Page 40 of Preying Heart
“The writing on the wall in his blood said to call off the search. Everyone speculates it’s referring to the missing person’s report they put out on you,” Lucy says.
“Who do you think is behind this?” I gape at the two of them as icy dread chills my gut. The man who molested me is dead. “Who killed him?”
“We don’t know,” Heath says. “He or she wants the baby. That’s all we know.”
“But what if I lose the baby?” I stare at Lucy. “You said I was at risk for a miscarriage.”
“You are, but if you lose it, no one gets the bounty,” she says. “Do you want to keep the baby?”
“Of course, I do. I told you that yesterday.” I’m practically shouting. “I hate it when you guys talk about me behind my back. Heath, you promised not to contact this guy. You said he was fishing and he didn’t know for sure.”
“That was before they ransacked Lucy’s clinic.” Heath cuts a sharp look my direction.
“How do you know? You mean you two went over there while I was out?” The knot in my belly tightens at the realization of just how helpless I am, completely under their control.
“We saw it on the security monitor,” Heath says. “Even though Lucy never activates her security system, I can do it remotely and I did. Late last night, I got a notification of a break-in and saw someone wearing a hoodie going through her files. They took her computer, too.”
“Don’t worry,” Lucy says. “I only used your pseudonym, Blair Green.”
“But you let on enough to get the Bitcoin down payment.” I point a finger at her accusingly. “It doesn’t add up. You two are in cahoots to get the money.”
“We get payments for your progress, yes,” Lucy admits. “But the big money comes when you turn over your baby. I’m thinking you’re not particularly attached to Gavin Greasley, and it’s not sentimental reasons that has you keeping the baby. Think of it as giving him or her up for adoption.”
“You’re okay with this?” I jerk my head Heath’s direction. “What happened to theI never leave anyone behindspiel? Guess it doesn’t apply to my baby? The weakest, most helpless one of all?”
“Look, I had to get Lucy involved because of your pregnancy. Otherwise, I would have ignored the bastard. I figured he was up to no good offering so much money for a socialite’s foster daughter. True, you’re the public face of Operation Persephone and it’s ironic how deep the Greasleys are with the trafficking networks.”
“You mean the anti-trafficking network,” I correct him. “Stan, may he rest in peace, and Deanna’s life passion is saving exploited children. That’s why they put most of their wealth into the foundation.”
“She truly doesn’t know, does she?” Lucy’s smug expression is getting on my nerves.
“Lucy, leave it. Remi’s had a lot to take in. We’re safe for now. The Greasleys called off the search, and I’m sure Gavin is making funeral preparations.”
“Don’t patronize me.” I shove Heath’s shoulder. “You came looking for me not out of the goodness of your heart. Not out of wanting to protect me and help me escape an oppressive situation. No, you were motivated by the money, and now you and Lucy are my jailers so you can sell my baby.”
“You can get a cut of the money,” Lucy says. “We wouldn’t withhold that from you.”
“Why would my baby be worth that much to some strange crypto holder who buys and sells secrets on the dark web and funds Operation Persephone? I’m not letting them traffic my baby. I’m not letting anyone take him or her from me. If you try anything, it’s over my dead body.”
Heath’s mouth rounds, and all he says is, “Wow!”
Even Lucy is speechless. Her eyes are wide with surprise.
Have I done it again?
I actually stood up for myself.
Again.
Without another word, I separate myself from them and march back to the guest room. I shut the door and bolt it. I may be their prisoner for now, but they’ll protect me and keep me healthy for another eight and a half months.
That will give me plenty of time to orchestrate my disappearance.
Heath
I don’t bother saying goodbye or seeing Lucy out. She knows the way down the zigzagging stretch where I’ve laid my booby traps. After she’s gone, I shut the electronic gate and roll the fake trees back in place. I have a lot of explaining to do with Remi, but there was no other choice. I had to bring Lucy in on this and give her an incentive to keep quiet.
Of course, no one is going to force Remi to give up her baby, but with Lucy expecting a payoff if she keeps her mouth shut and gives her great medical care, it’s worth it.
