My Baby’s Gone, Chapter 26
Simone got off the elevator, and knocked on the door.
“ Come in.”
Simone walked in.
“ Hi. I’m looking for Alexis Davis.”
“ Ms. Davis is in a meeting. May I help you? “
“ No. I have a letter to deliver for Alexis Davis.”
“ I’m her secretary. I’ll make sure she gets it.”
“ Sorry. I have to hand deliver it.”
“ Ms. Davis is in a meeting.”
“ Then, I’ll wait.”
“ It could be a long meeting.”
“ Then I’ll be waiting for a long time.”
The secretary got up and went into an office. A man came out with her.
“ Hello. I’m Ric Lansing. I’m Ms. Davis’ partner. You have something for
her?”
“ Yes. I’m supposed to hand deliver it to her.”
“ Ms. Davis is in a meeting. You sure I can’t help you?”
“ Nope. Only Ms. Davis.”
Ric looked into the young woman’s eyes. He realized that she wasn’t playing.
She wasn’t going to give the envelope to anyone but Alexis.
“ Excuse me.”
Ric left, and a few minutes later, Alexis came out.
“ I’m Alexis Davis. And you are?”
“ Simone Russell. I’m supposed to hand deliver this to you.” Simone placed
it in Alexis’ hand. “ Thank you.” Simone began to walk away.
“ What? Aren’t you supposed to wait for a response?”
“ Nope. I was just to deliver it. Have a nice day.”
Simone left, and Ric and Alexis went into her office. Alexis opened the
envelope. She scanned the documents while Ric held the cellphone that was
inside.
“ We’ve been hired by one Julian Crane.”
“ THE Julian Crane?”
“ Yep. We’re supposed to help his sister Sheridan declare her mental competence,
and get a divorce.”
“ Sheridan Crane? It’s all over the news that she’s been kidnapped.”
“ Well, obviously some people are not as well informed as we are.”
“ So, Julian Crane kidnapped his sister?”
“ Liberated her from what his letter says. Says that his sister was
locked up in a psychiatric hospital against her will, given all sorts of
experimental drugs and shock therapy.”
“ Nasty.”
“ Nasty indeed. And, it was her loving husband that signed the consent
form. Sheridan Crane wants to be rid of him.”
“ Don’t blame her.”
“ Neither do I. Here, look at this.”
Alexis handed Ric a piece of paper. Ric whistled.
“ Do you know what this means?”
“ It means that Kristina and Molly’s entire educations through law school
are fully financed.”
“ Damn. The man is serious.”
“ Yes, he is. So, how do you think we should proceed?”
“ Well, first of all, we have to get a strong psychiatric professional
to declare Sheridan competent.”
“ Lainey Winters. Check.”
“ Then, we have to research Maine law and see how we can break the husband’s
committal forms.”
“ Check.”
“ But first we have to decide if we really want to take on Alistair Crane.
It’s obvious that the man supported his daughter being locked up and tortured.
Alexis, going up against someone like that…” Ric looked at his wife. “ You’re
already on board, aren’t you? Memories of Mikkos?”
“ More like memories of Helena. While my father ignored me, it was Helena
who did the torture. But, at least she was only my STEPmother. Alistair
is Sheridan’s FATHER. And, he let this happen to her. I know what it’s like
to be the weakling. I know what it’s like to be a girl going up against the
‘all powerful’. So, yes, Ric, I want in on this case. Sheridan Crane has
had everything was taken away from her: her freedom, her child, her life.
I want to help her get it back.”
Ric handed the cellphone to Alexis.
“ Then call Julian Crane at the specified number and let him know we’re
on the case.”
Luis was staring at the ceiling of his cell. It was the middle of the night.
He knew what the FBI had in mind for him, but he wasn’t going to give them
the satisfaction. He heard the door open.
“ I told you that I have nothing to say to you.”
“ Luis, it’s me.”
Luis turned around in shock. “ Gwen? What are you doing here?”
“ Sam snuck me in. The FBI agents went to get something to eat. We only
have a few minutes. How are you?”
“ How do you think I am?”
“ Oh, Luis. I’m so sorry for you. I know that this must be hard.”
“ Yeah, it sucks. I have figured it all out, though.”
“ What? “
“ Alistair and Antonio have found a worse place for Sheridan. In order
to cover themselves, they made up this kidnapping thing, framed me, and
are doing the FBI dog and pony show for appearances.”
“ Luis, I don’t think that’s what happened.”
“ Of course that’s what’s happened. What else could it be?”
Gwen held up a note.
Fox helped me cut the video loop of the FBI, but I can’t be
sure that he was completely successful. I need your help. If I’m right,
Sheridan needs your help. You need to make Alistair believe YOU took Sheridan.
Luis smiled. “ I understand. Sheridan will get all the help she needs.”
Gwen smiled back. “ Stay strong.”
Eve was sitting in her office. She had gotten word that a delivery would
be there tonight.
The DNA test results were in.