Page 99 of Octane

JACKSON

I’ve been worriedabout Sawyer since she yelled at me and marched out of here with Daniel last night. I know she was acting, I just hope that she was able to fool Daniel. I can’t think about what he might have done to her as punishment for coming here. I should have fought harder to keep her from leaving. I should have shut the door in Daniel’s face and locked him out. We could have dealt with the fallout together.

I went to the building manager this morning and got them to deactivate the code that Daniel used to get to the penthouse. She was able to see that the code was created two weeks ago by a member of the maintenance staff. I told her that I wanted him terminated, and she said she would see that it was handled. That doesn’t mean Daniel won’t try to buy off someone else in the building, but as soon as I get Sawyer out safely, we’ll be in the market for a new place to live.

Together.

It’s almost eleven o’clock. She should be here any minute.

If she’s still coming.

Don’t think like that. She’ll be here.

I stare at my phone, watching as the minutes change from 10:57 to 10:58. Then 10:59. When it’s five minutes past eleven, I begin to worry. He did something. She may be hurt,or worse.

Oh, God, what have I done?

I need to get to her.

Before I have a chance to get up from the sofa, my phone rings. I don’t recognize the number, but it’s local.

“Hello?” I answer, standing from the sofa.

“Mr. Powell?” a man on the other end says.

“Yes, who’s this?”

“This is Jack Murphy from West Shore Bank. I’m calling to let you know that your transfer is complete, and the money has been successfully deposited into the recipient’s account.”

The relief I feel over the transfer is muted by my thoughts of Sawyer.

“Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate your assistance,” I state, hanging up the phone.

On my way out the door to Sawyer’s, I call Zach. Throwing the door to the stairwell open, I run down the steps.

“Hello?” Zach answers.

“Zach, it’s Jackson. The transfer is complete. Call your point of contact and arrange the meeting. I’m going to go get your daughter back.”

I end the call just as I rush through the door on Sawyer’s floor. Running to her condo, I knock loudly, screaming for Sawyer to open up.

“Sawyer! You’re safe, now. Open the door so I can get you out of there!”

“I don’t understand,” she shouts through the door.

“Your father is no longer in danger. Open the door, so I can come in. Please.”

The next second, I hear the door unlock and I don’t wait for her to open it. I turn the doorknob and push my way inside. With the alarm blaring, I see Sawyer standing in the living room, terrified, with tears in her eyes.

“Are you okay?” I ask, approaching her.

“No,” she answers. “Daniel called his father last night and told him not to send this month’s payment to my father. They’re going to come after him, Jackson. We need to help him!”

“I’m way ahead of you. I told you, no one is going to hurt your father.”

“I don’t understand,” she looks at me with confusion.

“Don’t worry about that right now. Is Daniel at work?” I question her.

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