A Colby Christmas Rescue (Colby Agency: The Next Generation #1)

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

2:30 p.m.

“Jamie, wait!”

She hesitated at the bottom of the stairs. She was over his secretiveness. If they were in this together, he needed to tell her what the hell was going on. Good grief, they were only hours from when this thing was supposed to go down.

And Poe, damn it, was nowhere to be found.

She took a breath and turned to face Abi. “This thing is scheduled to go down tonight and you’re still keeping me in the dark. Why am I even here?” She braced her hands on her hips. “You apparently intend to do this entirely alone. What am I? Arm candy?”

He laughed softly, then looked away. “You surely could be, but we won’t go there.” He blew out a breath then. Obviously not looking forward to coming out with it.

She braced her hands on her hips, out of patience. “Are we in this together or not?”

“There’s been a slight change,” he said. “Nothing to worry about. Originally, we were scheduled to arrive at eight tonight but now we’re to be there at seven-thirty. I’m not pleased with the sudden change, but I can only assume some other sort of intelligence became available, prompting this schedule change.”

The fact that he was genuinely upset seemed to suggest he was telling the truth. Either way, she was over this whole cloak and dagger game. They were on the same side after all.

“I need you to walk me through what’s going to happen tonight. This beating around the bush has gone on long enough.”

“All right. Let’s sit down and I’ll walk you through it.”

It was about time. She followed him back to the living room area. He went to the bar and grabbed a couple of bottles of water and passed one to her. If not for that sudden phone call, she would be convinced his decision to share had something to do with Poe’s absence. She hoped that was not the case.

“We will arrive at the party like any other guests. I’ve seen the list of invitees, and none are familiar to me. I’m assuming I will not be familiar to any of them. Same goes for you. Which is part of the beauty of the situation.”

“Is there some aspect of his private residence that has been deemed more accessible than, say, the hospital or his clinic?” The private residence of a man such as Dr. Case likely included serious security services and a well-trained security team.

“The hospital where his surgery privileges are has state-of-the-art facial recognition for everyone going in and coming out,” Abi explained. “It wouldn’t prevent us from coming in, but it would not forget our faces. I’m sure neither of us wants that to happen.”

“A good reason to rule out that location,” she admitted. A hospital with facial recognition technology. Wow.

“His clinic is not equipped with technology quite so advanced, but the location creates a difficult exit strategy. Too congested...too many cameras on the surrounding buildings.”

“I suppose the fact that the clinic operates only during regular business hours, daylight hours, creates a problem of its own.”

“The cover of darkness is always an ally,” he agreed.

“I’m sure there will be security cameras at the doctor’s residence.” Really, she was confident this was the case.

“You’re right, but we have access to the system so no issues there.”

Of course they did. Abi was too good to move forward without that key piece of intelligence.

“There will be some sort of precipitous event,” she suggested. “A distraction?”

“A power outage. It’s not so unique, but it will work and it’s not so unusual this time of year.”

“You have the layout of the residence?” Familiarizing herself with the floor plan would be useful. As for the power outage, that was always a workable strategy. Power outages happened—as he said, particularly during extreme temperatures. Living this far outside the city proper was asking for additional issues when it came to utilities.

“I do.” He pulled out his cell and opened an image. “We enter via the front as one would expect.”

The front door appeared to open into a large entry hall. He moved on to another image that showed a photo of the entry hall.

“Security will be here confirming that all who enter are on the list. From there we’ll follow the others into the grand hall.”

The grand hall was an area that branched off into a living room, dining room, library and—well beyond all that—a kitchen. Any one of those rooms was larger than the entire first floor of this house. The grand hall worked like a massive hub connecting all the other rooms. It made for the perfect area to linger in groups without interrupting the flow of those filtering into and through the other rooms.

“Once we’re in,” he went on, “we’ll mingle, have hors d’oeuvres and a nonalcoholic drink. Just to blend in.”

“Where is our egress?”

He slid the photo left, moving to another image. “Our priority exit is through the kitchen. We have two secondary options. Through the French doors in the library and off the back terrace outside the main living area.”

“What’s the layout for transportation around the property?” She’d looked at the house and property via the telescope, but some aspects were blocked from view by landscaping and other obstacles.

“We’ll have two options for leaving. A helicopter from the doctor’s helipad. This would give us a sort of emergency style departure. The hope would be that other guests assume there has been an emergency and the doctor had to go. The other option is via a limo that will be standing by in the front roundabout.”

So far she had no complaints.

“What method of inducement do you plan to use to ensure his cooperation?” This was the part that concerned Jamie the most. She hoped he didn’t intend to use drugs or physical coercion. Despite her reservations with either of those avenues, the problem was, there weren’t that many other options. At least none she liked any better.

