Tucking the 9mm back into his waistband, he grabbed the arms of her chair, and leaned forward until he was nearly touching her, their faces so close she could smell his fetid breath, warm against her skin. Hatred filled her at the thought this was the man who’d murdered Steven, who’d tried to frame her for it. She’d bet he thought if she was sent to prison, he’d have free run of the company, but that would never have been enough for him. It was all or nothing, and he refused to take nothing.
“I’m going to cut the duct tape, and you are going to slowly get up from this chair and walk around the table and sit down at the stacks of papers. You will then sign everywhere we have marked. If you don’t, well, you’ll be joining Elizabeth.”
With a single nod, she leaned back, watching him pick up the large knife, and slide it against her skin, his smirk making her want to punch him right in the mouth. Once her hands were free, she rubbed against the skin, trying to ignore the pins and needles sensation flooding her. Next, her legs were freed, and she stood, swaying a little from the aftereffects of the drugs she’d been given.
Just think, I’ve always worried about getting roofied. Who knew it would be my so-called friends who slipped me a mickey.
Walking around the table, she eased onto the chair Donald had indicated, staring at the pages that had been placed face down on the table. The corner of one stack had a smudge of Elizabeth’s blood across it, and she choked on her inhalation.
This can’t be happening. It’s all a horrible dream, and I’m going to wake up at the Boudreau ranch. Ms. Patti will come into the kitchen and start dinner, asking me if I want to help. Douglas will stroll inside, having been out with the horses. He makes me feel safe. They both do. Everything about theBoudreau family is real. They’ve built a family from a ragtag bunch of boys who needed help and now they help others. I want to be part of that, part of making a difference. I want to see Ms. Patti’s eyes light up when she spots Gage. She’s got a soft spot for him, I know. That’s real. This is just a nightmare and I want to wake up now. Come on, Suzanna, it’s time to wake up.
“This might be a nightmare, but you’re awake and it’s all very real.” Donald whispered words made her realized she’d spoke out loud. He leaned over Suzanna’s right shoulder, and tapped the first stack of papers. “Let’s start with this stack. It’s a copy of your revokable power of attorney, which you will sign. You’ll postdate it three months ago. There’s also a letter addressed to me, stating you want me to handle all your business affairs while you mourn your husband. You feel like you aren’t capable of making any decisions about Dawkins, Inc. during this time, and want me to handle all the business affairs. I’ve been doing it anyway, this just makes things all nice and official, since I’ve been signing things at the office that you should have been taking care of. Of course, you couldn’t be bothered to come into the office to even check on things. Not once since Steven died did you even darken the doors. Such a pathetic excuse for a wife.”
Flipping over the stack, she saw that it was exactly what he stated. Scrawling her name across the bottom, she handed the stack to him, which he accepted with a malignant grin.
“What now?”
“On to the next thing. This is the most important thing. My dear, this is your last will and testament.”
“I already have a will. I’ve had one for several years.”
“This one will make that one obsolete. You will sign the new will, leaving Dawkins, Inc., to me. It was supposed to be mine, so you’re simply rectifying Steven’s mistake. I know the probate court is going to uphold Steven’s will. I’ve got spies atthe courthouse who told me the ruling on the will is coming next week.”
Fear coursed through her, a bead of sweat sliding down her forehead. If she signed that will, she was a dead woman. There was no way Donald would let her live. As long as she was alive, he wouldn’t have ownership of Dawkins, Inc., with its new microchip technology. She wasn’t stupid, she realized he must have sabotaged the chips, delaying the launch.”
“Steven found out you sabotaged the particle light microchip, didn’t he? That’s why you killed him.”
“It was my project! I did everything to make it a success. I brought on the IT personnel who worked the program from start to finish. I brought on the marketing professionals to facilitate the launch and publicity for the microchips, and well as distribution. I approached Sandoval about providing secure courier services. Why shouldn’t I reap the glory? Instead, Steven met with Sandoval and refused to use him.”
“Because Gustavo Sandoval is a criminal.”
Donald barked out a laugh, the light from the crystal chandelier glinting off the shiny blade. “It’s business, Suzanna. Everybody in business is a criminal in one way or another. At least they are if they want to be successful.”
“That’s not true. Steven wasn’t a criminal.”
Donald’s maniacal laugh startled her. “Oh, my darling Suzanna, Steven really had you fooled, didn’t he?”
“I don’t believe you. I knew my husband, and he was an honest man. He was good to his employees. He was loving and kind.”
“Then why did he cheat me out of what was rightfully mine?” Donald’s scream echoed off the walls. He stalked away from her, before slamming his hand against the table hard enough she could feel the vibrations beneath her hands. Drawing in a ragged breath, she braced herself, knowing she’d only have one shot,one chance to get away. The house was empty; she’d given all the staff time off when she’d gone to New Orleans and then to Shiloh Springs. But if she could make it outside, there were neighbors who could hear her screams—maybe. Who knows, maybe the police were already on their way. Maybe a neighbor heard the gunshot, and the cavalry would ride to the rescue any minute.
Didn’t matter. She had to try.
Throwing herself from the chair, she raced through the opening and toward the front door—toward freedom.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Jansen said Blackthorn’shouse is empty. Suzanna, Elizabeth and Donald are all missing. There were signs that something happened, because a chair was knocked over and it looks like there’s a hall runner missing. He’s got a warrant for the Blackthorns’ arrest, but he’s got to find them first. Ranger’s in the hospital, doesn’t remember hearing or seeing anything that might give us a clue to where he might have taken Suzanna. I’m missing something. What am I missing?” Gage kept turning all the information over in his head, his hands gripping the steering wheel. The traffic through the streets of Dallas was a freaking nightmare. He wanted to wring the neck of whoever at TXDOT coordinated the traffic signals, but it was a bloody joke.
“Jansen believes you about the evidence?” Bas still held his cellphone clutched in his hand, ever since the call from Ranger. Gage knew Bas would rather be at the hospital with his brother than chasing after Donald Blackthorn, but he needed him to help with the search for Suzanna.
“Where would they take Suzanna? They had time to plan this, so it could be anywhere. I usually have time to study my suspects, figure out how their minds work. Blackthorn is a mystery. All I know is he’s greedy and he’s desperate.
“Not much help. Let’s try and work through this. Ranger was dumped in an alley. Somebody found him and called nine one one. Took his money, but left his ID and credit cards. Conscientious thieves? I doubt Blackthorn was expecting anybody to find Ranger before the drugs killed him. Did hehave help moving my brother? Ranger’s not a little dude, and Blackthorn’s considerably smaller than him.”
“Adrenaline lets you do a lot you couldn’t normally. If Elizabeth helped him, he might have been able to load Ranger in the back of a car or SUV. It would have been awkward, but doable. Might explain the missing hall runner, if they used it to help drag and lift him.”
“Suzanna would have been easier to handle. She’s a lot smaller, and I doubt they were trying to kill her. Maybe they dosed her with a smaller amount, made her malleable, willing to take commands, and simply walked her out of the house.”
