Chapter 3

He explained weakly, "Harris called me and said the elders were acting with you, just to make him stay home..."

I didn't bother to speak. The officer beside me said, "Call Harris and tell him what happened."

Nicholas agreed and stepped aside to make the call.

The phone showed the line was busy.

Thinking of my mother-in-law's delicate nature—how she'd need someone to blow on her hand if it was scalded by hot water—I couldn't imagine how much pain she must be in now. I took a deep breath to calm myself and quickly called Wilson.

His line was also busy.

Just minutes after I hung up, Wilson called back.

Before I could ask if he'd raised the money, I heard him sigh and say, "Petra, I have to say, how could you trick me with something like this? Suarez and Louise spoil you, but you need to tell them to do it in moderation. If I hadn't asked Harris about it, you would have given me a heart attack."

In that instant, my heart turned to ash.

"Harris told you we're acting? You don't have to believe me, but can you reach my in-laws? The police are right here beside me."

The person on the other end kept sighing, then said, "Harris has feelings for someone else, Petra. If it really doesn't work out, just divorce him. That way you'll both be free."

After I hung up, Nicholas got through to Harris.

Nicholas said, "Harris, you need to come back. Your parents really seem to have been kidnapped."

The person speaking on the other end wasn't Harris—it was Barbara.

"Nicholas, are you acting along with Miss Petra too? Harris is barbecuing right now. I'll get him to take the call."

After she spoke, I heard Barbara relay Nicholas's message.

Harris didn't even take the phone. He just said to Barbara, "Hang up. That crazy woman Petra won't let anyone have a moment's peace."

The call was disconnected. Nicholas looked at me with furrowed brows.

I looked down and smiled bitterly. "I have no leads, but they want the money delivered to the harbor warehouse. The money isn't enough, but I have to go. If I act as bait, can it increase your chances of solving the case?"

The female officer beside me said, "Miss Petra, let me deliver it for you."

I smiled. "What if the kidnappers recognize me? If you go, won't that blow our cover? You can protect me from the perimeter. I'll deliver it myself."

Since no one had a better plan, they agreed to my request.

When the kidnappers called again, I deceived them, saying I'd raised the money and asking them to confirm the delivery location. I'd deliver it—hostages and money exchanged simultaneously.

I heard a cold laugh, then a casual reply: "Sure."

My heart immediately felt something was wrong. Before he hung up, I asked, "I want to hear their voices."

"Why the rush, Miss Petra? You'll see them soon enough."

After speaking, the call was cut off.

I had my financial manager withdraw the money. I dragged a suitcase full of cash to the location the kidnappers specified, then received their call telling me to move, to go to the underground parking garage—the elders were waiting for me in the parking garage.

I didn't care about the money—the police were upstairs. I quickly ran to the underground parking garage.

I found my mother-in-law's car in the garage. The door was open. Both of them had their throats cut, blood continuously pouring out. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I stumbled over, running while calling 911.

"Someone's had their throat cut in the underground parking garage of the harbor warehouse. Please come quickly."

I gripped their hands tightly. "Hold on. The doctors will be here soon."