Missing - Adam Nicholls (ready player one ebook txt) 📗
- Author: Adam Nicholls
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Book online «Missing - Adam Nicholls (ready player one ebook txt) 📗». Author Adam Nicholls
Joshua said nothing and pressed his back against the wall.
“He’ll be here any minute.” Sandra saw no point in lying. Sickened by Joshua’s cowardice, she hoped Mason would burst in here to save the day with all guns blazing. But that wasn’t her luck. It’d never been her luck.
The killer herded them downstairs and into the dark living room and ordered them to sit on the couch, but his arm remained firm around Amy’s neck, the gun still held at her temple as her face turned red.
“We’d better get a move on, then, hey?” The killer pulled her back and kept the gun trained on Sandra. “Where do you keep your tools?”
What does he need tools for? “In the garage.”
“And zip ties?”
“We don’t have any.” It was a lie. Sandra suspected what he wanted them for.
The killer sighed. “You couldn’t lie to save your life, could you? Look, there are two ways to keep you still. The other is a little more permanent. So, I’ll ask again… are there any zip ties in your garage?”
Sandra hesitated, then finally gave in. “Yes.”
“Okay.” The killer shoved Amy forward, sending her crashing to her knees. “You go get them. But no funny business. If you’re not back in sixty seconds with those ties, you can kiss goodbye to Mommy and her new squeeze.”
Amy stopped, frightened. Tears sparkled in her eyes.
“Fifty-nine, fifty-eight,” the killer taunted.
It was enough to get her on her feet and scurrying out of the room.
“What do you want from us?” Sandra asked, ashamed Joshua had yet to utter a single word of defense or protest. Some man.
“Oh, don’t be so goddamn naive. You know what I want.”
The sixty seconds ticked by with the gun aimed at her, and Amy returned with what the psychopath had demanded. She handed them over and moved to sit with her mother but was stopped short.
“Nuh-uh.” The killer tossed the bag of zip ties to Sandra and beckoned Amy with his finger. “Get over here and let Mommy get to work.”
“Please,” Sandra begged, sniffling, “let her go and I’ll do what you want.”
“You’ll do what I want whether you like it or not. Now, don’t make me ask again.”
Amy shuffled back toward him.
“Tie yourselves.”
“What?” Joshua said, his voice cracking.
“You heard me. Hands behind your backs, and zip your wrists.”
Sandra hesitated and mumbled to Joshua that they should do as they were told; then they helped each other tie their hands. When they were done, the killer stepped forward and attached their ties together, back-to-back.
“This girl is mine now,” the Lullaby Killer said.
“Please…” Sandra began.
“Shh. Go with a little dignity, woman.” He took a cell phone from his pocket and placed it by her feet. “If you want a shot at getting her back, make sure Mr. Black gets this.” He raised the pistol to his shoulder and walloped Joshua with the butt of the gun, knocking him unconscious.
Amy yelped in shock, while Sandra flinched and screwed shut her eyes.
The killer dragged Amy with him, leaving Sandra subdued, afraid, and wondering how long it would be before Mason arrived and if she would ever see their daughter again.
Mason pulled up outside Evie’s, anxious to get going.
“You’d better get some rest,” she said as she opened the car door.
“Can’t. I’m taking Amy to a movie.”
“Ah, right. Plans. Well, enjoy yourself and keep me updated on the case.” Evie got out, closed the door, and went toward her apartment.
Should I… Mason sat gnawing on his knuckles, unsure if it was a smart move. Then, before it was too late, he opened the window and called after her. “Come with us.”
Evie stopped and turned. “What?”
“Come with us. She’s your niece, after all.”
It was the biggest smile he’d seen from her in years as she headed back to the Mustang.
Mason didn’t want to be late. He didn’t want to do anything to disappoint his daughter, so he sped back to the house while ignoring Evie’s complaints that he was going too fast. From his point of view there was no such thing as too fast. Not when Amy was waiting on the other end.
When they pulled into the drive, something—although Mason couldn’t tell what just yet—wasn’t quite right. He sensed inactivity in the house, and none of the lights were on. Then he spotted the front door ajar.
“So, I’m thinking maybe a subtle job.” Evie droned on about her potential plans for the next year. “Just movie reviews or restaurant critiquing, you know?”
But Mason wasn’t listening to a word. He had that feeling in his stomach—the one that told him he couldn’t relax. “Hand me that revolver.”
“What?” Evie pulled a face.
“The gun. Now.” He took it from her and exited the car, heading up the drive like he’d been taught at the academy. It was second nature to him now, creaking open the door, waving a hand to draw a warning gunshot from an overambitious shooter before heading inside with the barrel raised and his back to each wall. He started in the living room and was shocked by what he saw.
“Mason?” Sandra called out to him in the dimly lit room.
“What the hell?” He rushed to her, kneeled by her side, and examined the binds. “What happened? Where’s Amy?”
“She’s gone…”
Mason didn’t hear that last part. Or rather he did but didn’t want to. He took the stairs two at a time, despite his huge size. “Amy!” he called, grimly imagining what he might find. “Amy!”
At the end of the corridor, he burst into her room, raising the gun once more. He was expecting to find something sinister, something dangerous. Instead, all that remained were the drapes blowing in the wind, reaching out toward an empty room where his daughter was suppose to sleep—where she was supposed to be safe.
Mason felt a knot in his stomach. He knew he’d messed up, knew there was no coming back from this one. Even if he were to get Amy back safely, he would never be able to forgive himself for not being there.
Mason trudged downstairs, his soul in pieces and his head a wreck. Why didn’t I just stay away like Sandra told me? Time after time, she told me!
It was clear to him now: his loyalty to the job had grown far too strong for him to handle. Now it was affecting his personal life, and it was nothing more than punishment.
Evie was cutting the zip ties off Sandra and Joshua as he came back into the living room.
“Are you all right?” he asked Sandra, fighting the urge to punch something. His eyes went to Joshua, who was climbing to his feet without a word. Mason lunged forward and grabbed him by his throat, pinning him down on the couch. “You were supposed to be protecting them, you piece of shit!”
“Mason, come on,” Evie pleaded from behind.
“If you make a man’s family your own, the least you can do is make sure they’re fucking safe!” Mason raised his fist, and it took everything he had not to pummel the guy. On any normal day, he’d have relished the sight of this coward’s blood on his fists, but right now, he was incomplete—broken.
“It’s not worth it.” Evie pressed her palm against his fist, encouraging him to lower it. “He’s not worth it.”
Mason lowered his arm. But not his gaze, staring daggers at Joshua as he stepped back. “I want Bill here,” he said matter-of-factly. “His best team, everything they have to get my little girl back.”
“I’m on it.” Evie pulled out her phone and left the room, pressing it to her ear.
“Mason.” Sandra stepped to his side.
“Not now.” His life was collapsing around him. Was this his fault?
“It’s important.”
“Not now!
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