understand her dilemma and smiled, releasing the icepick from her side and placing it in his pocket. But the grip around her bicep never loosened, not even when he leaned over and opened the side door of the van.
“My real name is Joseph Zbirak.” He looked lost in thought for a moment. “I think I would like you to call me Mr. Zbirak.”
“Okay.” It was all she could squeak out. It felt like there was no air in her lungs.
“Would you like me to call you Rose or Mrs. Sherman?”
“R-Rose.”
He nodded politely. “In you go, Rose.”
Zbirak didn’t give Cassie a chance to protest. He simply lifted her into the van and sat her on the bench seat, where he handcuffed each arm to a steel loop protruding from the side of the vehicle. Then he buckled her into place, careful not to jostle her pregnant belly.
He peered down at her, assessing her situation. “I suppose that’s not very comfortable, but you’re in for a bit of a ride, Rose. We’ll be there soon enough.”
