Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [60]
“I thought you'd be reasonable,” he said smugly. “Now, let's get going. My car is parked in the driveway out front. I see there's a path that circles the house. We won't need to go back inside.”
“I need to change,” she said quickly, “and I'll have to get some things for Randy.” If she could see Mrs. Haskins, perhaps she could signal her in some way, she thought desperately.
Chadeaux shook his head. “Do you think I'm stupid?” he asked arrogantly. He casually gazed at her lilac slacks and white sun top. “You're okay as you are, and I can buy anything the kid needs on the way. I'm not about to let you be tempted to make a dumb move, and start shouting for help. Now, get the kid before I lose my temper.” He released her arm with a little shove. “Move!”
Brenna backed slowly away from him, rubbing her bruised wrist and thinking frantically, trying to see a way out of this horror that would pose no danger to Randy. Chadeaux was a weak, self-indulgent man but in this case he had the desperate viciousness of a cornered rat. She had no doubt that Chadeaux meant what he said when he threatened Randy. She knew from experience how callously cruel he could be.
“Shall I do it myself?” Chadeaux asked with soft menace. “If you force me to, I won't be as gentle with him as you will.”
“No, please,” she said, alarmed. She walked over to the sand-box and lifted the protesting baby, cuddling him protectively.
“Good,” Chadeaux said grimly. “Now, keep on being a smart girl, and we'll get along fine.”
His hand beneath her elbow, he propelled her quickly across the terrace and down the stone walkway that encircled the house.
Brenna searched wildly for some sign of the gardener or Bob, her driver, but neither were in evidence. When they reached the red Buick rental car, she was forced to admit to herself that if she were going to get out of this dangerous predicament, she could not rely on outside help. She must find some way to save Randy herself.
They were a few miles out of Twin Pines, approaching the highway when Brenna made an attempt to reason with Chadeaux for the last time. “You do realize this is kidnapping?” she asked quietly. “You could go to jail for a long time. If you'll just let us go, I promise I'll forget all about it.”
“How generous,” Chadeaux jeered scornfully. “As it happens, I won't need your generosity. After I get what I want, I will let you go and you won't dare go to the police.”
They had reached the highway now and, to her surprise, he didn't turn south toward the California border, but north.
“We're not going to Chadeaux Park?” she asked with some trepidation. She had been hoping she could appeal to the more reasonable members of the Chadeaux family.
“Randy and I will be going there later,” Chadeaux said. “Right now, we're headed toward Portland. I want to be close to the airport, so that I can get a plane immediately.” He shot her a mocking glance. “After you prove how cooperative you can be.”
Brenna shook her head. “I'll never let you have Randy,” she said quietly.
“We'll see, little sister,” he said softly. “We'll see.”
It was almost twilight, and they had reached the outskirts of Portland, when Chadeaux suddenly pulled off the highway. A blue neon sign blinking on and off announced their arrival at the Pinetree Motel. Chadeaux drew up before the small office with a lighted vacancy sign in the large glass picture window.
It was a singularly unimpressive establishment, Brenna noticed drearily. The U-shaped motel units were constructed of gray brick and cedar. Green shutters framed the windows of each individual unit, and the faded and peeling paint gave the motel a generally seedy air.
“This will have to do,” Chadeaux said briefly. He reached for Randy who had been lulled to sleep by the motion of the car. “I'll just take the kid in with me when I register. I don't think you'll have any bright ideas about taking off while I have him.”
Chadeaux returned to the car in a short time, and drove to the far end of the court to a unit with a large brass number seven on the