Nothing Is Negotiable (22 page)

It was almost noon when the red cell phone rang.

“In the bedroom closet there are some clothes. Put on the blue jeans, brown leather belt, Clark loafers and the cream colored top.”

“Okay.”

“After you’re dressed, go to the kitchen. Under the floor mat in front of the sink you’ll find a brown envelope. Open it and take out the contents. Your instructions are on the piece of paper. Read them then call me back.”

The clothes were a perfect fit and looked like something she would have bought for herself. She found the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper.

Follow these instructions:

–Within the next two or three hours we’ll call and tell you to leave. The door will be unlocked at that time. You will drive the black Jeep that is parked beside the motor home. The key will be in the ignition.

–On the passenger seat there will be blue contact lenses and contact solution. There will also be a note with more information and another key.

–Leave immediately and drive to the hospital. There is a map on the back.

–Park in the basement.

–Enter the hospital at exactly the time we tell you.

–When you leave the Jeep put the key under the floor mat. DO NOT lock it.

–Go to room B1114 as shown on the VCR tape. The other key will unlock that door. It’s a vacant office.

–Inside you will find jewelry. Put it on. If there are clothes there, put them on too.

–There will be a blue plastic bracelet like those worn by all hospital patients. You will need it to pick up Olivia. Put it on your right wrist.

–Wait in that room for a phone call for further instructions.

–When you pick up Olivia she will be in a stroller. Leave her in it and take the elevator to the basement and go into the parking lot through the same door you entered through. Do not stop for any reason.

–You will see a white Chevy van that says White Swan Paint Company on the side parked near the handicapped parking. Put the stroller by the side door. You get in the back door of the van. We will take you to another location where we will release you. The Jeep will be waiting for you there.

At this point, if you have done everything we asked you, we will release Luke. At that time you can turn yourself into the police or do whatever you want.

Bonnie flipped over the piece of paper and saw the map with the route highlighted in yellow. It appeared to be about three or four miles away. It sounded easy, but she still had a sinking feeling. Deep down, she didn’t think there was any way she could pull this off.

She was a bad liar. The memory of trying to tell a planned lie reminded her of Luke’s fortieth birthday, and the surprise party she planned. All she had to do was get him to The Draught House, a pub where he and his friends often met for a beer. That afternoon, she said she wanted to go along. He asked her why she wanted to go, because he knew she didn’t even like beer. She knew he was going to ask, so she had a story prepared. But, when she started to talk, she started to stutter and got flustered. He knew she was lying and there was nothing she could do but tell him the truth. She was embarrassed and disappointed, but Luke felt so sorry for her that he acted surprised in front of his friends. She never lied to him again. Or anyone else, for that matter.

She punched the speed dial number. “Okay. I’ve read the instructions.”

“We need to go over some important points,” he said, and for the first time his demeanor was casual and friendly. “But first, do you have any questions?”

“Yes, how are you going to get Dr. Owens’s jewelry and blouse? You said no one was going to be hurt.”

“She won’t be. When she comes back from the gym we’re going to taser her and tie her up in a store room. The cleaning crews clean the basement between three and four, so someone will find her then. She won’t be hurt.

“What do I do when someone knows me, but I don’t know them? What’s going to happen when I start talking? They’ll know I’m not her.” Bonnie stood and shouted at the phone. “For God’s sake, I’m from Texas and she’s from California or Montana or where ever she’s from. We don’t sound anything alike.”

“Settle down,” he said, soothingly. He gave her a few seconds, then asked, “You okay?”

“No! I think this is the stupidest fricking idea I’ve ever heard in my life.”

“Listen to me. We’ve thought about this. Just hear me out, okay?”

“I’m listening,” she said condescendingly as she rolled her eyes. “Tell me how I’m going to convince these people, who have seen this doctor every other day for the past three months, that I’m her? Tell me that.”

