Dolby(32)
Author: Maryann Jordan
“I’ve just never felt so useless in my whole life.”
“I know this goes against your grain, Dolby. It would go against the grain of any of the Keepers. But you can’t do anything right now other than what the others are already working on back at the compound. And maybe, just maybe, meeting with Angela will give you something to not only do but help you feel a little bit closer to Marcia.”
He jerked his head around, surprised at what Rachel had said. He hadn’t thought of it that way, having only seen Carson feel the need to remove him from the planning as though he couldn’t offer any assistance. Considering his mind was all over the place with fear, Carson was probably right. But it hadn’t dawned on him that Carson understood that if Dolby could connect with Marcia’s only friend, it would give him more insight into what they might be dealing with.
Turning to look at the iconic woman standing in front of him, he sighed heavily. “Thank you for that, Rachel.” She reached over, and her hand squeezed his arm, her eyes full of understanding. “You’re welcome.”
Just then, the sound of a vehicle pulling in had his gaze shooting to the window. A BMW SUV parked next to him, and he observed a woman whose large sunglasses masked most of her face stepping out. He and Rachel met her as she ascended the porch steps, and the woman slid the sunglasses up on top of her head to push her hair back. He noted her red-rimmed eyes, and while her clothes were expensive, she appeared disheveled. As he was taking all this in, Rachel stepped forward with her hand extended. “Angela, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Rachel from Lighthouse Security.”
Angela nodded, her gaze darting back and forth between Rachel and Dolby before finally landing and staying on him. “Are you Jonathan?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Jonathan Dolby.” He observed Angela’s tension seep from her body.
“I’ve heard of Lighthouse Security Investigations,” Angela said, her hand gripping her purse strap as though needing to anchor herself with something tangible. “I know you keep a low profile, but I’m close friends with Senator Martinez’s wife and heard glowing things about the security system in her house and the work you did when their daughter had a stalker. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to help Marcia.” She stepped closer, an assessing gaze roaming over his face, and he had the feeling Angela missed very little. She finally nodded again. “You’re exactly the way she described you.” Swallowing deeply, she blinked the moisture that had filled her eyes. “Please, please find her and bring her home.”
“You can count on it.” Dolby’s voice must have given her the assurance she needed, and she stepped back and nodded. Glancing up at the quaint house, she smiled. “This is lovely.”
“Rachel will take you inside, show you around, and give you what you need to order any supplies that aren’t here. It will be paramount that you leave no digital trace of your location. No using your own phone, credit cards, or email. Basically, Angela, you have to think like the one kidnapped… you simply aren’t here.”
Angela’s head jerked up and down. “I understand. I can do this. I wouldn’t do anything to put Marcia in more danger than she’s already in.” She glanced up at the small but cozy cabin again. “Believe me, with all the events that have been going on, even before what happened to Marcia, I need to reevaluate who I am. How I managed to go from a woman who I thought was very strong to a woman who’s been utterly used by the man who should’ve been taking care of me.” She cocked her head to the side and peered up at Dolby again. “I know you and Marcia have only known each other a short time, so maybe I’m jumping ahead of myself. But I have a feeling about you. I have a feeling you’ll be that kind of man she deserves.”
He didn’t respond. Honestly, he wasn’t sure he had the words. He watched as she followed Rachel into the house, knowing Rachel would have everything in hand. A few minutes later, he entered as well, bringing all of the luggage from Angela’s vehicle inside. She carried most of it to the bedroom. After she came back into the living room, he made sure she was set up with a safe computer and untraceable phones and understood the security system. “Use these when we need to be in contact with you. These will leave no footprint.”
Angela pointed at a small suitcase and laptop case still sitting by the front door. “I brought the things Marcia had at my house. I thought you could take them so she’d have them once you bring her home.”
He stared at them for a few seconds, his fingers itching to open the case immediately to get a whiff of her soft vanilla scent. Clearing his throat, he said, “Thank you.”
Rachel walked in from the kitchen to say goodbye as he bent to grab Marcia’s belongings. Rachel assured Angela to call if she needed anything, but she waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about me. Just take care of my girl.”
He dipped his chin, knowing how Angela had taken care of Marcia for years, holding her secret dear and counting her as a friend. “You can count on it.”
As he and Rachel climbed into their SUV to head back to the compound, those words resounded as a vow in his head. Hell yeah. I’ll take care of my girl.
15
Dolby tried to focus but discovered his mind was too fragmented to concentrate on what the other Keepers were doing. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he growled under his breath. “What the fuck is wrong with me?” He and Rachel had returned to find the other Keepers knee-deep in the investigation. So while they’d caught him up on what they’d discovered, they had nothing to send them out into the field with yet.
“Some of us have been right where you are,” Rick said, standing nearby. “When Abbie was taken in Cairo, I wanted to kill whoever had put her in danger, yet couldn’t seem to think past the next moment.”
Dolby had been in Egypt with Rick at that time and now understood the feeling. Nodding, he sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Let us handle the intel and logistics right now. You gather your wits, find out more about your woman, and then be prepared to go in strong as soon as we’re ready.”
He nodded again at Rick’s advice and moved to the computer at his station. Pulling up the news articles again, he hesitated. A part of him hated to read about Marcia’s background, preferring her to tell him herself when she was ready to trust that he’d handle her with care. But, right now, he needed to know what he might be facing once they got to her. And we will get to her.
Taking another deep breath, he began reading. The articles ran from legitimate news sources reporting on the facts to gossip rags speculating on her captivity and subsequent family tragedies. And the more he read, the more his fingers curled into fists, and his heart pounded a rhythm that resounded in his head. And while he vowed they’d get to her, he wondered if this time she’d be destroyed.