Page 78 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“While we’re there, maybe Parker has come around,” Ethan said.
“Or we can sneak a jug of ice water into his face,” Harley growled.
“Or just use some of those smelling salts the clinic must have,” Oz told them.
The urgency of the situation propelled them to the clinic, where Daniella took charge of Oz. Her professional demeanor belied the concern in her eyes. She assessed Oz’s injuries with swift efficiency.
“I’m sorry, Oz,” Daniella’s voice was firm. “Your head needs stitches, and you have a concussion. You’re not going anywhere except to bed number five.”
“How’s Parker?” Harley asked his cousin. “Can we talk to him?”
“Harley, I know the urgency of the situation, but you’re not going to get much out of him,” Daniella told them.
“Please, Daniella,” Ethan begged. “The kidnappers don’t only have Carly, they have Shay.”
Daniella’s eyes widened, and before they could say more, she spun on her heel, striding toward a small private room where Parker was. “You have five minutes.”
With that, she turned and went to tend to Oz.
“Did you find her?” Parker mumbled. “Did you find Carly?”
“No, but we need you to tell us what you know about her abduction.” Harley’s eyes bore into Parker. “Who took her and where?”
“Bo…” Parker’s head started to bobble, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
“That does it!” Harley said through gritted teeth, reaching for the bottle of water beside Parker’s bed.
“No!” Ethan stopped Harley. “I think I know who the mastermind behind this is. Let’s go and interrogate him.”
“I’ll call my uncle again. If he knows Carly and Shay have been taken, he’ll let us interrogate Daphne,” Harley dialed his uncle as they made their way out of the clinic. Daniella promised she’d keep trying to get information from Parker.
“If she doesn’t, I will!” Oz assured them.
Harley’s attempts to reach Sam yielded nothing but voicemail, a dead end that only heightened their anxiety. The safety of their loved ones was slipping through their fingers, and with each unanswered call and dead-end, their desperation grew.
As they were climbing into Harley’s pickup, Ethan’s phone rang.
“No, not now,” Ethan groaned as he saw a call from his sister. “Hi, Bails, now’s not a good time.”
“Not a good time!” Bailey shouted over the line. “You half scared me to death.”
Ethan’s brow furrowed.Surely the press couldn’t have gotten wind of Carly and Shay’s abduction this quick?“What are you talking about?”
“A few minutes ago, I got a text message with a photo of you next to today’s newspaper, and a demand for five million dollars, or all thatwill be left of you and Shay will be smoke!” Bailey seethed. “I hope that wasn’t a sick joke that Alex is playing on us.”
Ethan’s blood ran cold. “Was there a picture of Shay?” He couldn’t keep his desperation from this voice.
“The message said proof of life for Shay would follow…” Bailey’s voice trailed off. “What’s going on, Ethan?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing that his sister had detected the hint of desperation in his voice, and she wouldn’t let up until he told the truth, so he filled her in.
“What?” Bailey hissed. “Someone’s got Shay and Carly?”
“And from what you’re saying, I think maybe it’s Alex,” Ethan pointed out. “Have you heard from him today?”
“No!” Bailey said and went quiet for a few minutes. “His phone is just going to voicemail, but it’s showing that he’s at home.”
“Great!” Ethan said. “Did you install that app on our phones after all?”