“We’ve given you photos of everyone that she knows at the hospital. But it will be best to avoid talking to anyone. The best way will be to put the cell phone to your ear and act like you’re on a very important phone call. Avoid eye contact and if anyone speaks to you, just smile and keep listening and turn away from them for privacy. They won’t think anything about it.”

She thought about it for a second. “Okay. That might work.”

“When you get up there, the nurse who will help you will be Rosemary.”

Bonnie remembered her picture—tall, slender, short blonde hair, and thin eyebrows. “She’s the one who runs that department, right?”

“Right. Before she can give you Olivia, she will have to check your plastic bracelet and make sure they match. This is hospital policy to check it every time, even if they know you. To make sure that only the parents or guardians take children from the hospital. Even though they know Dr. Owens, they’ll still look at it. But, it won’t be a problem, okay?”

“Okay,” Bonnie put her elbow on the table and rested her head on her hand while she tried to visualize how it would all come down. It sounded easy. Almost too easy. There had to be something they hadn’t thought of.

“What if there are problems? What if you get caught trying to get Dr. Owens or what if they don’t give me Olivia? Or something else?”

“There won’t be any problems. We’ve made sure of that.”

“But don’t we need some kind of backup plan in case something happens.”

“Don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen.” He sounded like a dad talking to his daughter the first time she stayed at home by herself overnight.

“But, you never know what might happen in there. What if they realize I’m not the real doctor? Then what?”

“Think about it this way. There is a backup plan. If you don’t convince them that you’re the doctor and you don’t make it out with the kid, then our deal is off. Luke’s dead. That’s it.” He paused, and it was obvious he was agitated. “You got it? There’s only one plan and that’s it. You get that kid to us.” He paused. “You know what? On second thought, why don’t we raise the stakes a little bit? If you don’t bring that kid to us, you’re both dead. If you try to trick us, we’ll kill Olivia, too. How’s that?”

That sent a cold chill down her spine. “Okay, okay. I’m not going to try anything. I’m just worried something might go wrong.”

“Nothing’s going to go wrong, okay? Now, any more questions?”

“No, but before I do this, you have to let me talk to Luke. I have to know he’s okay.”

Silence. Bonnie held her breath waiting for his answer. A few seconds later, he said, “Okay, we’ll put him on when we call you just before you leave.”

The line went dead.

Bonnie sighed. There was no backing out now. In a few hours she would kidnap a child.

She reached in her back pocket and pulled out Lauren’s cell phone. Several hours earlier Lauren had called and now she had the number of her new cell phone. Bonnie called her and they talked about her new instructions.

“It sounds like a pretty simple plan. So, what are you going to do?” Lauren asked.

“I’ve spent the last four hours thinking about it and this is what I know. You could tip off the police right now. They could set up a trap and catch them before they even get out of the parking garage. But they told me if I try to pull something like this, before they’re caught they’ll kill Olivia. And one of them is with Luke, and he’ll kill him.”

Lauren said, “I have a strong feeling that if you get in that van with them, I’ll never see you alive again.”

Bonnie knew that was true. Regardless of what they said, she couldn’t get in that van. “When you go to check out the hospital, see what our options are for getting out. I think if we escape with Olivia, we can negotiate Luke’s freedom.”

“And what about Olivia then?”

“I don’t know. But at that point we’ll have to involve the police to protect her. I think it’s our only choice.”

“Okay. I’ll go check out the hospital and call you back.”

Forty-five minutes later, Lauren called.

“I’m at the hospital now. I’ve seen one security guard inside and none in the parking lot. I also saw a few surveillance cameras at the entrances but I didn’t see any anywhere else,” Lauren said. “And since Dr. Owens’s driver always picks them up at the front entrance, our best chance is going to be the employee parking lot on the other side of the building. When you come out of the elevator in the basement, instead of going to the parking lot, you turn the other way and go through a door marked
Employees Only
. You’ll go down a short hallway and the door at the end dumps you out into a smaller parking lot just outside the building. I’ll be in a white Suburban.”

“That sounds good. Just have the back door open and we’ll jump in.”

“I’ll be there waiting.”

