Searching for Secrets by Elaine Orr Read Free Book Online Page A

she hadn't loaded too much on it. She quickly deleted all the files and was unscrewing it in when Kirk pounded on the door.
    "Now, Christa!" His rage permeated her apartment.
    She pulled her own hard drive out of the computer and wrapped it in the colorful map. There was no time to put the kidnapper's drive back into her computer case, so she gently inserted it in the top drawer of her desk and closed it. She didn't need Brandy investigating the new object on the desk.
    She almost flew down her small hallway and flung open the door, directly meeting Kirk Reynolds' eyes. His voice was choked. "What could have been so important...?" He couldn't finish his own sentence.
    "I wanted to see if I could figure out what they wanted so badly."
    "The only thing that matters is Amy," he said as he took the steps to the landing two at a time.
    Christa hurried after him. She agreed. She simply wanted to be certain they had an inkling of what was so valuable. If the kidnappers didn't appear with their petite captive, the extra file might provide some clues. Or, it might not.
    Kirk unlocked the passenger door to Frances' car and didn't wait to shut it as Christa slid into the seat. She leaned over and unlocked his door before he had a chance to insert the key in the lock. "Thanks," he said, gruffly.
    "What's the plan?" she asked as he sped down the long driveway toward Highway 6.
    "When we get about three blocks from the park, I'll get out. You drive on in and park near the covered area with the picnic tables." He glanced in the rear view mirror.
    "You worried about being followed?" she asked.
    "Only a little. I figure they didn't plan to take Amy, so they aren't real organized."
    Christa could envision the entrance to Crandic Park and the small grouping of picnic tables. They were at the edge of the small parking lot, and she thought there was a public phone near the tables. Behind the tables was the river, and across from the small park were pricey houses nestled among many trees. That would be a good hiding place, but getting there from the park would entail running across a fairly open area and across Rocky Shore Drive. It seemed the site the kidnappers picked was awfully visible. But, maybe that was part of their plan. They could certainly see any police who were nearby.
    "Why did they pick that location, do you suppose?" she asked.
    Kirk took his eyes from the road long enough to give her a look that Christa thought said she was an idiot. "I wouldn't know."
    His curt response quieted her voice, but her mind raced. There was no way the kidnappers would walk into such an open place with Amy. Perhaps they intended just to grab her bag with the hard drives and make a dash for a get-away car. Or maybe they would have a boat on the river. But, that didn't make sense either.
    She started to voice her fears to Kirk, but changed her mind. He blamed her, she could tell. She hadn't asked to be a target of burglars, and couldn't imagine why they wanted her computers so badly. Nor had she been the one to suggest that he and Amy go to the school this morning. But, this wasn't about blame. Or guilt. It was about Amy.
    Kirk slowed the car and pulled over to the curb. Wordlessly he got out and Christa slid over to the driver's seat. He held open the car door as he spoke. "I have people in the park, playing Frisbee. There will be several other joggers on the road nearby, and they'll be cops, too. I'll be on the side street across from the park, in a van. It has sound equipment that should pick up your voices. Whatever you do, don't go with them."
    "They may not be so polite about it, you know," Christa said.
    As usual, she had irritated him. "Look..." His expression softened somewhat. "You'll have to use your best judgment if they're pointing a gun at you. All I'm saying is you're a lot safer in plain view than you are if they get you in a car." He looked away and then back at her. "I don't want anything to happen to you, either."
    With that, he slammed