Pierced: Pierced Trilogy Boxed Set (122 page)

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He sat down in the chair next to the bed and shook his head. Cute kids, but boy was he glad they were sleeping! He didn't know how people did it. Put up with the whining and the crying and the constantly being responsible for someone else all the time. He didn't have that kind of patience. Not that he hated kids or anything. He never felt the need to mistreat 'em or nothin'. And he sure as hell wasn't one of those perverted sickos who got their rocks off by dicking around with little kids. In prison, those poor bastards were considered the lowest form of scum, at the very bottom of the food chain, and they were always the first ones to get harassed, beaten or worse. They deserved it, warped maggots.

He smiled as he watched them sleeping. He had actually had fun today. It had been a whole lot easier than he anticipated. They had come to him almost willingly. All he did was open the gate with a friendly smile and a wave, and they came of their own accord. Held his hands as they walked across the lawn. It was almost too easy. And he had taken care of them: made sure their seatbelts were fastened, played with them, sang Christmas carols with them. He had even fed them – bologna sandwiches, not peanut butter, just in case they were allergic. He had thought of everything. And he laughed to himself as he thought about how worked-up their parents probably were right now. He glanced to the bedside table at the small clock radio with a smirk. He would give them a few more hours. Let 'em get good and scared. And he knew that wouldn't be hard with the way their pretty little mother ran out of that shack at the back of the property. He wasn't even trying to spook her at the time, just looking around. But boy did she run.

He laughed again just thinking about it.

Chapter Six

Samantha

“There's been no word.”

Josh's voice is barely a whisper, but it's the first thing I hear when I wake with a start and my eyes pop open. His arms tighten around me, holding me close as I sit in his lap. This is where I cried myself to sleep. The last thing I remember is him carrying me to the family room while I cried hysterically in his arms. How long ago was that?

I glance quickly around the family room. The house is still full of people. Lots of cops. And both our mothers are still here. Lucas and Dennis and Paul Jr. And Lee Parson. But I notice that everyone is talking in whispers and hushed tones, and I know it's because of me. Because everyone wants me to rest.
They mean well, Sam.

“What time is it?”

“Just after midnight,” he answers softly. “It's been eleven hours.”

“Eleven hours? Our babies have been out there for eleven hours, Josh,” I quietly sob. “Where are they? It's cold outside. They must be scared or hungry? Are they wondering where Mommy and Daddy are?”

His arms tighten around me once more and I feel him shudder as he's overtaken by his own wave of tears. I reach up and caress his rugged face, feeling the dampness on his cheek as his tear-filled eyes lock with my own.

“I'm sorry, Sam,” he whispers. “I'm sorry for not keeping our family safe. I know I failed you, baby, and I am so sorry. I failed our kids. I didn't look after them the way I should have. I'm a cop! I know the dangers that are out there! I should have done more to keep them safe; I should have insisted on more security for them. I will never forgive myself for this!”

He completely breaks down in front of me. Something I haven't seen him do since the night he finally told me about his father's death. He carries around so much guilt and shame over what happened that night, and I know that he always will. Even though he saved his mother's life. And as scared and hurt as I am right now, I don't want him to carry this with him for the rest of his life too.

Still caressing his handsome face, I wipe his tears away with my fingers. “This is not all on you, Joshua,” I say softly.

“Yes, it is!”

“No! It's not,” I say, shaking my head. “This is my fault too. I did this! I know that you have always agreed with Lucas. I know that you've always wanted me and the kids to have more security. But I have always hated the idea of living in a gilded cage. I've hated it since I was a very little girl, and I never wanted my kids to feel that way! But you're right. You and Lucas are right, and sometimes, that gilded cage is necessary. This is my fault, Josh. Our babies are in danger because of me!”

It's a difficult thing to admit, but I know that it's true. This is all my fault. If I wasn't always so hell bent on trying to live my very privileged life without the trappings of wealth … shunning things like full time nannies and live-in maids and bodyguards and drivers, probably none of this would be happening right now. The Colby name comes with a very proud legacy, but it also comes with its share of headaches. There are those out there who wouldn't think twice about things like extortion and abduction. And keeping innocent toddlers away from their parents for God knows what reason.

