Page 19 of The Captive Missing

“I’m sorry Miss,” the stewardess said. “But we’re on track to land within the hour.”

“Thank you.” Val nodded, rubbing at the back of her neck, now pinched with strain.

Left alone in the cabin, she unzipped her garment bag and selected a short black dress that’s skirt ended high up on her thighs. Setting it aside, she let it hang over the back of one wide leather chair while she removed a curling iron, hair spray, brush, and copious amounts of makeup.

Over the next hour, as their destination drew ever closer, Val transformed herself. Lush lips pouted behind crimson lipstick. Long chestnut locks flowed in careful waves down her back. The form-fitting dress showed off appealing curves with a plunging neckline.

By the time the stewardess reentered the cabin to warn of their descent, Val had resumed her seat a new woman. There was only the one remaining tell that needed removing. Twisting reluctantly at her diamond wedding ring, Val worked to pull it and its white gold band over her knuckle. Once they were off, she held the circles in her tightly closed fist.

For the last few minutes, her eyes shut against the rush outside her window, Val composed her face in mute serenity. It wasn’t until the bump of landing gear skidding along runway that her eyes slowly opened.

Glancing out the window, Val’s chest heaved once before she shut it down, closing her outward appearance until all of her body spoke only of alluring charm. Casually, she deposited the rings in her tiny black purse and stood. When she moved towards the exit, it was with confidence.

Leaving the jet, walking through the terminal and going through customs; those tasks were simple, straightforward and without fuss. She didn’t have much luggage and what she did would be transported straight to the hotel via currier. It wasn’t until the arrival gate loomed before her, that Val stilled in her steps.

Reporters. There was a swirling swarm of them hovering already.

Donning dark sunglasses, Val scanned the group of humanity, looking for Senior. She didn’t see him anywhere but her eyes did fall on a familiar face. It was their former bodyguard, CT, and he was hard to miss. The man’s bulk stood head and shoulders above everyone around him. Senior must be tucked by him somewhere, Val thought.

Tipping her chin up, Val pressed forward towards the man who looked as if he had eaten a linebacker for breakfast. It didn’t take long for him to zero in on her. The second she was spotted, the jig was up. Cameras flashed, questions were shouted, the throng surged forward like a wave approaching the shore.

CT easily outdistanced them all, coming to shelter her in the looming shadow of his presence.

“Hello, CT.” Val smiled into his face. She hadn’t seen him in years.

“Miss Val.” He bobbed his head once in acknowledgement before taking her by the arm and bulldozing a path towards the exit.

They hadn’t moved more than a few steps before Senior appeared on her other side, holding up a briefcase to help part the reporters blocking their way. It was loud and Val’s body was knocked against CT and Senior repeatedly.

By the time they maneuvered through the outer doors and into the waiting town car, her lungs felt tight, as if they had shrunk inside her body. She hated crowds. Hated the smothering volatility of them. Beside her, Senior’s face was a mix of worry and relief. He had aged since she had seen him last. The stress of having a child in jail forced lines into his handsome complexion that didn’t belong there.

Side by side in the backseat, Val did battle for her self-composure while Senior fanned her face with a stack of papers from his case. While they drove, he attempted to distract her with small talk. Jeremy was doing well in college and on track to graduate next spring. Though he still dreamed of a career in baseball, a torn rotator cuff didn’t speak highly of that coming to pass. He had a head for business, thankfully, so would likely wind up at Riggs Oil. They would be glad to have him.

Angela’s pregnancy was going well, the baby was due within the next few months. A girl. Though she wanted to be present at all of the court hearings, her husband managed to convince her that the stress was too much. With pressure, she had agreed to stay home.

Theresa’s internship in New Zealand was already set to expire this month, so she was able to stop work early. She arrived in New York last night.

With the air conditioning set to full blast and CT’s broad shoulders filling the front seat, Val’s pulse began to even out. The burn of oxygen inside her chest lessened. Despite the tension with Elaine, Val got along well with Jason’s father and siblings. They typically made a visit to France once a year and stayed for about a month over the holiday season.

“Val-” Senior cleared his throat. “I know you don’t like the media, and after what happened to Jason in the past, I don’t blame you. It’s just that they are almost like a member of the jury right now. The court of public opinion could go a long way to help Jason in his case.”

“How is he?” Val smoothed at her hair before reapplying lipstick from her clutch, remembering Elaine’s instruction about keeping up appearances.

“I haven’t seen him since his arraignment, but our attorneys assure me he’s doing fine.” Senior paused, then pressed on. “If we can get the media on our side, then they can put constant pressure on the prosecutor, the judge, and other powerful people that might be able to make this mess go away.”

“How can we get them on our side?” Val asked, glancing out the window.

“You could make a statement. Get them to like you, feel sorry for Jason, explain how he’s being treated unfairly.”

“But I’m not good at that.”

“I know you don’t think that you are, but I saw you in that courtroom at Sharon’s trial and I’ve seen you take on Elaine when you disagree over Jace. You speak well, you’re an intelligent woman. All you lack is confidence about it. And with your ability to fake it… no one would ever know how unsure you are.”

“You want me to talk to them.”

“I want you to give them some of your attention for just a few minutes before we go into the hotel.”

“I don’t know what to say, Jason always handles that part.” Val’s stomach churned at the memories.

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