“Thanks.” Deep in her soul Bonnie wanted something better. Something to protect Luke. But, for now, this was all they had.

As the minutes ticked by, Bonnie moved nervously around the small living area of the RV. The lighting was poor and with all the windows covered she felt like she was in a cave. When the red phone rang she jumped.

“Hello.”

“I’m putting Luke on. You’ve got five seconds.”

She heard what sounded like a chair being scooted across the floor. Then she could faintly hear, “Your wife wants to make sure you’re still alive. Talk to her.”

“Bonnie?” Luke’s voice was hoarse.

“Luke?” Her heart raced. “Are you okay?”

“I’m... okay. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said through strained emotions. “You don’t sound good. Have they hurt you?”

“No, just a little sore and—”

“That’s enough,” the raspy voice interrupted. “He’s okay and he’ll stay that way if you do what you’re supposed to. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“Good. The door is unlocked now. The Jeep’s sitting right outside. Leave immediately. And one more thing: Someone will be watching you at all times.” He clicked off.

Bonnie snapped the phone closed and stuck it in her back pocket beside Lauren’s cell phone.

The moment she’d been dreading had finally come. She picked up the map and with great dread, pushed the door open.

The black Jeep was the first thing she saw. She went down the steps and opened the door. When she tossed the map in the passenger’s seat she saw a plastic bag. Inside was a package of blue contact lenses. She studied them while she tried to remember the last time she went without her contacts. People had to be five feet away before she recognized them. What were the odds someone would notice her eyes were green, not blue?

It was an easy decision. Her real contacts were more important. With a flick of the wrist, the package of contacts flew into the backseat.

Also on the seat she saw a key and a piece of paper with the rest of her instructions:

When you get there, sit in the Jeep until exactly 2:10 by the clock on the dashboard. Then go to room B1114.

Once she was on the highway, Bonnie called Lauren and gave her the final details. Lauren said she’d be waiting for her in the employee parking lot at 2:11. From this point, she was on her own.

In less than ten minutes, the hospital came into view. Heavy machinery and a slew of pickups were working in the lot next door. A freshly painted sign on the street showed an architect’s rendering of the Myron C. Sheppard Children’s Center:
Opening in Spring of 2015
.

Bonnie parked in the lower level as directed. It was 2:06.

Across the parking lot beside the entrance, two women stood smoking cigarettes next to glass doors. From a sidewalk across the lot, another woman approached the entrance carrying a helium-filled balloon with
Get Well Soon
scrawled across it. When she got to the glass doors they opened automatically and she disappeared inside.

With the engine idling, Bonnie waited, getting more nervous with every passing second. Years ago she had taken yoga classes and they taught her how to calm herself with breathing exercises, but it didn’t seem to be working today.

At 2:10 the smokers crushed their cigarette butts on the pavement and went inside. With a trembling hand, she turned off the ignition and put the key under the floor mat.

It was time.

After taking a deep breath Bonnie got out and stood beside the Jeep. Her legs felt weak, like they might buckle any minute. She started walking, but just before she got to the glass doors, a nurse pushing a woman in a wheelchair came around the corner.

When she got closer she recognized Chondelle, the chubby, black nurse she’d seen in the pictures. The woman was even bigger and overflowing the chair. Both women were laughing and trailing behind them was a skinny little man carrying a vase of flowers. The glass doors automatically opened.

Bonnie stopped just short of the door and waited while Chondelle pushed the wheelchair outside. She glanced at Bonnie. “Hi Dr. Owens. How are you today?”

Bonnie’s stomach fluttered when she realized she forgot to hold the cell phone to her ear to avoid eye contact and conversation.

But, before she could reply to Chondelle, the large woman barked at the man who was obviously her husband. “Well, Leonard, are you gonna go get the truck or is Chondelle gonna have to push me all the way to Idaho?”

The small man said, “I’m goin’, Hon,” and scurried past them toward the parked cars. This caused the women to forget all about her and laugh even harder.

