Page 112 of The Prize
He gave a warm smile. “If you’re watching this, it means I’m seriously indisposed. Nothing to worry about, I’m sure.”
My mouth went dry as I realized this was a recording.
“Get your passport. I showed you where it is. Ask Jade to call Coops and he’ll arrange for my jet to be at your disposal. I’ll meet you back in London. And, Zara, I love you, okay. I’ll see you soon.”
“This is all my fault,” I called up to the screen. “Jade, you’re coming with me.”
Dragging the duffel bag behind me, I made my way up the ramp and into the foyer, and on the way out remembered Tobias had the key fob for the Aston Martin. It was probably still in The Plaza’s penthouse. If I couldn’t get the car to start I’d have to think of something else and fast.Jesus, please don’t make me have to get on that motorbike.
I rested my palm on the outside panel to lock the front door and Jade floated alongside. After pressing my thumbprint on the Aston Martin keypad, I was relieved it clicked. I yanked open the passenger door and gestured for Jade to float inside. She settled on the front passenger seat. When I looked up, several early morning joggers were staring at the drone with their jaws slack in surprise.
“She’s a pet.” I threw the duffel bag into the trunk and hurried around to get in.
Although driving on the other side of the road was going to be challenging, I reassured myself I’d get my confidence up and the car was an automatic, after all. I’d driven his car in LA. That hadn’t been a disaster and with the painfully slow traffic I’d not be going too fast at first. I hoped the car transporting Tobias was also slowed by the rush of commuters.
I pressed my thumb onto the key panel just as I’d seen Tobias do. The Aston Martin purred awake and I breathed a sigh of relief that Tobias had seen to it I could drive this. I sent silent thanks his way for his forethought. I strapped a seat belt around Jade and then pulled on mine.
“Bring Tobias Wilder’s location up on the GPS, Jade.”
I’m coming for you, hold on.
The tracker flashed awake and went through a series of screen changes.
If Jade was wrong she’d direct me farther away from where I could help Tobias. All I had was his technology to rely on. I’d observed him interact with his devices and they’d always interpreted what he’d requested whether it was to bring him a drink or clean up broken glass or hail a helicopter at a moment’s notice. Never had this need for his tech savvy been more vital.
Abby had witnessed Eli’s attack and by now she’d have reported that to the authorities, I was sure of it. She had solid evidence on how dangerous he was. I felt dreadful that I’d run out on her like that but after what she’d seen Eli do she’d probably be on the hunt for him too.
The blip slid up I-81.
I had never imagined that trusting in one of Tobias’s AI units would ever be an experience I would have to contend with. Even though she was quiet and still, Jade brought some comfort, and I wondered if this was why Tobias had created her, because in some way she pushed aside the loneliness. She certainly provided some comfort for me.
“Jade.” I glanced her way. “If anything happens to us you must find and destroy the painting you created. Understand?”
The only response was that green light flickering which was no response at all, really.
“I know it seems harsh,” I reassured her. “But in our world only real things can exist.” I cringed at how that might have come over. “I mean, when it comes to art.” Me caring about an AI’s feelings proved how damn tired I was. “You know my dad once threw a boiling hot cup of tea over a fake. That brown liquid and heat just ruined that painting, and I still can’t get the image out of my mind. It wasn’t real though. Someone was pretending it was and in there was the problem.” There, I’d sufficiently explained that away to my inanimate friend and proven to myself just how stressed I was to rattle on about nothing to nobody.
Within half an hour I was out of the city and heading north, and if Tobias’s captors kept going they’d be in Canada. I’d never be able to cross the border. Fatigue soaked into my limbs and caused my stomach to churn as nausea welled.
I breathed another sigh of relief when the dot stopped. Judging from the map I was fifteen minutes away from their current location. My frantic speed had made up the lost time between us. I turned my headlights off and rolled along the road with its tree line of a private estate.
In the distance, I made out a country shingle colonial mansion that was surprisingly small compared to Burell’s other homes. I didn’t want anyone to hear the engine so I pulled onto a grassy bank to park behind several trees.
I leaped out and popped the trunk. Rummaging in the back inside the duffel bag, I grabbed what I might need. Days ago, Tobias had shown me how a few of these contraptions worked and I’d been filled with annoyance and not believed I’d ever need these skills.
I considered the many scenarios for when entering a home. No, this was not happening. I wasn’t trained for this. If I messed up, I’d place Tobias in terrible danger and possibly...
Focus. Get him out of there.
This was the nightmare I’d never seen coming.
Okay, climbing harness, just in case. Spare rope hooked across my chest. If I got caught wearing this getup I’d be in bloody trouble. Gritting my teeth with tension, I continued to pull out what else I’d need and clipped each item onto the belt including a flashlight, wire cutter and a pick for a lock.
I opened the passenger door and leaned down to get Jade. “Take me to Tobias.” I unclipped her seat belt and she floated out.
My heart leaped when a small metal arm protruded from her side and she pointed to the house. Maybe, I mused in the craziest part of my brain, she missed her boss? It was obviously the same area of my brain that had gotten me into this mess.
She floated beside me as I made my way toward the mansion. There were three large SUVs parked outside with blacked-out windows. This sinister convoy gave me hope I was in the right place. Tobias had to have been transported in one of these.
