Chapter 59

• Xander On the huge flat screen on the wall in front of us are various images. One is of a blue Yaris. It is blown up. Hayley is in the front seat but she is slumped in the seat as if she’s sleeping or unconscious. In the driver’s seat is Tash, Hayley’s friend. “What’s going on here?” “This is the footage we got from cameras in and around Hayley’s work area.” “That’s Tash, Hayley’s friend. What is she doing with her? And why does my wife look unconscious. Fuck this can’t be happening.” “Yeah, Henry recognized her too. The call Haley got before she left the lab also came from a Natasha Cole's phone. The cops are bringing her in now. Also, we need to put a trace on your phone in case anyone calls with a ransom.” We drive to the police station once the police call us to tell us they have Natasha in custody. We walk straight through to the back where the interrogation rooms are. Having money and cops as friends has its perks. If I didn’t have these things, I would have to wait twenty four hours before I could even report Hayley missing. We stand behind the two way glass and watch as my friend detective Sanders starts to interview Natasha. “Miss Cole, I am detective Sanders. This is my partner, detective Shaw. Do you know why you are here?” The women looks both guilty and terrified, “No.” “You are here because you’re friend Haley Dominic is missing and you where the last person to see her.” “What are you talking about? I didn’t see her today.” “Okay, so you didn’t phone her at work today and ask her to meet you in the alley behind her workplace?” She looks at the detectives stunned as if they wouldn’t figure out that she called Haley. “I ... I did call her but I never saw her.” “So who is this with Miss Dominic in your car?... This is your car isn’t it?” asks detective Sanders as he places the blown up of picture of her with Hayley in front of her. “Look Miss Cole. You look like a decent person. Maybe something happened and things just got out of hand. I want to help you. Tell me where Miss Dominic is and why you took her,” asks detective Shaw, pulling up a seat next to Natasha. “I didn’t mean for things to get this out of hand. I don’t know how I got here. I was jealous that she got to be with Xander. She didn’t even deserve him. That’s how it started and I began helping her ex. HHe wanted her back.” My hands clench into fists at my side as I listen to her speak. I never saw this coming. I knew her ex could be involved but I never expected her friend to do this to her... and for such a dumbass reason. I don’t even know the women, how could she be jealous of Hayley being with me. This is so idiotic. “Where is Mrs Dominic now?” “I don’t know.” “Are you aware that Mrs Dominic is pregnant? If anything happens to her or her babies you could be facing some very serious charges. Right now you are only looking at accessory charges and I can make that go away if you co-operate and tell us where to find her.” “Babies, what do you mean babies? As in more than one?” she laughs hysterically “... I swear I didn’t know. I don’t know where she is. I only helped get her in the car. Keith took her. He didn’t tell me where they were going and I didn’t ask. I’m telling you everything I know, please you have to help me.” “Your car was at home when we picked you up. How did he transport Mrs Dominic?” “He hired a fancy Range Rover. I think he used his wife’s credit card. II'm sure you can check.” “If you can’t help us, I can’t help you. Your story doesn’t make sense. How does helping her ex help you? You helped commit a kidnapping just because you were jealous?” “I told you, everything just got out of hand. It was stupid. I thought her husband would notice me if she were out of the picture and Keith wanted her, so I helped him get her. I didn’t think it through. I could try and phone him and find out... just give me my phone.” The detective hands her the phone, “Put it on loudspeaker.” Natasha dials a number saved in her contacts. It rings and rings and rings but no one answers. She looks flustered. I think the reality of the situation she is in finally sinking in. “He's not answering. I don’t know why he’s not answering,” she says anxiously. “Where you planning on asking for a ransom?” She is quiet and just nods in agreement. “Eventually,” she finally murmurs. “But you don’t know where Mrs Dominic is?” “No. Keith was going to do everything. II just had to get her into the car.” Carlos’s phone rings just then. “We have the location Xander... you won’t believe where he’s taken her. Can you have the plane ready to leave right now?” “Where is she?” I ask as Henry dials our pilots number. “A four hour drive away in the middle of nowhere. A place called Hope Valley. Haley’s ring and the rental cars GPS both track to the same location.” “I just got of the phone with the pilot. He will get our flight plan passed by the time we reach the tarmac. Carlos you need to send him co-ordinates,” says Henry. My mind is focused right now. I can’t think of anything negative. I just have to concentrate on Hayley and Gran. God please keep them both safe. My phone beeps. It’s a message from Amanda. I am apprehensive as I open the message, scared for Gran. “Your Gran is still stable Xander. We are here for you and her. Be safe.” I let out a deep breathe not realising that I had been holding my breath. “Are you okay bro?” asks Kyle. “Yeah, that was Amanda letting me know Gran is still stable. “Okay. That’s good.” “I can’t believe my wife and babies are at risk because of some jealous lunatic and an ex that is already married to someone else. This is too messed up. I can’t handle this shit.” “It’s going to be okay bro... lets go bring Haley home.”