And what is the reason? Where are my children and what is this psycho doing to them? Why were they taken? Is this just some predatory freak who's been lurking around the neighborhood, or is this about money?

“Josh, why are the twins gone?” I ask him desperately. “Who has them? Why were they taken?”

He looks at me with the most broken expression as he shakes his head. “I'm not sure,” he says, looking me in the eye.

“But what do they want? Do they want money; is that what this is about? I'll pay whatever they want!” I tell him tearfully.

“Samantha.” He pauses as he looks at me, and I can see that shadow of guilt and shame cross his handsome face once more. “We don't know that this is about Colby money. There hasn't been a demand for ransom as of yet. I know that it sounds impossible, baby … but right now all we can do is play this unbearable waiting game. While you were sleeping, Conner and I talked about calling in the FBI. I'm going to go ahead and give that order.”

“What does that mean?” I ask fearfully.

He shakes his head slightly. “It just means they'll come in and take over this case. And it's just as well 'cause I'm … I'm probably way to close here to be objective.”

He pauses for a long time and I watch so many emotions play over his face: fear, anger, despair, anguish. And it suddenly dawns on me how difficult this must be for him. Joshua is so used to being able to take charge, and to either fight or think his way out of any situation. If there's a problem, he finds a solution. If there's a puzzle, he figures out where all the pieces fit. If there's a bad guy, he takes them down. It's not just his job, it's who he is at his core. It's what he does. It's his nature. But right now he's lost. His babies are missing and he's so afraid right now that he doesn't trust his ability to think clearly.

Lightly, I run my hand over his face once more, in a soothing gesture as I rest my forehead on his. I don't know what to say to comfort him as the tears drop from my eyes.

A low rumble begins to build out in the living room and suddenly Dave Conner is rushing toward us. Josh and I are both wiping tears as we look up at him.

“Guy, I just got a call from Richards at the station,” he says excitedly. “He says a call just came in to the detective section saying the kids could be found at the Branch Motel in room 118.”

Josh sits up immediately, gently shifting me off of his lap as he stares at Dave. “Who was the caller? Did he say anything else?”

“Richards said the caller's voice was altered. Sounded mechanical,” Dave answers. “Just gave the motel and room number and then the line went dead. We've got a couple cars on the way there now.”

“You tell them to wait for me,” he says getting to his feet. I stand quickly and follow him into the living room where he picks up his discarded holster and pulls it on.

“I'm going with you!”

He turns and looks down at me with a most serious scowl. “No you're not!”

“Josh!”

“No!” He yells at me. “This is a police operation, Samantha and you are staying far away from it!”

“But they need me,” I wail.

“Yes, they need you,” he says forcefully. Then he caresses my face and his voice softens as he says, “And I will bring them home to you. I swear.”

His eyes bore into mine as I accept my place. Then he gently kisses my forehead. There is suddenly action all around me as mom wraps her arm around my shoulders. Most of the cops empty out of the room. Even Lee checks his gun and heads out with the others. Josh looks at mom and Olivia and Lucas, staring at them pointedly.

“Stay with her?”

“Of course, sweetie,” Olivia speaks up. “You just be careful.”

He kisses me swiftly and is gone.

Chapter Seven

Joshua

The Branch Motel is one of the seedier joints on the outskirts of the city. A run-down dive that's typically rented by the hour where no one behind the reception desk asks a whole lot of questions. It's not surprising that whoever is behind all this would utilize this kind of place.

The drive over feels like it takes forever, and all I can do is silently pray that my kids are okay. If they're even here. I know full well that anonymous tips often lead nowhere. But I don't dwell on that thought. I can't. They have to be here, because I'm not sure how much more of this Sam and I can take.

About thirty minutes after receiving the call, we screech into the motel parking lot with three police cruisers, and two unmarked cars, all with lights and sirens at full blast. Room 118 is at the end of the complex, and we form a perimeter around it with the cars. I leap out of the cruiser with my Sig drawn as we approach the door of the room. As expected, a turn of the knob reveals that it's locked, but I don't let that stop me. If my kids are on the other side of this door, nothing is going to stand in my way. One well placed kick with the sole of my foot sends the door flying open. With my heart racing a mile a minute, and with Conner and Marsh right behind me, I enter slowly.