“We have that covered,” he said as he closed his phone and slipped it into his hip pocket.

“Meaning?” she pressed. “Are we going in armed? Will he be drugged?”

“No drugs. No weapons.”

She and Poe had discussed the possibility that the man’s child would be used to gain his cooperation. “Then we’re using the kid.” Dread congealed in her gut. She hated the idea. Hated it even more than the drugs or weapons.

“You have my word,” he said, his gaze pressing hers, “if it becomes necessary to use the child, she will not be harmed in any way.”

Damn it. She knew it! “You can’t make that promise. Things go wrong. Accidents. Mistakes. You can never predict how people will react to these situations.”

Abi held up his hands as if to quiet her, which made her all the angrier. “This will happen quickly. In an orderly manner. There will not be time for mistakes or accidents.”

People always thought a simple plan would go easy—no glitches. But there was no simple plan when it came to abducting another human. Not unless you rendered them unconscious.

The plan sounded perfect. Well thought out. Concise. Except all of that would go out the window when Dr. Case or his wife understood what was happening. If a guest happened to overhear...it would all go to hell in a heartbeat.

“You can’t be sure of anything. Not one single thing that involves another human.”

“You can’t be sure I’m wrong.”

She wasn’t going to argue the point with him. Moving on, she said, “You’ve mentioned that we have a very narrow window of opportunity. Why is that the case? It’s a party with guests who will be coming and going. Is there some sort of step or arrival—maybe a departure—that will happen that somehow renders our plans unusable? Is something turning into a pumpkin at a certain time?”

He didn’t answer right away. And he didn’t laugh. Mostly he stared at her, obviously attempting to decide how to answer.

He was just as worried as she was, but he would die before he would admit as much.

“It’s the kid, isn’t it?” Jamie shook her head. He might as well just spit it out. “It has to happen before she’s tucked in for the night.”

“Something like that,” he confessed.

“I’m not good with this.” But what could she do? Her brother’s life was on the line. “If anything goes wrong—”

“I will not allow the child to be hurt,” he insisted. “Really, you have my word on that.”

She didn’t doubt he meant what he said, but he could not guarantee the child’s safety or the doctor’s cooperation. He could only deduce the outcome based on common human behavior. The odds might lean slightly in his favor but there were no guarantees.

“What happens if the doctor is injured?” Had his employer thought of that? What they were about to do posed significant risk to all involved. “Then no one will have the benefit of the lifesaving surgery only he can do at this time.”

“We can talk about what-ifs all night,” Abi said. “But it’s our job to make sure the what-ifs don’t happen. We get the doc and his daughter out with no hitches. We do what we have to do and everybody’s happy when the night is over.”

Jamie held up her hands in surrender. Further discussion was pointless. “Moving on, please. At this point, I need some sort of assurance from you that your employer had nothing to do with Poe’s disappearance.” The facts were troubling. She had not heard from him, and his cell had ended up on the ground in the woods behind the house. If he’d been taken by someone involved in all this, why hadn’t they heard anything? If he’d decided some other action was necessary, why hadn’t she heard from him by now?

“I have no idea why or how he left other than what we found on the security system.” Abi shrugged. “He told me nothing. I saw and heard nothing.”

“You don’t receive any sort of notification when someone enters or exits the house?”

“This is not my house. I’m a guest here just as you are. I had no reason to want to monitor who went in and out. It was only relevant if we were here and frankly, I wasn’t expecting you or Poe to cut out on me.”

“He wouldn’t cut out without a reason,” she said to ensure Abi understood this wasn’t Poe just cutting out.

“You want to know what I think?” He braced his hands on the island. “I think he decided he didn’t need to be part of this.”

Jamie shook her head. “No way. He wouldn’t do that. He would never leave me in the lurch.”

Abi shrugged. “Maybe I’m wrong. I guess we’ll find out tonight. If he shows up and tries to interfere, we’ll have our answer. If he doesn’t show up, we’ll have an answer as well.”

Jamie shook her head again. “You’ll see.” She wasn’t standing around here and throwing her friend under the bus. She knew Poe too well. He had either set out on a plan of his own because he knew something was rotten with this one or someone had taken him. End of story.

She thought of his cell phone and worry dug deep beneath her skin. She desperately hoped her allowing Poe to come here with her wasn’t going to be the reason he...

No. She wasn’t going there.

“Let me know when you’re ready to move.” Jamie needed a few minutes to herself. Some time to decompress and get her head on straight. Tonight, was far too important to go into it rattled like this. Psyching herself up for a mission was always a smart step.

Abi touched her arm to slow her departure. “I’m counting on you, Jamie. I can’t do this without you.”