Bonnie slipped past the women, pulled out the cell phone, and pressed it against her ear as she hustled down the corridor. The hallway was empty and halfway down she came to room B1114. Quickly she unlocked it and stepped inside. She relocked the door, fell back against it, and released a long breath. Her first challenge was over.

She was amazed that Chondelle had only glanced at her and took her for Dr. Owens. It worked, but she still hadn’t spoken to anyone.

In B1114 was an old metal desk and chair. On the desk she saw a white blouse, an assortment of jewelry, and a brown leather purse.

Bonnie pulled off the beige blouse she was wearing and replaced it with the white one. There were two gold rings—one with a cluster of small blue stones and the other one had a huge diamond in the middle with slightly smaller diamonds on each side. No one said which ring went on which hand, so she pushed the diamond ring onto her left hand. The other went on the right hand. A little tight, but they fit. There was also a gold chain with a locket. While she put it on she noticed the watch. It was a brand she’d heard of but never seen: Patek Phillippe. On the back it was engraved:
To Tammy from Kim: My Eternal Thanks.

She quickly fastened it on her left wrist and picked up the hospital bracelet. It went on the right wrist and with a snap, it was securely in place.

Bonnie picked up the purse and unzipped the top and dug through the contents. In the billfold she found a California driver’s license with a photo of Tammy Camille Owens that looked back at her. It was like looking into a mirror.

She returned to the contents and found several credit cards, a wad of bills, and other cards for insurance, AAA and Starbucks. She dug deeper and found lipstick, tissues, eyeliner, finger nail polish, and a pair of Brighton sunglasses. Bonnie had a pair just like them.

Several credit card receipts were in a side pocket. She checked one and saw the signature and thought it could be easily forged if it came down to it. She also found a key for a Lexus, birth control pills and a couple of pictures. In one she sat beside a Golden Retriever, and the other looked like it was taken in Hawaii. The doctor was with a good-looking man, sitting on a beautiful beach at sunset. Both were wearing leis.

She glanced at the diamond ring and decided it was definitely an engagement ring.

The cell phone rang and she answered with a whisper.

“Yes.”

“Have you changed your shirt and put on the jewelry?”

“I have. How about this purse?”

“It’s hers. Carry it with you.”

“Okay.”

“It’s time. Take the elevator to the third floor. Go to the Dialysis desk and make sure you deal with Rosemary. She’ll check your bracelet, and then give Olivia to you. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“And this time don’t forget to hold the phone up like you’re talking on it. You almost got caught in the basement.”

A chill ran through her as she realized they
were
watching her, just as they said.

“I will.”

Bonnie ended the connection but left the phone open in her hand. She put the leather strap of the purse over her shoulder, took a deep breath and stepped out into the hall. After closing the door behind her, she held the phone up to her ear and started toward the elevator.

She passed several people who appeared to be visitors on their way to the parking lot but made little eye contact. When she got to the elevator an elderly couple stood patiently waiting. She stood back, listening carefully to her imaginary phone call. Every now and then she’d say something, but not enough to create attention or disturb anyone.

“Okay... okay. That will work out fine.”

An electronic bell chimed, and a second later the doors opened. The old folks got on first, Bonnie followed and pushed the button for the third floor before retreating to the back corner speaking in short sentences: “I’ll have to check and let you know,” then, “That’s good.”

On the first floor they stopped and the old couple got out and a young man wearing blue scrubs got in. He was pushing a stainless steel cart loaded with folded linens and didn’t seem interested in anything but his iPod. She did not recognize him and stared at the floor while focusing her attention on her phone.

The elevator started its slow climb. This had to be the slowest elevator ever made and now, as nervous as she was, her anxiety increased with every heartbeat. She watched the floor number change from one to two. And then finally, the elevator pinged on the third floor.

When the door opened, the orderly glanced toward her, a signal for her to go first. She took a deep breath then stepped off and marched down the hall with the phone held close to her ear.

She passed a nurses’ station where a woman typed furiously at a computer. A male nurse with a shaved head—James, she thought—stood behind her, putting folders into a filing cabinet. No one seemed to notice her.

