Twenty
Bay
Ellen looked to be in her early sixties. She was very distinguished with her gray hair cut into a sleek, short bob, black-and-blue-rimmed glasses, and a knee-length skirt and crisp cream-colored blouse.
I followed behind her, thankful to get away from Hale and his scowling. Although I did like his dog. I wished he’d allowed him to go with me.
When we reached the third flight of stairs, Ellen turned right and opened a door that was much smaller and not as wide and ornate as the others we had passed.
“This room is never used, but I do come up and clean it properly every other week. Luckily, I was in here two days ago, so it is nice and fresh,” she informed me.
“The window just over there opens up and will let in some fresh air as well. I’m afraid that’s the only window on this floor, but it does have a lovely view of the property. ”
She went over to the lone window and popped it open. It didn’t slide up, only out about a foot. When she turned back to me, I could see the concern in her brow, but she wasn’t asking questions. From her reaction downstairs, I assumed this was not the room she would have put me in.
It was small, but there was a full-size bed, a dresser, and a rather plush, comfortable-looking chair in the corner.
The round rug that covered the majority of the hardwood floor was also nice and thick.
I thought the area was cozy. It wasn’t a terrible prison.
I could survive in here while those who cared looked for me.
“The bathroom up here isn’t very big either,” she began. “It’s back out through here.” She pointed behind me at the door we had just walked through.
I stepped back to let her lead the way. Only a few steps away was another room with no door.
It was an arched opening to the tiny space.
Inside was a toilet, sink, and shower. You could stand in the shower and reach out and touch the sink and the toilet at the same time.
I was sure my closet at home was bigger than this. But it would get the job done.
“I will bring up fresh towels and toiletries,” she told me. “Perhaps extra toilet paper as well.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
She wrung her hands, glancing around nervously. “I made tacos. I hope you like those. I will bring up a tray for you. Would you like a glass of wine? Or do you prefer whiskey?”
I let my gaze scan the area. Wine might make it easier to rest tonight.
“Wine, please.”
“We have just about everything. Do you have a preference?”
“Merlot,” I asked.
She nodded, seeming relieved that she could get that for me.
“I’ll bring that right up to you. If there is anything else I can get you…perhaps extra blankets or pillows?”
I shook my head. There were at least six pillows on the bed already and two blankets folded at the foot of it.
“No need,” I assured her.
“All right, if you can think of anything else, let me know. I do go home this evening. When Mr. Carver is home, I don’t stay the night. But I’ll be sure you’re fed and you have all the things you need to be comfortable before I go.” She paused and frowned again. “Do you have any luggage?”
I did. My carry-on, which had been left in Hale’s Escalade.
“Yes. It’s still in the vehicle. I forgot to get it. I can go,” I began, but she shook her head.
“No, no, let me. You just, uh”—she paused—“make yourself comfortable.”
I managed to smile, although I didn’t feel like it in the least. My exhaustion was getting to me, along with the fact that I had been abducted by a millionaire, it seemed.
Ellen gave me one last glance before hurrying back down the stairs to take care of Hale and get my dinner.
I didn’t like the idea of her having to go up and down those stairs with my meal, but it was obvious she didn’t think I should go back downstairs.
She’d been adamant about me staying up here.
Probably best. I didn’t want to see that man again tonight anyway.
Or ever, but right now, that was impossible.
Sighing, I went back into the bedroom and over to the window.
It was too dark outside to see much, but the moonlight did illuminate a lovely backyard that seemed to go on for a while.
Backing up, I sank down onto the edge of the bed, dropping my discarded blazer beside me.
The mattress sank in gently. Running a hand over the cream quilt that covered it, I thought about my apartment.
My bed. My things. Tears stung my eyes. I wanted to go home.
How was it that all these years later, Harland was still ruining my life? I’d not seen him, spoken to him, or even thought about him, other than loathing his existence. Why now? When I had things all in order, he had to find a way to once again screw up things.
I didn’t need to give in to a good cry just yet.
Ellen was already worried about the situation, although she clearly wasn’t going to do anything about it.
Hale must pay good for her to overlook the truth glaring her in the face.
Or perhaps she was going to leave here and go to the cops. That would help tremendously.
What if she was waiting on me to tell her, to say something and confirm her suspicions?
Hope sprang up in my chest. That was it. She didn’t want to be wrong. I just had to tell her that I was being held captive. Hale had abducted me, taken me to a man named Linc’s house, and they were falsely accusing me. I could give her Reggie’s number. She could call them, tell them where I was.
Relief washed over me. I would be home by tomorrow. And the bastard who had me in this house would be in prison.
Unable to continue to sit, I stood back up and began pacing the room, anxious for Ellen to return. Why hadn’t I thought about this before? She could already be making calls.
The moment I heard footsteps on the stairs, I turned to face the door. This was it. I’d get out of here soon. The older lady appeared with a large tray in her hands. She smiled at me as she entered.
“You must be hungry too. Mr. Carver inhaled his, and I had to make him a few more. So, I brought extra for you and a slice of my coconut cake. It’s his favorite.”
Trying to word this carefully and not just blurt it out, I took a steadying breath before I began. “Ellen, I’m not here of my own free will. I’ve been abducted. Hale took my phone. Could you call my friends for me? They can get help.”
Shock, surprise, or even horror didn’t appear on her face at my words. Instead, it was more of a gentle, sympathetic look. “I know that, dear. But I can’t call anyone for you. I’m sorry. You’ll be safe here. Taken care of until you can go.”
I blinked. It was me who was in shock. Not once had I considered this reaction from the woman.
“I’ve brought you an entire bottle of the best merlot in the cellar, and I’ll bring up the towels next before I leave,” she informed me, setting the tray down on the end of the bed, then taking a bottle opener and the wine to uncork it for me.
“I—you,” I stammered with a shake of my head in disbelief. “You know that I’ve been taken against my will?”
Her small smile was sincere. “Yes, of course. I’ve worked for Mr. Carver since the kids were all wee little things.”
Huh, so he did have kids. Not a lie.
“Does he abduct women regularly?” I asked, feeling the hope I’d had dwindling.
She chuckled. “No, this would be the first time that he brought one here at least. I stay outta the family business.”
The family business? The distillery?
“Here,” she said, pouring a glass of wine. “Normally, I’d say to let it breathe, but you need this. Drink up, get some food in you, and then rest. Tomorrow, things will look better. They always do.”
I took the glass from her. Then she turned and left the room.
She had been serious. She was aware of my situation and wasn’t going to help me.
How much did he pay that woman?