The room is dark, but I can see the soft glow of the television from the doorway. The only sound I hear though is the pulsing of my blood in my ears.

“Clear,” I hear Marsh say, indicating that the bathroom is empty.

My gaze moves from the TV to the bed itself, and I feel the heavy weight of fear mix with the crushing uncertainty as my eyes focus on the two small forms in the bed.
Oh, my God!

“Leo?” My voice is unsteady and hesitant, and I'm afraid of what I might find when the lights come on.

“Daddy?”

Every cell of my body is instantly flooded with relief at the sound of those two small voices speaking in unison.

“Oh, my God,” I breathe as the light comes on. I drop to my knees beside the bed as the twins rush to me, and I gather them both in my arms, holding them tightly. Not giving a shit who sees my tears, I kiss both their faces repeatedly as I hug them.

“Hi Gwampa,” I hear Livvie say, and I look up to see Lee taking a seat on the bed beside us.

“Hi sweet pea,” he answers as he smiles down at us and lightly runs a hand over her hair. I begin to look them both over, running my hands down first Leo and then Livvie.

“Are you hurt?” I ask urgently as I check them out. “Did anyone hurt you?”

“No,” they answer in unison.

“No? You're not hurt?”

“No, Daddy.”

“What have you been doing?” I ask, looking them both in the eye.

“Sweepin'” Leo answers.

“We watch tartoons,” Livvie adds.

I can't help smile at their innocent answers, even as my imagination is running wild with dark scenarios. Sleeping and watching cartoons can't be all that's gone on in the past twelve hours. I need to find out what they know. “Who brought you here, buddy?” I ask Leo as Livvie steps over to Lee.

“The nice man,” he tells me.

“The nice man?”

“Yeah, nice man,” Livvie chimes in.

“Daddy, we singed Jingle Bells,” Leo says excitedly.

“We singed Jingle Bells and Santa Cwaus comin',” Livvie says.

“Yeah? The nice man sang songs with you?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

“We had bwony samich,” Leo says.

“You ate bologna sandwiches?” I repeat, glancing up at Lee as they nod in answer. What the fuck is going on? Whoever brought them here thankfully didn't harm them. And I know in my gut that they were taken to prove a point. To send a message of some kind.

“I want Mommy,” Livvie says suddenly, tearing up as she comes back over to me. And I wrap my arms around her and pick her up as I stand.

“I know you want Mommy, pumpkin,” I say as Lee takes Leo into his arms and stands up beside me. “And we're going to go see her right now, okay?”

“Kay,” she says, wrapping her little arms around my neck.

“Hey Lieu,” Conner says, getting my attention. “Something you need to see.”

With my daughter still in my arms, I walk over to him and enter the small bathroom. He gestures toward the mirror with a nod of his head, and I look to see a small piece of paper taped to it. It's a note, meant just for me.

So, Mr. Hot Shot rookie is a Lieutenant now, huh? Still overconfident and cocksure, I see. Cute kids. But you're making this game way too easy. Should I make it more interesting for you? Well, your pretty little wife is next. Only it won't have a sweet ending. But don't worry, she'll enjoy every minute of it!

I stare at the note, reading it and re-reading it again as I feel the icy grip of fear close around my heart. My earlier gut feelings are proven right. This is personal, and the twins were taken to get my attention. To send a message to me. Whoever this is has a grudge, and Samantha is the real target.

“What's going on?” Lee asks, entering the small bathroom with Leo still in his arms. His eyebrows shoot up in surprise as he reads the note.

“You got that look, Guy,” Conner says to me. “Does this note mean something to you?”

I shake my head slightly, feeling ill. “Whoever this is obviously encountered me when I was still a rookie. This is someone that I must have arrested back then, someone who ended up in prison because of that arrest. Conner, I had you looking at our old cases, but I think you need to go back much further than that. Back to my first few years on the job.”