She sat up and swung her feet over the side of the bed. A shooting pain between her shoulder blades and in her lower back reminded her of last nights tussle. She eased herself to her feet, stretching a bit to loosen her tight muscles.
Jung stood in the doorway, watching her with alert brown eyes, his bony tail thumping eagerly against the door panel.
He wanted out and his master was dead to the world. Tess figured she could do the honors and then spend a few minutes whipping up a hearty breakfast for Ryan. It was the least she could do considering how good hed been to her.
She tiptoed downstairs and walked out through to the kitchen. Jung followed close on her heels, nearly tripping her more than once. As she unlatched the patio door and slid the screen door open, he made urgent little noises in the back of his throat. When the door was open, he bounded out, taking off for the far end of the yard.
Tess opened the refrigerator door and studied the eggs-and-bacon situation. She yawned. Maybe a quick shower would wake her up enough to do the job right. Shuffling back down the hall, she headed for the upstairs bathroom.
But as she neared the front of the house, someone knocked on the door.
She froze. Another knock, more insistent this time, hit the door. Tess took a steadying breath and stepped closer to the door. Her hand hovered over the knob. Should she open it?
She rested her hand on the knob and it twisted beneath her fingers. She snatched her hand back as if burned. Someone was trying to get in.
Through the frosted glass bracketing the front door, she could see shadowy figures shift and move. There was more than one person standing on the front stoop.
She chewed her bottom lip. What now?
Another knock.
A hand and then a face pressed against the window. Someone was trying to peer inside. Tess flattened herself against the wall, holding her breath.
The shadow disappeared.
Theyve got to be here, a deep voice said, filtering through the front door. The doctors car is in the driveway.
Maybe theyre out back and cant hear the bell, someone else said, this voice sounding vaguely familiar. Tess was sure that it was Chief Coles voice.
Crouching down, she crept to the front window. She opened the drapes a slit. Two men stepped off the front stoop. A third man stood on the walkway.
As shed thought, one was Chief Cole. The second man, totally bald and wearing an expensive suit, was the one closest to the door. But it was the third man who attracted Tesss closest scrutiny. He wore a military uniform and stood back from the other two. Every button and star gleamed in the sunlight, and he held his body at rigid attention, his cool gaze narrow and intense.
A whisper of fear brushed the back of Tesss neck and goose bumps pebbled both her arms. She had no idea who he was, but something told her he was a threat. Her fingers tightened on the edge of the drape, and she fought back a black wave of dizziness.
As she watched, the three men started across the lawn, headed for the back of the house. Two other men stepped into view, following close behind. They were younger and bigger than the other three. They wore white T-shirts with a logo over the front pocket and white pants belted at their thick waistlines. Tess knew they were the trained gorillas-the ones along to make sure she cooperated.
Before rounding the corner of the house, the military man paused and said something to the two trained gorillas. They nodded and headed back for the car.
Good. That meant they werent coming around to the back with the other three. Fewer people for her to deal with. Tess turned and raced for the back door. Shed left it open. She needed to lock it.
Her stocking feet skidded on the linoleum floor, and as she scrambled for balance, saw the side gate start to open. Too late! She ducked behind the counter. Reaching up, she cracked open the pantry door and slipped inside, closing the door after her. It was dark inside. Dark and crowded. She pushed her way to the back, holding her breath.
Two seconds later, someone pounded on the patio door.
Hello in there! Chief Cole shouted.
Tess sank into the farthest corner of the closet, clutching her arms around her legs and struggling to quiet her breathing. How long before they gave up and left? How long before she was safe?
RYAN SAT UP with a start. He glanced around, slightly disorientated. What the hell was he doing sitting in the spare bedroom?
The taste in his mouth and the stiffness in his joints told him that hed fallen asleep in the chair. A quick glance at the bed confirmed his worst fears. It was empty, meaning hed either slept through a second abduction attempt or Tess had taken off.
He doubted it was the first scenario. From what hed witnessed last night, Tess wasnt about to go anywhere with anyone peacefully. More likely she got it in her head to take off on her own.
Shed been amazingly calm and coolheaded during the abduction attempt. But when the cops and the paramedics came, shed been spooked and angry, almost sullen when answering their questions.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Someone was pounding on the back door.
Jumping up, Ryan ran down the stairs. He could hear Jung adding to the racket by barking and howling interchangeably. Maybe Tess had locked herself out.
