7
Geoff had the phone receiver in his left hand as he dialed with his right. He paused, thinking he'd heard something. He lifted the receiver to his ear and tried, "Hello?"
"Who are you calling, Geoffery McKenna?"
The voice was unfamiliar. Someone had called and he'd lifted the receiver before the phone had even rung. "Who is this?"
"Don't call the police."
His breath caught, and before he could say anything, he heard his sister's voice. "I'm okay, Geoff."
"Nadean?"
The stranger returned on the line. "You will bring the animal with you so we can make a trade."
"I don't have it."
He heard a female grunt in the background, and the voice growled, "Don't lie to us!"
"I'm not! I…I don't know where it is." Should he tell them Brit had stolen it, or keep his friend out of it? But, what kind of friend steals your car and leaves your sister's well-being in jeopardy?
"You have thirty minutes to show up at-"
"I need more time!"
"An hour. We'll call you."
The line went dead.