Black Pawn (Michael Cailen Book 1) Read Online Free

her
kidnapper.
    “So ... how long have you lived here?” she asked, trying to
make small talk.  Thinking maybe if she could gain his trust, he might let her
go.
    He didn't answer her.  Didn't even acknowledge the question
or that she had even spoken.
    “Do you have a family? Are you from around here?” she
continued, undeterred by his stony demeanor.
    “Quiet,” he snapped as he turned up the volume on the TV and
leaned forward.  The news had just come on.
    “Our top story tonight.  Police are looking for the
public's help in investigating a shooting at a local cafe that's left at least
one dead and possibly others injured.  Our lead investigator, Matthew Sykes,
has more on the story.”
    “Thanks Sheila.  Police still don't know what happened at
the Coffee Bytes cafe.  At around 11:10 a.m., the police started receiving
reports of shots fired in the area.  That's apparently when the gunfight broke
out in this small cafe.  There appear to be no witnesses and it's still unknown
who was involved in the shooting or what the possible motive was.  The only
known fatality is Cara Rice. She was the only employee who was working at the
time the incident occurred.  Police say it appears as though more were severely
injured, but fled the scene.  Police are asking anyone that has information
about this incident to contact them immediately.  We'll have more on this story
as it becomes available. Back to you, Sheila.”
    “Thanks, Matthew.  We'll be watching this story closely,
so stay tuned to Channel 10 Eyewitness News for updates.”
    Michael lowered the volume and leaned back still staring at
the TV.  Jessica too was staring at the TV.  The sight of the destroyed cafe
and hearing about the dead cashier just made everything too real.
    “Why aren't they looking for me?” she asked in a daze, not
even realizing she asked it out loud.
    “What?” Michael turned to look at her.
    “Why aren't they looking for me?”  She turned to him,
visibly distressed. “My purse, phone, car.  All at the cafe. Why aren't they
looking for me?”
    “The police don't tell the press everything. They're
probably holding back that information while they look for you,” he replied
calmly, like he believed it.  He didn't though.  He had a bad feeling he knew
why they didn't mention her in the news.  Her purse, phone, keys and car were
gone before the police ever arrived.  They weren't meant to be looking for
her.  He figured the security footage was toast as well.  No one would ever see
what really happened there.
    Jessica thought about it and decided Michael's explanation
made sense.  They must be keeping it quiet until they find her.  Surely they
would have seen the security footage and knew she was there.
    He suddenly stood up.
    “I have to go out. Won't be back for a while.  Do you need
anything before I go?”
    “Could I use the bathroom?”
    He uncuffed her and pointed to the bathroom.  She rubbed her
wrist and took her time hobbling across the floor.  She was in no hurry to be
cuffed to the pipe again.
    When she came out of the bathroom, she saw he had pulled out
the futon into a bed.  There was a pillow and blanket on it.
    “What are you doing?” she asked, leery of his intentions.
    “Relax.  I just figured you would be more comfortable if you
could lie down.  There's a pillow and blanket in case you get cold.  I might
not be back until the middle of the night.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “Do you need anything else?” he asked, ignoring her
question.
    “You could let me go.”
    “Come on.”  He gestured toward the handcuffs.
    Knowing she didn't much have a choice, she let him cuff her,
nervous about what he might do once she was restrained.  To her relief he just
grabbed his jacket and left.  It was more comfortable now that she could lie
down.  He left the remote on the futon for her.  That was thoughtful, she
mused.  She felt silly for feeling grateful for that.  On the table next to