“Yeah.”

Jamie had never felt so torn. This was not like her usual missions. It was wrong. More wrong than anything she’d ever been asked to do. But it was also the only way to save her brother.

She couldn’t say no...couldn’t walk away.

And because of that she had no choice but to do all within her power to ensure that Dr. Case and his daughter cooperated—but also that they survived this thing unscathed.

For the first time since she was a little girl, she wished her grandmother were here beside her to give her an assist. She could use some of Victoria’s wisdom and strength right now.

Lionheart Court, 7:30 p.m.

J AMIE EMERGED FROM the limo that had picked up her and Abi. He waited for her outside the car, looking too handsome in his black suit and black bow tie against the white shirt. His dark skin and black hair gave him the sophisticated look of a foreign diplomat. In his jacket pocket was a red handkerchief.

Her floor length sheath was the exact shade of red as the handkerchief. So were her very sleek high heeled shoes. None of which was made for running or for tackling an enemy.

After seeing the formfitting dress, she’d decided to wear her hair up in a French twist. Seemed appropriate. Whatever others thought of them being at this party, they certainly made a handsome couple. Jamie felt as if she’d arrived at senior prom with the most popular boy in school, but couldn’t remember why she’d decided to come when none of her friends would be here. Only this boy who was so handsome and far too charming.

There were always strangers involved with her missions, but these were not simply strangers. These were civilians who had no idea that this party had been targeted by someone who had so much money at his disposal that he could choose to disrupt this gala and the life of the man hosting it to get what he wanted.

Jamie took a breath and cleared her head. She knew what she had to do. Fretting over the details wouldn’t get the job done.

Abi took her hand and draped it over his arm. “In case I haven’t already told you, you look amazing.”

She smiled at the man who held the door open as they entered the home of their target. “You look quite fetching yourself, Mr. Amar.”

He flashed her a smile.

Once they were deep into the entry hall, he leaned close and whispered, “Do you think we look so nice that they’ll never suspect we’re here for nefarious purposes?”

“As long as they don’t look too closely.”

He smiled. “Touché.”

Apparently, the doctor had many friends. The crowd was larger than Jamie had expected for a family holiday gathering.

They entered the grand hall, and it was like entering a Christmas wonderland. Beautifully decorated trees...garlands and ribbons...so tastefully done. The scent of cedar hung in the air. Holiday music played softly from speakers hidden somehow in the architecture. The ceiling towered two stories above, looking exactly like something from a European castle. The floor was marble and the furnishings were museum quality. Servers strolled about with their trays. But Jamie wasn’t the slightest bit hungry or even thirsty.

“Recognize anyone?”

She had seen photos of Case and his family on the internet and on Abi’s phone. Jamie spotted Dr. Case near the massive stone fireplace almost immediately. He was surrounded by what she presumed were colleagues. Maybe close friends. This didn’t feel like a family holiday gathering. This was almost certainly a business function accented with holiday decor.

“Several other surgeons,” he said, leaning close enough for her to feel his lips brush her forehead. “A number of local politicians.”

Interesting. Abi had certainly familiarized himself with those in the doctor’s orbit. Not surprising really, she decided. This was exactly what she did when prepping for a mission.

She spotted Case’s wife. She too wore a red dress. Jamie glanced at Abi. “Am I wearing red because she is?”

He smiled. “It’s a very good color on you. Far better than on her. And your blond hair is natural, unlike hers.”

Hovering near Mrs. Case was her daughter. Ten-year-old Lillian Case. And of course, she wore a red dress to match her mommy. Oh, dear God. Jamie felt sick at what could go wrong.

“Do you have any assets here or nearby?” She gazed around at the lavish crowd. Some part of her hoped to spot Poe. Damn it. Where was he? “Someone to call upon for backup in case we need it?”

“No assets inside. Just the two of us.”

At least he wasn’t ruling out the possibility of backup somewhere on the property.

Better than nothing .

Jamie considered the most likely tactic for making this happen in a crowd of this size, in a house of this size.

“I’m guessing the family has a routine for their daughter. A certain time to go to bed. Mommy tucks her in, and Daddy pops by for a good-night kiss. Where’s the nanny? Have you made arrangements for disabling her?”

“The nanny tucks her in. Then Mommy and Daddy go to the room for a quick good-night. It’s all very affable and everyone disappears quickly. The nanny goes home after. But tonight the nanny is not an issue. She’s on vacation for the next ten days.”

One less potential liability.

“You know—” Jamie glanced around in search of a server “—I think I might need a real drink after all.”

“Allow me,” Abi said before making a slight bow and then hurrying to the nearest server.

