“Wait,” Brenda argued, her bravado finding its legs once more. “I’m not giving you anything until you give me Janey.”
“You are in no position to make demands,” Mallory fired back. “Now pay attention or you’ll never see her again.”
“You better not hurt my child,” Brenda warned, a fresh burst of outrage getting the better of her.
“Why would I hurt a cute kid like Janey? She’s far too valuable on the black market to damage in any way.”
A new kind of horror poured like ice-cold acid through Brenda, freezing and scalding at the same time. “Just tell me what to do.”
“That’s more like it,” Mallory said smugly. “I’ll call with a location, and you’ll come.Alone. You give me the list and I’ll give you the kid. We go our separate ways. End of story.”
“Okay,” Brenda agreed without hesitation. “How long before you’ll call?” Her pulse was pounding like a drum in her ears. Her heart thumped wildly.
“A couple of hours maybe. I have some details to work out. Meanwhile, you stay cool and do not talk to anyone. Do you understand me? No one!”
“Yes,” Brenda urged. “Please, just let me hear her voice. I only want to tell her I love her. Please.”
A big, exasperated exhale. “Don’t say or ask anything your child will regret,” Mallory warned.
Brenda held her breath, her gaze locked on Ben’s. He squeezed her hand. She hadn’t even realized he’d been holding her hand. She was so grateful he was here.
“Hello.”
The sound of Janey’s sweet voice had tears of joy spilling from Brenda’s eyes. “Hey, sweetie. How are you? Mommy misses you so much.”
“Me and Mall’y are having an adventure,” she announced.
“Wow, I hope you’re having fun.”
“We’re having lots of fun.” She made a soft sound like a sleepy sigh. “I miss you too, Mommy. When are you coming to pick me up?”
“Very soon,” Brenda promised. The struggle to keep her voice steady was an immense one. “I love you, baby girl.”
“Wuv you too.”
“Satisfied?” Mallory had reclaimed the phone.
“Yes.” Brenda swiped at her eyes. “Thank you for taking good care of her.” Janey sounded contented…and safe. Unaware of any danger.
“You’ll hear from me when I’m ready to meet.”
The call ended.
Brenda dropped her phone into her lap and sobbed into her hands. Her child was alive… She was okay…
For now.
Chapter Twenty-One
10:50 p.m.
Ben reached across the console and pulled Brenda into his arms. There were things he wanted to say but none of those words would change what she was feeling. She was desperate, nearly beaten and yet hopeful because the woman holding Janey hostage had allowed Brenda to hear her voice.
She drew back, swiped at her eyes. He wished he had a handkerchief or tissues, but he had nothing like that in this rental car.
“Sorry about that. I’m okay.” She took a deep breath and resettled in her seat. “This is a definite step forward, right?”
“Yes. Mallory has made contact and laid out her demands. You have agreed to meet them. Now we wait for her next call.”