Chance.Twins.03.Sharp.Shot.2009 by Higgins Jack

Author:Higgins, Jack [Higgins, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0100-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11.

Waiting was the worst. Rich hated it. He felt so useless and just wished there was something he could do, but he knew that Ardman's team was doing everything they could.

There was actually lots for them to do. And though playing pool with Dad in the billiards room of the enormous mansion did take his mind off things for a while, Rich felt guilty when he remembered why they were there. And he wasn't just worried about Jade--he missed her.

"What if Darrow doesn't call?" Rich asked Chance as they played.

"He will."

Chance sounded confident. But Rich had noticed the slight hesitation before his father answered him. "Course he will," said Rich quietly. "I mean, he has to, doesn't he?"

The absent Algernon had been good enough to leave his cook and some of his staff behind, so there was no shortage of good food or people to get it. But Rich didn't feel hungry, and he spent most of his time sitting at the back of the

library watching Alan and Pete laughing and joking and checking their equipment. Neither of them seemed to sleep, and they ate a constant selection of sandwiches and snacks washed down with a never-ending stream of coffee.

The phones rang frequently, and whenever they did, Rich held his breath until it was obvious that the call wasn't from Darrow.

He barely slept that night. His bed was an ancient four-poster with heavy drapes tied back from the sides and sheets and blankets rather than a duvet. It was unfamiliar and uncomfortable, and Rich was so tired he couldn't get to sleep. Several times he almost drifted off, his eyes closing and his mind clearing. Then he'd jolt awake again as he thought of Jade or heard an owl on the grounds outside.

The call came the next morning. Rich and Chance were walking in the extensive grounds but keeping close to the house. Pete had routed the cottage phone to Chance's cell phone. Somehow, Rich knew as soon as it rang that this was it.

Chance checked the number of the incoming call before answering. He looked at Rich, and Rich could see the sudden anger and determination in his dad's eyes. Then Chance was running back toward the house. Rich guessed he was leaving it as long as he dared before answering. Pete and Alan would already know the call was from the cottage number--a reroute--and be tracing it.

Like Rich, they'd all be hoping it wasn't just an innocent call from a friend or an annoying telemarketer.

Rich didn't hear the start of the conversation, but as soon as they entered the library, he could hear a voice he recognized coming through the speakers. The man who had told Rich he was Ferdy McCain--the man who now had Jade. Mark Darrow.

"... and I'm sure you have lots of friends with you, maybe even the resourceful Rich. The equally resourceful Jade is . . ." The voice hesitated. "Well, let's just say she's safe."

"She had better be," Chance growled into the phone.

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