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“Ontario, Canada.”
“Ah. When do you think you’ll go?”
“Not until the next school year, I think. I’ve only got a few more months here. I might as well finish my undergrad.”
I nodded. “Very sensible. I approve.”
Wally rolled his eyes. “Listen, I haven’t eaten yet today. I know you don’t do junk food, but there’s this artisanal pizza place that I’ve been dying to try. Feel like grabbing a bite with me before I have to pack?”
I patted him on the shoulder. “You know what? Sure. Sounds good. Let me just grab my coat. Now, what exactly makes a pizzaartisanal?”
“Oh, gosh. A number of things. How it’s made, the types of ingredients…”
“Sounds like a ploy to charge customers more.”
“Also that.”
We started toward the elevator when my phone started to ring. I was tempted to ignore it and spend some quality time with my son. Our relationship was far from fully repaired, but this was a step in the right direction. We could heal from this. Learn from it. Maybe start to see things eye to eye.
I answered anyways, only because I noticed Lance’s caller ID pop up on screen. He wasn’t due to make his check-in call for another hour, and he was never one to call just for the hell of making conversation. Something must have happened.
I answered quickly, concern rising into my throat. “Talk to me.”
“—slipped me somethin’,” Lance said, words slurred.
“What? Is everything alright?”
“Oh, fuck,” he blurted. “What the fuck did she give me?”
“Do you mean Vivian? What happened? Is she okay?”
“She’s… gone, Jesse. I, um, can’t find her anywhere.”
“What do mean she’s gone?”
“She, uh, made me some tea,” he mumbled. “Next thing I know I’m wakin’ up on the floor and—”
“I’ll be right there,” I said, hanging up. I looked at Wally and said, “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Can I get a rain check on that pizza?”
“Sure, I understand. Need me to come with?”
“No, I think it’s better if you stay here. I’ll take care of her, don’t worry.”
“Be careful, Dad.”
I nodded. He didn’t have to tell me twice.
Chapter 31
Vivian
All I had to do was wait for Lance to conk out before I swiped his car keys and made for the door, pulling out of the driveway with ease. Did I feel bad about slipping him enough sleep aids to tranquilize a horse? Of course. Was I worried that it would be enough to kill him? Not at all. I made sure to double check my math before slipping the medication into his tea, which I offered him politely as a kind gesture. I’d apologize once this whole ordeal was over and done with.
I followed the navigation app on my phone to the exact location Molly’s kidnapper requested. Much to my surprise, it led me straight to a busy restaurant, which was a relief. I thought for sure he’d want me to go to some abandoned warehouse or some other textbook villain hideout location.
There were tons of people inside, plus a handful of waitstaff. If anything went sideways, at least there’d be plenty of witnesses to call 9-1-1. A part of me did wonder why he’d choose somewhere so public. Maybe he didn’t want to make a scene. Maybe all he wanted was the USB in exchange for Molly, no funny business.
Either that, or he was trying to lull me into a false sense of security. I proceeded with caution.
