Page 130 of The List
“Come on.”
Addison remained seated, gripping the steering wheel. “You asked me to bring you here, and I did. Now, can I go?”
Jane stared back at her for a few seconds. It gave Addison a little hope, which was quickly dashed when Jane shook her head.
“Please,” she begged.
Jane sighed. “You’ll call Cross and tell him.”
Damn right, I will.
She steeled her features. “No, I won’t.”
“Of course you will. I would if I had someone protecting me, and I was just kidnapped. It’s the natural thing to do.” Jane rolled her eyes. “But I can’t let you go.”
This was crazy!
“So, what?” Addison scoffed. “You’re gonna kill me?”
Jane scowled. “Not if you get out of the car.”
Jesus!She opened the door and got out. There were two men standing at the door. It was the last place she’d expect to see doormen. Though, they seemed too nicely dressed. Jane had tucked her gun in her bag. She expected the men to question them, but they opened the doors, allowing them inside. They took the elevator to the seventh floor. Addison was already planning her escape. It was a big building. They’d have to have at least two emergency stairwells, possibly fire escapes. Unfortunately, she didn’t know where they were located.
When the doors opened, Jane waved for her to get out first. Addison scanned her surroundings. The hallway looked as dated as the exterior. The cheap carpet was multi-colored and had faded decades ago.
They walked down the long hall. Two doors down, a woman in her seventies was standing in the doorframe smoking a cigarette. She squinted with the smoke billowing around her face.
“You don’t come here unless I send for you. How hard is that to understand?” Her booming voice echoed off the walls.
Was this Inez?
She side-eyed Jane, who seemed to shrink under the scolding but continued toward the old woman. When Jane stopped a few feet away, Addison followed suit a foot behind her. This was like deja vu. Another interaction with people who seemingly knew each other in an awkward situation. Of course, this time she’d be no assistance.I have no idea what the hell is happening!
“I had no other choice, Inez.”
The woman’s nostrils flared, and she waved her hand, spreading ashes over the floor.
“You always have a fucking choice,” She snapped. “Andthiswasn’t the right one.”
“I saw one of them.” Jane’s voice was low, which seemed to silence Inez. But not for long.
“Where?”
“At the clubhouse.” Jane paused. “He must be friends with them. He said he remembered me, and that” —Jane cleared her throat— “we had a good time.”
Inez drew in a breath, showing no signs of softness, but she gave a subtle nod. As if they were having a silent conversation, they stared at one another for a minute. Addison backed up a step, and when she did, Inez jerked her gaze and glared.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Addison shrugged. “The hostage.”
Inez widened her eyes, pinning them on Jane.
“I needed a ride.” Jane said.
“So you bring a fucking stranger to my home?”
“I panicked. I needed to get out of there, and she had a car.”
