Kingston Kidnappings (What Happens In Vegas Book 3) by Matt Lincoln (great book club books .txt) 📗

My entire body froze as he directed the question at me. I nodded to Eliza to wait for me in the hall. I turned to look at Harry once the door was closed.

“Thank you, Charlie,” he said. I frowned. I’d still been half expecting him to tear into me about what had happened, but I hadn’t expected him to be grateful. “For getting Amber back.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” I replied immediately. “There was no way I was going to let anything happen to her.”

“You’re a good kid, Charlie,” Harry chuckled.

I snorted in response. I was turning thirty next month. I was hardly a kid, but I knew what Harry was trying to say.

“I guess you’re okay, old man,” I retorted.

“Alright, get outta my room,” he grunted.

I smiled before turning to leave. I felt immensely relieved now that I knew that Harry bore no ill will toward me over what had happened. I was still concerned about the loose ends left in the case, but for now, I was going to focus on being with my family.

39

Naomi

“We’ve apprehended Sandra Baker,” Wallace informed me over the phone. “We’re working on arranging to have Davis extradited back to the United States. Once you’ve been cleared to leave the hospital, let me know so we can arrange a flight back for you. We’re eager to have you back at home.”

“Thank you, director,” I answered politely. “I’m glad that everything is getting resolved so nicely.” We said our goodbyes, and then I ended the call. I slipped the phone back into my pocket and took a deep breath.

I’d already been discharged from the hospital, but I hadn’t told Wallace that. I knew that if I did, he’d arrange a flight home for me immediately, and I was worried I might use that as an excuse not to stay.

The case was just about settled now. We’d arrested the group responsible for the trafficking and had rescued the children. All that was really left to do now was to conduct the final interrogations. From a professional perspective, my job was done.

However, what I was about to do had nothing to do with work. I needed to confront my parents once and for all. I couldn’t allow this irrational fear to continue to control me. Once I jumped this hurdle, I’d be able to perform my duties as a federal agent without the baggage my parents had inflicted upon me weighing me down.

I headed to their house in the northern part of Hamilton Harbour. The festival was over by now, which meant they’d most likely be back at home. My parents were wealthy, which was one of the reasons that their attempt to force me into an arranged marriage had been so shocking to me. It was a tradition that was more common among poorer families who were attempting to climb their way up the social ladder. Even then, it was a fairly antiquated tradition that most people just didn’t follow anymore.

Their house was large and luxurious. They had a large front yard bordered by a decorative, white metal fence. I felt a sense of trepidation as I stood there staring up at the house. I told myself that there was nothing to be afraid of. I wasn’t a little girl anymore, and I’d told the police to come looking for me if I hadn’t been in contact in the next few hours, just in case.

I took a deep breath and decided it would be better not to delay this any longer. I pushed the fence open and stalked up to the front door. I banged on it hard, the way I would if I were on a case investigating a suspect. If I treated this encounter as though I were meeting with a suspect, I’d be able to do this.

For a while, nothing happened. I knocked harshly again and heard a voice call out in response that shook me to my core.

“I’m coming!” my mother called from inside. It had been years since I’d heard that voice, but there was no way I could mistake it. “For goodness’ sake, this better be--”

Her mouth fell open as she pulled the door open and saw me standing there.

“Hello, Mother,” I said coldly. Her voice had yanked at my heartstrings, but I held onto the memory of that day in Kingston like an anchor. I wouldn’t allow myself to get distracted.

“Naomi,” she gasped. “When did… how did… I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I don’t have time to chat,” I replied curtly. “Is Father here?”

“Oh, yes,” she replied, her face falling at my unfeeling expression. “Why don’t you come in? I’ll go get him.”

I stepped into the house with my head held high. Inside I was screaming, but I made sure to keep my exterior calm and collected. I could hear my mother speaking to someone in the other room. A moment later, she returned with my father in tow.

“Well, look what we have here,” my father sneered as he saw me. “You finally came crawling back, did you? After you embarrassed us like that? Who do you think you are?!”

He lifted his hand up as if to strike me, and I reacted on instinct. I seized his wrist and twisted his arm down sharply in a maneuver I’d executed many times before on multiple suspects. My father yowled in pain and fell to his knees. I felt a rush of exhilaration as I realized I’d defended myself against him for the first time in my life.

“How dare you?” he gaped. “All these years, and you still haven’t learned your place.”

“I could say the same,” I scoffed. “All these years, and you still believe that you have any sort of control over me.”

“How dare you talk back to me?!” My father shouted.

“Be silent,” I looked down at him. “I came here to make peace with you. To extend an olive branch, if you will. I see now that I was stupid to believe