Entering the kitchen, he saw three men standing under the shade of the awning at his back door. Two he recognized-Sidney Bloom and Chief Cole. The other man was dressed in an immaculately creased army uniform with three silver stars gleaming on the perfectly braced epaulets on his shoulders.
Ryan slid open the door, not missing the fact that it was already unlocked. Had Tess really walked out?
Sorry to bother you, Ryan, Bloom said. But I needed to talk to you and I saw the car parked out front. I knew you were here.
Ryan got the impression that Bloom was nervous, on edge.
We had a little excitement here last night, and I ended up falling asleep in the chair. Ryan glanced around the kitchen. No sign of Tess. It didnt even look as though shed eaten. No coffee in the pot or dishes in the sink. A knot of concern settled into the pit of his stomach.
We were wondering if we could speak to your guest, Bloom said. The young woman, Tess. Shes still here, isnt she?
Guess youve kept abreast of who comes and goes at the house, huh, Sidney? Ryan opened the door wider and stepped aside. Why not come inside, its cooler.
Jung scooted around all three men and ran right for the pantry door. His butt hit the floor and he lifted a paw to scratch the wood panel. He whined pitifully.
Ryan ignored him and waved the three men into his kitchen. They entered, looking tense. Ill at ease.
I dont have all day, the general said, his impatience obvious.
Of course not. Blooms gaze darted to Ryan. Ryan, this is General Flynn. He waved a hand in Ryans direction. Dr. Donovan joined our staff a few weeks ago.
They exchanged brief handshakes, the generals flint-colored eyes seeming to sear into Ryan, a blatant attempt to intimidate. Ryan didnt bite, and he put a little extra squeeze into his handshake.
Its a pleasure, Doctor.
Likewise. But Ryan knew that whatever pleasure the general was referring to had nothing to do with meeting him. The man seethed with impatience. What exactly did you want to talk with Tess about?
Private business, Flynn snapped. But if you must know, Im here to take her home.
Take her home?
General Flynn is Tesss father. Hes been worried about her since she disappeared several days ago. There was no missing the slight tinge of nervousness in Blooms voice.
Tess mentioned that her father was dead, Ryan said slowly. She still has huge gaps in her memory, but she was pretty clear that her father was dead.
Bloom and Flynn exchanged glances.
Thats part of her delusions, Flynn said. Where is she, Doctor? I need to know shes safe.
Im sorry, shes not here. When I got up this morning, she was gone.
From the other side of the kitchen, Jungs whine got louder.
Whats wrong with the damn dog? Chief Cole asked.
Ryan moved over to the pantry. His treats are in there. Hes just reminding me that I havent given him one of his treats.
Chief Cole grunted, making it obvious what he thought of dog owners who spoiled their pets with doggie biscuits.
Ryan opened the pantry door and grabbed the box of treats sitting on the middle shelf. As he stepped back, something red caught his eye. He frowned and peered deeper into the closet. What the hell?
Crouched down in the farthest corner of the closet, between a twenty-pound bag of potatoes and a canister of dog chow, sat Tess. He opened his mouth, but she quickly put a finger to her lips and shook her head. Her message was clear.
Perplexed, Ryan slipped the box under one arm and closed the door. Jung didnt move from his position in front of the pantry door. Doggie treats had definitely lost their appeal. He whined again, drawing the final note out like a true hound in distress.
Come, Jung, Ryan ordered, shaking the box.
Jung glanced over at him, his brown eyes seeming to say Back off, buddy. Ive got a wicked game of hide-and-seek going here and youre ruining it.
Ryan reached over and grabbed the Labs collar. He had to practically drag Jung across the kitchen floor to the back door. The Labs toenails skidded across the floor as Ryan pushed him out the door. He threw two biscuits out onto the patio and then slid the door closed.
Have a seat, gentlemen.
Normally he would have invited them all into the living room, but something told him that Tess wanted to hear what they had to say. Hell, he was curious, as well. He had no idea why Tess was cowering in the back of his pantry, frightened of the men who had entered his house. But he was smart enough to know that there had to be a good reason for her fear.
He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a pitcher of iced tea, setting on the table. Whats this all about?
The generals daughter disappeared. Hes been concerned about her whereabouts and when he heard she was here in Half Moon, he came to pick her up.
How did he know she was here? Ryan leveled a glance in the generals direction. The man stared coolly back, a thin line of anger bracketing his lips. An uncomfortable chill slid up the middle of Ryans back. This was a man who was used to getting his way, and he was positioning himself to get that now.