Jamie watched Mrs. Case for a moment and then her husband, the doctor. She wondered if either could possibly comprehend how their lives were about to change. The ability to breathe suddenly felt unnatural, difficult.

This was wrong.

And yet she was helpless to stop it.

Abi reappeared with two flutes of bubbling liquid. Jamie accepted hers and took the smallest sip. “Thank you.”

“Case’s wife writes children’s books.”

Jamie nodded. “You mentioned that, and I spotted it on her Wikipedia page.”

“Her latest is The Fish in My Dreams . It’s about a little girl who dreams of swimming deep into the ocean with fish on her feet instead of shoes.”

Jamie laughed. “Sounds like something her daughter dreamed and told her about.”

Abi nodded. “That’s what she says in the dedication to her daughter.”

Jamie slipped her arm around his. “I’m guessing we should tell her how much we loved the book.”

“The daughter will remember you talking to her mother,” he agreed.

The whole point.

Jamie led the way across the room. Mrs. Case looked up as they approached.

“Mrs. Case,” Jamie said, her smile broadening, “I’m Jasmine Colter. I just wanted to say how very much my little niece enjoyed your new book.”

Lillian leaned closer to her mom, her cheeks pink.

“It’s Lillian’s story really.” She beamed down at her daughter. “She has very vivid dreams.”

Jamie nodded to Lillian. “Such a great story, Lillian. I hope you’ll be telling more stories with your mom.”

Lillian smiled finally. “Ducks are coming next.”

“Oh my. You’re writing a story about ducks?”

Lillian nodded. “For next year.”

“How wonderful. We’ll be sure to get it.”

They chatted for a moment more until another guest arrived to share her praise for the book. Jamie and Abi wandered to the other side of the room.

“We are twenty minutes out,” he told her.

Jamie left her barely touched glass on a tray. “I think I’ll drop by the powder room.”

“I’ll be right here.” His position allowed him to see the wife, daughter and the doctor.

Jamie nodded and headed through the lingering crowd.

Taking a bathroom break while wearing a dress like this was never fun. But she might as well take advantage of the opportunity. No way to know when she’d have another chance. Ducking behind a bush wearing this wouldn’t be so easy.

She made quick work of the necessary business. After a swift wash of her hands and check of her hair and makeup, she smoothed her dress. It was almost showtime. Maybe they would all get through this without a glitch, and she would be on her way home tomorrow with her little brother in tow.

“Hang in there, Luke.” She hoped she would be seeing him soon.

She exited the ornate powder room and went in search of her date. Well, date wasn’t really the right term. Partner in crime. No sign of the mother and daughter. She surveyed the room again. She spotted them by the larger Christmas tree. It was then that she noticed their dresses fit particularly well with the holiday decor. Every last thing was meticulously coordinated.

“They’ll be going up soon,” Abi told her. “When the doctor goes up, that will be our cue.”

“Have you heard from your getaway driver? You’ve confirmed that all is as it should be?” Her nerves were jangling.

“I have. All is exactly as it should be.”

“When and how will your employer release Luke?”

His gaze collided with hers. “Once Dr. Case is at the designated location, you will be taken to Luke’s condo, and he will be there waiting for you.”

“And when will the doctor be returned to his home?”

“By noon tomorrow I’m told.”

She wondered if he would be considered missing or kidnapped during that time. If so the police and the FBI would launch into action. Or would he simply be made to call his wife and assure her that he’d had an emergency at the hospital?

“Until then,” Abi said, drawing her back to the conversation, “he’ll be caring for an emergency situation. It happens all the time. His wife and daughter will think nothing of it.”

Jamie searched his face. He’d just lied to her, or he’d made the sort of mistake he shouldn’t and he’d glossed right over it.

“Does he usually take his daughter with him to emergencies?”

Abi stared at her for a long moment. “Before the mother realizes she is missing, little Lillian will be back in her room.”

“What will she tell her mother? Another dream for a book?”

Suddenly all the holes in his elaborate plan were far too visible and Jamie had a bad, bad feeling swelling in her gut.

He smiled. “Sounds like a bestseller.”

As long as no one died or was gravely injured, she reminded herself. Jamie settled her gaze on the doctor. How did a man like him—who possessed a skill like no one else—get through each day knowing he could only save a few? How did he decide who he would save and who he would let go?

Did he have the typical god complex associated with some in the profession?

Even as she asked herself this question, his shoulders seem to visibly slump beneath the weight of his success.

Or maybe she wanted to believe he cared that much. After all, imagine the dedication and work required to reach the sort of skill level he possessed. To achieve what no one else had.

She would soon know how he saw himself. More important, how he saw the patients in need of his help.

She hoped for the sake of all involved that he would be reasonable...not that there was anything reasonable about what was coming.