Revenge is Sweet (A Samantha Church Mystery) by Betta Ferrendelli Read Free Book Online

arrive.
    “You’re probably right,” Nick said.
    Another extended silence, which Nick broke by saying, “ Shit ,” in a long drawn out sigh. “People are kidnapped for three reasons; money, headlines or they want…”
    “Revenge,” Sam said, finishing his sentence. “That’s what it is, Nick. Whenever I think of the story we broke about the drug smuggling operation, I cringe. That’s what it is and it really scares me. These people don’t give a shit about money, they already have money and they certainly don’t want any publicity. They’re out for revenge. That’s all it is. Pure and simple. You remember what Wilson told the staff right after the drug story hit the newsstands.”
    Nick nodded knowingly. “Yeah, he said ‘we put some very ruthless, evil people out of business today.’”
    Nick’s comment threw both of them into another long silence. A knock at the door made Sam jump. David Best poked his head in the office. If he was surprised to see Sam, he didn’t show it. He nodded quickly at her and then looked at Nick.
    “My nine o’clock interview’s here. You wanted to sit in on the meeting.”
    “Yeah, right,” Nick said, glancing at his watch. “They’re ten minutes early. Let ’em wait in the lobby. I’ll be done here in a few minutes.”
    David nodded and closed the door. Nick leaned against the tall back of his chair and rested his elbows on the arms. For once he actually pushed his glasses up on his nose and folded his hands and studied Sam over the top of them. The jelly filling was still in place at the corner of his mustache.
    “What the hell are we going to do?” he asked.
    “Nothing,” Sam said. “Until we hear from them.”
    “I don’t know why they let you go instead of Wilson. You’re the one who wouldn’t quit your investigation, even after all those threats. How many did you get after all? You’re the one who wrote the story. You’re the one who should be punished. Wilson has done nothing for you, but try to help you.”
    Nick’s comments were par and what Sam had expected from him. Still, she could not help feeling a stab of resentment. His lack of remorse. True. There was no love lost between them. It was the last thing Sam would have done had he been in her situation.
    “I suspect I’ll hear from them very soon,” Sam said and got up to leave. “I asked Anne to keep this quiet at least until we get our first contact from them. Maybe then we’ll have a better idea how to proceed.”
    “You’re right,” Nick said and glanced down at the calendar on his desk. “Wilson’s supposed to be back to work a week from today.”
    He looked at Sam over the rim of his glasses, which had slipped back down to their usual spot at the tip of his nose. Her lips were set in a thin straight line, as if to expect the worst from him. Nick did not disappoint.
    “Don’t screw things up now, Sam,” he said. “Let me know as soon as you hear anything.”
    “Right,” Sam said, sarcasm all over her face. “As if I wouldn’t.” She put her hand on the doorknob, but hesitated before opening it. She turned around and looked at Nick. She wanted to say ‘use your napkin,’ but thought better of it.
    She opened the door and left t he office without another word.

Seven
     
    Wilson didn’t know how long he had been alone since he had last seen Sam. His watch was gone, and the minutes and hours seemed to merge into one, into nothingness.
    Sam had still been unconscious when the kidnappers came for them. Wilson knew they were going to be moved when the door opened and he saw one of the three men, the white one with the thick beard—Fuzz Face as Wilson now thought of him—holding rope and a hood. The twins stood at the door, watching, their faces impassive, their hands clasped in front of them. The smell of their leather jackets was thick in the room.
    “Get in the chair,” Fuzz Face ordered Wilson.
    With effort Wilson lifted his big frame away from the wall and got to his