Deadly Stillwater by Roger Stelljes Read Free Book Online Page A

and then eventually pass out. If it goes beyond that, she could end up in a coma. That almost happened once a few years ago.”
    “So if we find her, we give her some insulin or Glucagon and that should help get her blood sugar back in line.”
    “At least until she gets medical attention. She knows what to do if she has insulin and food available.”
    “Then let’s hope they’re taking care of her,” Burton said. “I expect they will. If there is a demand for ransom, which is what we’re hoping for here, they’ll take care of her.”
    “If anything comes up, anything at all, we’ll let you know,” the chief said, “but for now, my friend, you need to try to get some sleep.” The chief added as he walked Lyman out of the library and put him in the custody of his sister, who would take him across the house to his room. Hisle was spent and exhausted. He needed to rest, although sleep would likely prove elusive.
    Once sure that Lyman was gone, Lich cleared his throat uncomfortably.
    “Are we sure Lyman is in the clear?” Mac shot Lich a look, as did a few others, but he was undeterred.
    “I’m sorry, but the question has to be asked.”
    “And it’s been answered,” the chief answered sternly. “Lyman’s clear.”
    “Burton and I put him through the paces,” Peters added.
    “For the record,” Lich replied, noting the looks from others, “I didn’t think he had anything to do with it. But I thought a prudent investigator should ask the question.”
    Mac took his chance to change topics.
    “So what do you think? Is this all about money?” he asked Burton. There was a hint of doubt in his voice.
    “That’s certainly a part of it,” Burton replied and added confidently, “And if it is, we’ll have a good shot at catching them.”
    “Because of the drop?” Lich asked.
    “Exactly,” Burton replied, “Hell, I always pray it’s about the money. If it’s about the money, the person kidnapped stands a better chance of making it. The other thing is that if it’s about the money, that gives us a good chance of catching them because they have to pick up the money. That’s when we get ’em.”
    “What are the odds on the drop?” Peters asked.
    “Overall, really good,” Burton answered confidently. “Like I said, they have to expose themselves to get the ransom, that’s when we can catch them.”
    “What about doing the money electronically?” Lich asked.
    “Nah,” Mac answered before Burton could answer, “I’d think it would be easier for the FBI to track that. Especially as good as the government has gotten on that with the war on terror.”
    “You’re mostly correct about that,” Burton answered. “Since 9/11, I haven’t had anyone try it on me that way, at least on a domestic kidnapping. If you have someone, however, who’s really good at the electronic transfer process, and moves it to countries that have been less than helpful, then it could be an issue, although in the end we’d still probably be able to track it down.”
    “We’re talking money here, aren’t we being just a little presumptuous. I mean they didn’t demand the ransom when they called,” Mac stated and then he turned to Burton. “Does that strike you as odd?”
    Burton was nonplussed. “A little. But I’m pretty confident they’ll get to it. Given how they’ve operated thus far, I sense we’re only part way into whatever it is they have planned.”
    “You’re thinking this is only about money though?” Riley pressed.
    “Not necessarily,” Burton answered. “I suspect there is a personal element to this as well. These guys aren’t crazy. What they did was well planned, well thought out. They picked Shannon Hisle for a reason, and that reason may well have something to do with her, or….”
    “Or more likely her father,” Mac finished. “Lyman has represented a lot of high-profile people and taken on a lot of high-profile cases. Somebody certainly could have it in for him.”
    “So