AN: To my readers: Thank you so much for your faith in me despite the infrequent updates. Appreciate the warm welcome back messages/reviews I received.
Tanith
Chapter 59
The sun had just risen when Whitney checked out of the hotel room with Jeannie barely conscious in the back seat of his car. When they reached the airport, Whitney waited for his contact to meet him in the parking lot. He checked his watch anxiously and saw that he was a few minutes early. Stealing a glance at Jeannie lying across the backseat, he started to worry as she had not stirred during the entire drive and looked too pale to be healthy. The drug he had spiked her drink at dinner last night surely should have worn off by now, he thought. Then the conversation between him and his father drifted back to haunt him.
"You're an idiot, you know that?"
"What was in that vial?"
"It's an experimental drug that a pharmaceutical company I have an important business connection with has concocted. It's a tranquilizer of some kind. Very powerful. One drop is enough to put a small child to sleep for twelve hours. Unlike a lot of other drugs out there, it's practically undetectable and wears off without a trace in the blood stream. Problem is, it has some interesting side effects."
The rapping of knuckles on the car window jolted Whitney back to the present and drew his attention away from Jeannie's still form. His contact, airport head of security, Carl Jackson, stood beside the car, looking impatient and a little nervous. Whitney stepped out of the car and closed the door behind him. "Is the jet ready?"
"Listen, you're going to have to be real quick. The cops called in with your name and your girlfriend's. I won't be able to cover you for long, man. I'll be expected to issue instructions to my guys to stop you from getting on that plane," Jackson informed.
"Damn it! Okay, just get us past the gates. I don't care how, just make it happen!" Whitney ordered. He felt a rising panic building in the pit of his stomach as his plans started to unravel even more. Things were perfect between him and Jeannie. She was the one thing in his life that made him happy. Now his world was crashing down around him.
Armed with a warrant and a task-force, Lieutenant Mike Stone arrived at the Holden penthouse. Before he got out of the LTD, he turned to his partner and said in a stern and precise manner, "Wait in the car..."
Steve's eyes met Mike's and he could not contain his outburst. "The hell I will! Gun or no gun I'm going in with you!" What am I? A liability? Steve was seething inside. His gun and badge were handed in pending an investigation but it didn't mean he couldn't make a citizen's arrest or at the very least be there to see Holden Senior's face when the cuffs were secured around his wrists.
Mike's blue orbs blazed. He reached out and grabbed a handful of Steve's jacket. "Now you listen to me, hot shot, and you listen very carefully! So far, we have George Holden for murder and kidnapping which is enough to put him away for life but we still have to clear your name of those trumped up drug charges and that's not going to be as easy when you're dealing with a man like George Holden. Remember, you're not supposed to even be here! If he sees you tonight, not only will it jeopardize our case but you can say goodbye to your career and mine and maybe even Rudy's!"
Steve exhaled sharply sending a shooting pain through his chest but he ignored it. "So, what am I supposed to do? What good am I here?"
Mike released his grip on Steve's jacket and looked away. "I need you to be there for Jeannie if things don't go sour. She might not want to talk to me after today." Facing Steve once more he continued, "I can't discount the possibility that Whitney's armed. Whether or not Jeannie is with him willingly, it won't make it any easier on her if things go downhill. Worst case scenario...Steve, I need you with me on this not just as my partner but..."
For the first time since this whole ordeal began, Steve realized the impact the outcome could have on Jeannie and Mike. His partner was not just pleading for him to keep Jeannie out of harm's way but to be there to help pick up the pieces should Whitney needed to be brought down or the unthinkable happened to Mike if he got caught in the crossfire. His gaze softened and he nodded in understanding. "I have your back and Jeannie's. You've got my word, Mike."
"I know I do. Keep an ear out on the radio for any updates from our guys, okay?" Mike offered a faint smile and got out of the car.
Steve sighed, watching his partner directing the men toward all entry and exit points of the building before making his way to the front entrance.
A persistent and loud knocking on the door broke George Holden out of his slumber. Aggravated by the rude awakening, he climbed out of bed, kicking away the cashmere blankets and placed his bare feet on the ivory mink rug. Before he even slipped on his slippers and robe, he turned to his bedside table and pulled open the drawer. Nestled inside within easy reach was a loaded semi-automatic .32 calibre weapon. Years of experience running his business had taught him to take precautions against those he had a grievance with. Tucking the weapon into the pocket of his robe, he made his way to the front door. The knocking stopped. Shoving his hand into his robe pocket, his fingers closed around the hand grip of the pistol.
"George Holden, this is Lieutenant Mike Stone, SFPD! Open up!"
George froze a couple of feet away from the door and contemplated his next move, his fingers tightening around the cool metal in his pocket. What the hell did the cops want? Whitney! It had to be his screw-up of a son! Once again, he must have been the cause of the sudden unwanted attention from the law! Wait till I get my hands on you, boy!
