Page 34 of Never Leave Me
Ellen struggled against the bindings around her wrists. She didn’t know why she was trying to free her hands, not when the car was going too fast for her to make an escape. Especially not when the man on the seat next to her held a gun on his lap.
Through the darkness, she could see the glint of moonlight on the barrel. And she could still feel the imprint of that cold barrel against her neck the moment she’d opened the car door and leaned inside.
With a fresh burst of frustration mingled with fear, she closedher eyes. She’d been such a fool to run off the plane without Harrison. She’d been an even bigger fool not to pay better attention to the car waiting for them. In the darkness it had the same sleek, black look as the Bentley. But after opening the door, she’d realized it wasn’t—a moment too late.
A divider between the front and back seats began to motor down, revealing two people, the driver and a passenger.
The passenger shifted and glanced at her. “Ellen Creighton. It’s a pleasure to see you again, especially looking so strong and healthy.”
While the night hid the man’s face, Ellen had no trouble distinguishing the voice with its American accent. “Jasper Boyle.”
Jasper had been Marian’s coworker at the Mercer Research facility in Groton, Connecticut, had acted the part of a friend and would-be suitor. But in the end, they discovered he was working all along for Lionel and had been planted at Mercer to spy on Arthur Creighton through Marian. Unfortunately, Ellen and Harrison hadn’t learned of his duplicity until after they’d disclosed critical information regarding Arthur’s theory.
“You’re back a day early.” Jasper’s tone was pleasant, as if he was simply making conversation.
But the fact that he was aware of her trip and the duration sent fresh fear skittering along her nerves. If Jasper and Lionel knew about the trip to Saint Lucia, what else had they discovered? “Turn the car around and take me to Chesterfield Park. You can’t hold me against my will, Jasper.”
“You got in the car of your own accord.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Everyone who was watching would have witnessed you opening the door and entering without anyone forcing you to do so.”
She glared at him but guessed the effect was useless in the dark. “What do you want?”
“How was your trip?” His voice was again nonchalant. “I’m surprised you had the energy for it, considering your primary care physician suggested hospice.”
Did Jasper’s question mean Lionel hadn’t yet heard about her cancer-free diagnosis? Should she try to keep it from them? “Just because I have VHL and cancer doesn’t mean I can’t travel and enjoy life. You know my philosophy is live my life to the fullest. I’ve never held back.”
“Seems odd to me that someone on the verge of dying, someone who could hardly walk around on her own a few days ago, would suddenly take a vacation.”
“It’s not odd at all—”
“In fact, it was so odd that we followed up with your doctor’s office...”
Ellen’s racing heart came to a halt.
“It’s always amazing what underpaid staff are willing to share with the offer of a bonus.”
So, Jasper had bribed someone in her doctor’s office to give them her records?
“Imagine our—my—delight when I learned your tests show the cancer is completely gone from your system.”
“Your delight?” Ellen couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her tone. “Yes, I’m sure you were ecstatic for me.”
“Now, Ellen.” Jasper tsked. “Of course I’m delighted. Who wouldn’t be at such good news? News that’s too good to be true. News that’s almostmiraculous.”
“You know as well as I do that remission can happen even in the worst cases.”
“True. In very rare cases. For cancer.” He paused. “But how can you explain the disappearance of the VHL gene anomaly? Nothing like that has ever occurred in the records of modern medicine.”
“And who says it’s gone?” The genetic test results hadn’t beenavailable before they left for Saint Lucia. Had Lionel somehow expedited the test?
Even if Lionel had gotten ahold of the results showing the absence of VHL, that didn’t mean the abnormal gene wasn’t lurking somewhere in her body, waiting to come out again. Tests weren’t always foolproof.
Jasper studied her a moment before turning around. “Since it appears you’re as curious as we are to discover what happened, then I guess you won’t mind having a few more tests, will you?”
Did he know she’d taken the holy water? And if he knew about her drinking it, did he also know about Harrison? She could only pray Lionel hadn’t yet discovered Harrison’s recovery from his paralysis. If they did, would they try to kidnap him just as they had her?
