“Disappeared?” Glenn asked. “Didn't you ride together?”
“My horse picked up a stone, so I stopped to dislodge it while Rod rode over the next rise for a photo of the coast. I found a riderless horse, but no Rod.”
“Did you share your plans with them?”
“Yes. I mentioned our weekend horseback riding in Westport County to Ailbe. It wouldn’t take long to find us.”
“Shite. Who have you told?”
“I called General Steinburg, and he said he would call Commissioner Kane. I’m sure Kane contacted O’Brien by now.”
“O’Brien hasn't contacted us. We must act immediately.” Glenn’s worried voice further agitated Wyl. “Have you been contacted?”
Wyl’s phone beeped with an incoming second call. Wyl checked the display. Rod’s phone. “It’s Rod. I’ll call you back.” He pressed to take the second call. “Where are you?” Wyl asked. “I am worried sick.”
“I have something you want, and you have something I want,” Ailbe said.
Shock coursed through Wyl. He swallowed, emotions of rage and fear duking it out in his mind. He took a calming breath. “Is Rod safe?”
“That depends on you.” Ailbe's confident sneer irritated him.
Wyl paused, stemming the anger boiling inside of him. “I swear, if you hurt him, I’ll hunt you down and make sure you don’t kill any more innocent men.”
“If you want to hold your precious husband again, you better change your attitude, Mr. Sterling.” The word emphasis caught Wyl’s attention.
Wyl swallowed, his torso trembling, his hands shaking, and his face hot. Through gritted teeth, but in as calm a voice as possible, he asked, “What do you want, Ailbe?”
“You and me and the world.” The words rolled off Ailbe’s tongue like fine verse.
Wyl thought long and hard. Game, he kept telling himself. Play the game. Ailbe must believe he is in charge.
“I’ve been thinking about our conversation over lunch the other day. We do make an unbeatable team. Perhaps I put a bug in the code so you would need me.” Wyl kept his voice soft, with a pleading edge.
No response from Ailbe.
“Ailbe?”
“You expect me to believe that?” Ailbe asked.
“Why else would I do it?”
* * *
“Who called?” James asked. He stepped from the shower to prepare for his gig at Wilde’s on Saturday evening.
“Wyl,” Glenn said. “He said Ailbe and Declan kidnapped Rod.”
James paused. “You’re kidding.” He bent to dry his legs. “How?”
“They went horseback riding, and Rod disappeared.”
“Where?” James stepped into his boxers and reached for his trousers.
“Westport County.”
“Did Wyl hear from them?” James pulled on his trousers, fastened, zipped, and reached for his belt.
“He called me, but another call beeped in from Rod's phone while we talked. I’m waiting for him to call back,” Glenn said.
Glenn’s phone rang. He touched the screen to accept the call. “Wyl? Did Rod call?”
“No. Ailbe called using Rod’s phone. They have him, and they want me.”
“What are his demands?”
“I’m to make myself available, and they’ll pick me up.”
“Where?” Glenn asked.
After a long pause, Wyl said, “I can’t tell you.”
“Sterling,” Glenn’s voice shot out loud and clear. “You need us. Fill me in!”
“If anything happens to Rod, my life is over. Figure it out.” Wyl disconnected the call.
“Feck!” Glenn tossed the phone on the bed. “Wyl is doing this on his own, and we’ve got to figure out how to help them.”
“What did he say?” James asked.
