Chapter 21

5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10... 11... 12... 12.

12 steps was all she could count between the sound of the cell door opening and the assault of the cold wilderness. The blindfold was too tight for her to make out any shapes or form, but she could count the steps. From where she had been handcuffed to the outside of the cabin.

If Jason was right, then they must have brought the jet down somewhere near the Hudson Bay. Think Steele, what's close to Churchill.

All her years with Christian had trained Ana to see with more than just her eyes. She focused her attention on her surroundings, leaning in to the sound of the running water. She felt a kick as her knees gave way under her and her hand was jerked towards the sound. The icy stream running through her fingers felt good. She had hope. Her plan had worked.

Maybe.

The soft spoken man hadn't visited her in a week. He'd been angry the last time he saw her.

Thankfully Taylor's condition had improved. His leg didn't seem as swollen as it was, and he had gotten some color back in his face. She could tell he was still in pain, but it could not be helped. It was now or never.

She cupped her fingers and used the cold water to wipe away the grime. It had been days since she'd had anything close to a wash. It felt as if the dirt had settled on her very bones. She let her palms rest on her cheek for a moment more than necessary, listening for more. For anything that could help her figure out where they were. She could hear a thumping.

Water hitting something. A boat? Maybe a dock? Is that how they got us here?

Tanto had made sure to blindfold her and zip tie her hands in front of her. She honed in to try and feel the direction of the wind, maybe pick up the sound of a car or a distant highway.

Nothing.

Ana felt a rough tug on her shoulder. Tanto was pushing her back.

This is it.

She let him guide her back to the cabin, carefully counting steps and trying to remember directions. The only way this would work was if everything was timed perfectly. They couldn't afford any mistakes. Not even one.

She redoubled her focus, fixating on every sensation that she felt on her skin... where she felt grass... where a bush grazed up against her knee... 1...2...turn left...There!

The step hit her foot, as Tanto pushed her into the cabin, she focused on the sound of the door opening, the sound of jangling, then a metallic click...

Shit... a key...

That could only mean the cabin would lock from inside. Another shove, as she kept counting her steps.

The blindfold came off and she was thrown roughly back into her dark cell.

As the door locked behind her, she heard Jason whisper,

"So, did you figure it out?"

"Yes, it's a basement, and there's a flight of stairs to go up, there's the room, then a door that locks from the inside and the outside. I couldn't hear any cars passing by so we must not be near a road or highway. Best bet would be we got here by boat and I think they have a boat tied up just outside."

"Amazing! I knew you could do it Ana!"

"Shh, Jason" she hissed. She didn't know if they were listening.

"Oh yeah, sorry!"

"So, now what?"

"Now, we wait."

Carrick Grey walked through the metal detectors at 810 Virgina St., The West Precinct. 7:00 am was early, but he was hoping to get Christian's charges thrown out. A charge of domestic violence could be fatal for Christian's reputation. Everything he had built, the company, his life's work, and most importantly, his kids, they could all be taken away. Leaks had already begun, and if it came out that Christian had been arrested for pulling a gun at Ana, he would most definitely be vilified in the media. Carrick couldn't let that happen.

The desk sergeant looked over his ID and tapped away at the keyboard on his station.

The older Grey coughed slightly.

"Excuse me, Sergeant Miller, is it? Do you know when I can meet with my client?"

"We've got him cooling off in the pen. He's got serious charges against him. Seems like some major anger issues there."

"I'm sure that it's just a misunderstanding. I'd like to meet with my client please."

The portly man looked over at Carrick. Sharply dressed in his black suit and red tie, the old man still radiated power. The years had been kind to him. More so since Ana had entered Christian's life. She had brought such joy and light to his son that Carrick himself had been forced to throw all his customary caution to the wind.

If only he'd known.

Luke Sawyer had been released as soon as the senior Grey showed up. His firearm was licensed and he was part of a security team meant to guard the house. There wasn't really anything they could charge him with. Carrick had tried to get Luke to leave, but the stubborn young man refused to abandon his employer. Between the impatient, slightly dishevelled young bodyguard, the striking silver haired lawyer and the forlorn, unfocused man, they made a distinctly strange trio.

The prosecutor leaned over to talk to the desk sergeant in confidence. Carrick could see the arresting officers gathered round him. He turned to Christian.

"Ana refuses to testify, so in all likelihood they would drop the charges."

"Okay"

"Okay? Just Okay? I would think you would have been happy. You almost killed her."

"I should have."

"What the hell are you talking about ?" Carrick hissed

"I said, I should have killed her. She's not Ana..." he stopped for a second, as if reminding himself to take in much needed oxygen. "I need to go... I need to find her..." Christian was already rising out of his chair. He looked at Carrick imploringly, and all at once the old man was reminded of the four year old alone at a hospital.

"Don't you get it? I have to find my Ana."