At the end of the hallway she came to the sign that said
Dialysis Unit
, with an arrow pointing toward two swinging doors, both closed. She pushed one open and stepped inside and saw DeWayne was standing over against the wall. As soon as they made eye contact, he gave a slight nod and left. There were two nurses standing there. Rosemary, who she recognized immediately, was typing on a keyboard, and the other was squatted down in front of a stroller cooing at its occupant. The stroller faced away from Bonnie so she wasn’t sure if it held Olivia or not.

Rosemary glanced up and cast a quick smile at Bonnie, then returned to her computer screen. “You’re just about ready,” she said as she reached around and pulled a piece of paper off the printer.

The other nurse said, “If you don’t want her, I’ll take her home with me. She’s so precious.” It was Angie, the one whose description was
slow and lazy, but patients love her
.

Bonnie made no comment.

“Okay, Dr. Owens,” Rosemary said, sliding a clipboard over to Bonnie. “I just need your initials on the bottom and you’re good to go.”

Bonnie grabbed the pen and scribbled “TO”, making it like the signature on one of the receipts in the doctor’s purse. She saw Rosemary turn around and say, “Angie, you need to get back and check on Mr. Webber. You know how he is.”

“Okay,” Angie whined. She stood up and looked at Bonnie, who lowered the cell phone from her ear. “Dr. Owens, you still going to be in town on Monday or will you be back in San Francisco?”

Bonnie’s heart fluttered, reminding her of high school when the teacher called on her and she didn’t know the answer. “We’ll be here,” she said.

“Good,” she said. “See you then.”

Bonnie smiled at her then looked away.

Rosemary stood, went to Olivia’s stroller, and pushed it around her desk to Bonnie. “Okay, let me make sure you’re who you say you are.”

Bonnie’s heart lurched. She held her breath as she held her wrist toward her. Rosemary checked the ID bracelet, and murmured, “Um hum.”

Bonnie dropped her arm and took a deep breath. She looked down and saw the sleeping child. Instantly goose bumps rose on both of Bonnie’s arms. Olivia’s pretty blonde hair framed her angelic face. She was, as Angie had said, precious. Without thinking, Bonnie squatted down and reached out to smooth her soft hair.

A few seconds later Rosemary bent down beside her and in a quiet, but firm voice, said, “You need to get going.” Bonnie looked at Rosemary, whose unsmiling eyes burned into hers. A second later her expression changed. She stood and smiled warmly. “Your driver will be wondering where you are.”

Bonnie snapped back to reality. “Thank you.”

Rosemary’s eyes gave her a knowing glance. Bonnie knew—Rosemary was in on the kidnapping.

Rosemary watched as Bonnie turned and pushed the stroller through the doors and down the corridor at a deliberate pace. Along the way no one seemed to notice her until a nurse named Jackie barely looked up and said, “Have a good evening, Dr. Owens.”

When she reached the elevators she punched the down button and waited for what felt like an hour. When the chime sounded, the elevators on the left opened and two middle-aged ladies stepped out. Bonnie pushed the stroller through the open doors and pressed the button for the basement. Just as the doors started to close, she heard someone yell, “Wait!”

She froze.

Did someone already realize I’m not Dr. Owens? Have they called security and the cops?

No one appeared and the doors started to close, but at the last second an arm was thrust between them.

The doors opened and two teenage boys with their ball caps on backwards stepped into the elevator.

“Sorry, ma’am,” one of them said. “I didn’t mean to yell, but these elevators are so slow I didn’t want to wait for another one.”

“That’s okay,” Bonnie said, trying to calm her pounding heart.

Then she heard another chime.
It must to be the other elevator arriving
, she thought. Just as the doors of the elevator started to close, she saw a woman with red hair run in front of the elevator. When she looked back into the elevator Bonnie saw a look of panic on her face. As the doors closed, their eyes met.

It was Dr. Owens.

Something had gone wrong.