The Unexpected Hostage by Allison McKenzie

Author:Allison McKenzie [McKenzie, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC027110 FICTION / Romance / Suspense
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2023-05-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Chasing Leads

After a fitful night’s sleep, Tess woke to find London had shifted into action for the day. Late autumn sunshine poured through the gauzy curtain sheers lining the hotel room’s windows. Grogginess gave way to anxiousness, and she checked to see if Mark had called, but he hadn’t. Damn it. She dragged herself out of bed, still feeling the sharp pang of disappointment.

Next, she searched her phone contacts for Inspector Archie Willis, the police detective who investigated Kyle’s accident last year. Typing quickly, she texted him regarding her new evidence and requested to meet at once. His immediate reply, which suggested a time slot in one hour, bolstered her hopes for progress. Three cups of strong coffee later, she ignored Dr. Patel’s advice about resting and hailed a cab to the Metropolitan Police Station at New Scotland Yard in Westminster.

When Willis met her in the lobby, he projected an aura of command, just like she remembered from Kyle’s accident investigation. Stout but not yet portly, his erect posture added inches to his otherwise diminutive height, and his immaculate, black leather oxfords reflected the light. Weathered, deep wrinkles documented his decades of police service, and he wore his grayish-blond hair in a no-fuss crew cut. He greeted her with a nod, surveyed her top to bottom, and his gaze lingered over her orthopedic boot.

She shook his hand and struggled to manage a half-hearted smile.

“Morning, Ms. Bennett. Ye just can’t stay out of trouble, can ye? Come upstairs, and we’ll get this sorted.” He gestured toward the elevator.

Tess followed him to his private office on the second floor, where the smell of day-old coffee lingered in the air. Tess took the guest chair next to his desk, exactly where she sat one year ago, and grasped the metal armrests. An odd déjà vu overcame her, and she felt doomed to restart the grief cycle, instead of coming full circle to complete it.

On the wall behind Willis, rows of framed commendations praised his service for countless investigations—everything from transit strikes and common thievery to citations for bravery during the 2005 London bus bombings. A twenty-year service award commemorating his dedication to the people of London stood on his bookshelf. Reminders of his achievements strengthened her confidence in his ability to solve this case.

He took a seat and pointed at her injured leg. “I’m sorry ye suffered harm during the Cedarcliff mess. Ye might disagree, but I’d say ye were damn lucky. Kidnapped hostages rarely escape, and those who don’t usually come home in a box.”

“I’m grateful to have survived.” Weary from the previous night’s catharsis, Tess attempted to remain unemotional.

“I read the Mounties’ report, the full report, and ye showed extraordinary bravery, especially for a civilian.” Willis clutched his pen and studied her. “Highly unusual.”

“Thank you. I’m hoping the remaining two gunmen are behind bars. Have any arrests been made?” She assumed the police were closing in on her attackers but simply hadn’t notified her.

Willis pressed his lips together and exhaled. “Our counterterrorism team is working the Cedarcliff case and cooperating with the Mounties.

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