AN: Wishing all my readers and fellow writers a blessed and very Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year!
Tanith
Chapter 38
George Holden entered the modest apartment of the building he was very close to owning. "Mrs. Lee," he greeted smugly. Closing the door behind him, he walked over to the sofa where the sobbing woman sat guarded by his ever loyal and useful head of security, Lonnie Caprielli.
"Please give me back my daughter!" Kim begged in between her anguished sobs.
"Not until you sign those papers that we talked about. My lawyer will see you first thing in the morning with the documents and you will do as he asks or you will never see your little girl again. If you call the police, I will know and you will never see your little girl again. If you tell anyone about this, you will never see your little girl again! I think that covers everything or is there anything I wasn't clear on, Mrs. Lee?"
"Where have your men taken her?" Kim cried, her primary concern was of her daughter's safety.
"That is not something you are required to know. Cooperate with me and I'll make sure she is returned in good health. I'm not a monster but at the end of the day, we all have to make a living, don't we?" George propositioned.
"If I sign the papers, where will my daughter and I go? This is our home and my husband's business is our only source of income!"
"Was. I heard that your husband was involved in an unfortunate accident,"George said mockingly.
"Accident? No, he was attacked by your men!" Kim accused.
"You have no proof that my men had anything to do with such a violent incident. Nevertheless, my offer still stands," George paused then sighing he continued, "Mrs. Lee, I'm not entirely unreasonable. You're an attractive woman. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement when the time comes."
Kim's mouth dropped open in outrage at such an indecent proposal. No, she would never offer her body to him! She couldn't!
Enjoying the reaction he drew from the woman, he added, "Think about it. In the mean time, I must be off. Good night, my dear. And don't worry, I'll make sure Christina – that is her name, I believe - has her breakfast before she is returned. That should give you ample time to ensure everything is in order," George Holden leered. Without waiting for a response, he sauntered out of the apartment, leaving a distraught young mother trapped in a nightmare she could not wake up from.
"I can't believe it. No, I don't believe it!" Mike ranted. "He checked out. Why did he not wait for me? Well, wait till I get my hands on him! I'm going to box his ears!"
Irene raised her eyebrows. "And I suppose you wouldn't have done the same thing?"
"That's besides the point! Anyway, whose side are you on?" Mike grumpily retorted.
"I'm not taking any sides. I'm just stating a fact. You would have done the exact same thing," Irene reasoned.
He didn't leave on his own. He had no wheels. Mike ignored Irene and addressed the receptionist once again. "Excuse me. You wouldn't happen to know who my partner left with, would you?"
The receptionist took a moment to think back then replied with a blush, "I don't remember his name but he was a little older than your partner and quite the charmer, I must say."
Mike's first thought was it had to be either Hassejian or Tanner. "Was he a white guy?"
"No, he was black."
"Thank you, Miss. You've been very helpful," Mike said then turned to Irene. "It was Tanner. He picked him up."
"Excuse me but you wouldn't happen to have your friend's telephone number, would you?" the pretty receptionist cut in.
"Steve's?" Mike asked, feeling even more annoyed at his partner. What was it with him and women?
"No, Tanner's," the young woman giggled.
"Oh," Mike said, taken aback. "I'll mail it to you." Grabbing Irene by the elbow, he pulled her away and headed out of the hospital, leaving a confused and slightly disappointed love-struck woman behind.
"You could've at least got her name," Irene said, hurrying to keep up with Mike's long strides.
"What for? He's already taken!" Mike said gruffly.
Irene shrugged. "By whom? Alison? I thought they broke up?"
"They did but they're on again," Mike replied. What is it with the younger generation and their tendency to wonder in and out of relationships at a whim? The thought made him worry all the more for his daughter and for Steve!
When they reached their cars, Mike wasted no time radioing headquarters to patch him through to Bill.
"Mike, what's up?" Tanner greeted.
"Did you pick up Steve earlier?" Mike questioned.
"Yeah, he should be home by now. Is everything okay?'
"No, everything is not okay. What do you mean he should be home by now? Didn't you drive him there?"
"No...uh...he wanted to pick up his Porsche at the shop first so I took him to Joe's. Mike, he's been trying to reach you all afternoon. He has something important he wants to talk to you about. He..."
"Alright, I'm heading over to his place now. Ten-four." Mike replaced the receiver into the cradle before Bill could say anymore and looked up at Irene who stood beside the car.
"I'm gonna check on Steve. Are you coming?"
"Of course. I'll be right behind you," Irene replied then turned to enter her own car which was parked beside Mike's.