Quinn pulled up the cloth leg and kissed it, suspecting hed find a similar first-aid job under the knee of Fionas corduroy pants. Although the initial flush of her cheeks had concerned him, he was relieved to see that Maria, the nanny du jour, had at least taken the time to dress his daughter properly for the winter weather and brush her curling dark locks back into a neat ponytail before abandoning her.
There. Shell be all fine now. Stealing another kiss from Fionas sweet, round cheek, Quinn set her down and pulled off her hat and coat. He nodded toward the specially stocked toy box he kept behind the counter of the kitchenette at the far end of his office suite. Okay, honey. You run and play for a few minutes while I talk to Elise.
Kay, Daddy.
He waited until the box was open and the search had begun for a favorite toy before he turned his attention to his assistant. He didnt have to ask for an explanation. The nanny didnt call, Elise told him. She dropped Fiona off with me downstairs and left. I couldnt convince her to stay.
Quinn unbuttoned his jacket, unhooked the collar of his starched white shirt and loosened his tie, feeling too trapped from unseen forces and ill-timed inconveniences to maintain his civilized facade. He paced down to see with his own eyes that Fiona was happy and secure, playing doctor on her doll with a plastic stethoscope and thermometer.
He came back, scratching his fingers through his own dark hair. He needed to think. He needed answers. Now. Can you watch her, Elise? I have work to do. I dont want to leave until I resolve this threat.
Elises mouth opened and closed twice before her apologetic smile gave him her answer. For a few hours, maybe. But my parents are in town, Quinn. Im supposed to be baking pies with my mother, and taking them to the candlelight service at church this evening. Besides, I cant keep her safe. And if that threat is real
He had no doubt that it was. Three dead men in the Kalahari proved that. You could come to the house. You know what kind of security I have there. Theres a panic room and armed guards.
And my parents? Hed always admired Elise for her ability to gently stand up to him. Its Christmas Eve, Quinn.
He was already nodding, accepting her answer, knowing it had been too much to ask. Of course. I understand. I was just hoping I wouldnt have to upset Fionas routine any more than it already has been.
The vibrating pulse against his chest ended all conversation, blanked out all thought except for one more visual confirmation that Fiona was safe. Then he let the protective anger he felt purge any distraction from his system as he pulled his phone from inside the pocket of his suit jacket.
Quinn? Michael prompted, equally on guard.
He nodded, reading the message hed been promised. Its the text.
What does it say? Elise asked.
Quinn read the skewed nursery rhyme, filling in the abbreviations as he said the words out loud. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, how does your money grow? With silver bells and 2.5 million shells into 0009357:348821173309. Midnight tonight. Or therell be another present for your daughter.
What the hell? was Michaels reaction.
Its a riddle, Elise needlessly pointed out.
I get it, Quinn assured them. Mary was my mother. I have a memorial trust in her name. Whoever this coward is wants me to transfer two and a half million dollars into this account by midnight. Or He glanced over at Fionas laugh. He couldnt imagine a world where someone had silenced that glorious sound. Ill transfer the money.
I dont recommend that. Michael took the phone from him, calling his tech guru Trip on the radio to get him up here to trace what Quinn was certain would be an untraceable number.
What choice do I have, Michael? How can I fight the enemy when I dont know who he is? And until we do find out where the threat is coming from, theres no way to stop him from coming at me again. He turned to his assistant. Elise, contact my bank. Dont let them close before I get there.
Yes, sir. She hurried to her office to do his bidding.
Michael copied down the message. What if you hadnt understood the rhyme?
I dont think this bastard is stupid. And he knows Im not.
Michael pointed toward the letter wrapped in the evidence bag. This message says to make something right before New Years Eve. Thats a week away. It cant be this simple, and hes gone to too much trouble to have it all be over this soon.
Agreed. Quinn propped his hands on his hips. As long as I can keep Fiona out of this, I want to string this guy along until I can get my hands around his neck.
Any further conversation stopped as the grate over Quinns desk swung open and Miranda Murdock lowered herself down through the opening to plop her combat-style boots on top of his desk. Shed stripped off her Kevlar and rifle and was brushing dust from her black uniform and snaggled hair. And she didnt seem to see anything odd about making such an entrance.
I think I found the way in, sir, she reported to Michael, jumping down beside him. Barring the whole just walking through the front door scenario. Of course, the intruder would still have to alter the camera recordingand turn the sensors off for the few seconds it would take to get in and out. She paused in her report, her sharp eyes turning to the side and widening enough that Quinn turned to see what had caught her attention.
Fiona. Standing in the middle of his office, her doll dangling to the floor beside her, looking up at the tall blonde woman as if a dusty angel had just descended from heaven.
Mirandas lips twitched before settling into a smile. Hey.
The tiny frown that creased Fionas forehead gave her an expression that was more concerned than afraid, or even curious. You falled.
The SWAT officer looked up at the open grate, still swinging slightly from the ceiling where Fiona was looking. Um, no. I crawled. And climbed. Andjumped. She plucked a clump of cobweb from her hair, glancing toward Quinn and her commanding officer with a questioning plea before pointing a finger at his daughter. But, you shouldnt try that. Its too high. Im, you know, taller. And a grown-up.
But the explanation had taken too long and Fiona had moved on to her real concern. Quinns hands curled into fists at his sides as Fiona walked right up to Miranda and held up her doll. Petwa falled.
Oh. Um, well She snapped her fingers. Thats exactly why you shouldnt crawl through ceilings.
Fiona stared.
Quinn gradually relaxed his protective stance. Not everyone got small children, nor knew how to communicate with themand he suspected Miranda Murdock was on that list. But he could see she was doing all she could to allay Fionas worries.
Not that your dollyPetra, is it?would do that. She needs to stay close to you. On the ground. Seemingly as flummoxed by his daughters fascination as shed been with Louiss idle flirtation, she looked to her captain for help. Sir?
Michael nodded a dismissal. Prove to me that you can get back out through that heating duct, and Ill have Trip check the sensors there to see if theyve been triggered by anyone else in the last twenty-four hours.
That, apparently, she could do. Needing no more encouragement, the twenty-something female officer climbed up on the desk and pulled herself back up into the ventilation duct in a skilled combination of pull-up champ and gymnast.