AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why, I suppose I could spare a few minutes for you, sugar.” Her throaty voice turns to pure honey.
“I really appreciate it.” I give her a smile, and she exhales a laugh, batting her lashes.
“How can I help you?”
Holding her elbow, I escort her to her seat, taking a chair beside her. “What are you drinking?”
“Just an Earl Grey tea.” She reaches into her bag and gives me a peek at a silver flask. “We can make it Irish if you want.”
“From what I remember, you make everything Irish,” Gwen quips, and I nudge her foot under the table.
“Thanks for taking the time to meet with us.” I double down on the charm. “We’re trying to find Stan Roswell, and Edna seems to think you know where he is.”
“Stan and I’ve kept in touch.” She blinks, suggestively, then she lifts her teacup, daintily taking a sip while holding out her pinky finger. “But I don’t like betraying my friends without a good reason.”
Gwen mutters something under her breath, but I push on. “We think he’s involved in a kidnapping. It would really help us out a lot if you could give us any idea where he might be hiding.”
Her brow rises. “A kidnapping?” She lowers the teacup and places her hand against her ample bosom. “My goodness. Who did he kidnap?”
“My daughter.” Gwen’s tone is flat.
“Oh.” Belinda shakes her head, holding up one hand. “That Roswell-Bailey feud is as old as Methuselah. It’s as old as her.” She nods at Gwen, who is fuming. “I’m not getting in the middle of it. I’ve never been able to tell who was telling the truth.”
I cut Gwen off before she blows. “What if I told you he killed Gary Blue?”
Belinda’s eyes widen, and she sits back in her chair. “Gary’s dead?”
Reaching across, I touch her arm lightly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were close.”
Shaking her head, she lifts a napkin to her nose. “We weren’t that close, but he was always so kind. He wouldn’t hurt anybody. He was a veteran.”
Gwen leans forward, her voice low. “Stan stole his leg, framed him for crimes he didn’t commit, then dumped his dead body in a corn field. Still want to protect him?”
Belinda’s mouth curls in horror. “Stole his leg? That’s just low.”
“Please help us find him before he hurts anyone else.” My tone is gentle, and I slide my hand over hers. “Help me, Belinda.”
She sits up a little straighter, circling her eyes over me again before melting into a smile. “Of course, handsome, I’m happy to help you. Do you have a map?”
CHAPTER30
BRITT
Ithink I’ve been here three days. Maybe four, but I don’t know how long I was here before I regained consciousness from the drugs. Maybe it’s been longer.
Three times a day, Stan escorts me down to the small restroom. Twice a day, he delivers meals. Every time, he’s stern, quiet, not giving me any more information or updates.
I’ve stood on the balcony for hours, scanning every inch of the roof, the gutters, the shrubbery below, trying to find a way to escape. I’m at the very top of a three-story house, and nothing is between me and the ground.
From this height, I wouldn’t survive the jump, but I can take the bedsheets off the small twin bed, tie them together, and make a rope to climb down as far as possible. Obviously, I’ll have to do it in the middle of the night, when I’m somewhat sure Stan won’t walk in and catch me. Then hopefully, I can steal a car or run to get help before he realizes I’m gone.
If my makeshift rope doesn’t slip. If I don’t fall and break anything or make too much noise on the way down.
A short bookcase against the wall holds a variety of books. I don’t recognize most of the titles, but a hardcover edition ofDaddyby Danielle Steel is tucked behind a biography of John Adams. It’s not as racy as I’d hoped based on the title, but the ridiculous, twelve-hour lovemaking session is enough to keep me distracted from the fear prickling at my skin while I wait for time to pass.
The day wears on, until judging by the position of the sun, it’s getting close to dinnertime. I hear Stan’s footsteps climbing the stairs, and I toss the book aside, placing my hands in my lap and doing my best to appear non-threatening.
Instead of dropping off a plate of food, however, he studies me from the top step. “Would you like to come out of this room now?”
