فصل 30

Chapter 30: Hot Dawg Bail Bonds

Officer Ridley groaned out as he woke on the couch we had laid him on. He looked at me. “What did you do to me?” “I did what I do. I shocked you. You gave me no choice.” “Could you have electrocuted me?”

I nodded. “If I had to.”

He was quiet again.

“That was really stupid,” Gervaso said. “Use your head, Officer. You’re wasting valuable time.” “He’s right, Dad, we don’t have much time. You have to trust me. If you don’t get Mom out of jail, the Elgen will kill her. You can’t let that happen.” Her voice cracked. “And you’ll lose me again too.” “Trust me,” Gervaso said to Taylor. “The Elgen will kill your father, too.” Taylor took her father’s hand. “These are my friends, Dad. They’ve saved my life. You have to trust them. You have to trust me. You just have to.” He was quiet as he thought for a moment; then he said, “Read my mind again.” Suddenly a pleasant smile crossed her face.

“What do you see?” he asked softly.

“A memory. I was a little girl. You’re reading me a bedtime story. Love You Forever.” “That was our story,” Mr. Ridley said.

Taylor nodded. Then her expression changed. She let out a small gasp; then she began to cry.

“You really can read my mind, can’t you?” he said.

“What is it?” I asked.

Mr. Ridley turned to me. “When Taylor was four, she fell into the water at Boise Creek Falls. I dove in and saved her.” “You’ve always been there for me,” Taylor said. “Please, don’t let me down now. I need your help to save Mom.” He looked at her for a moment, then took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Everything’s been so crazy lately, I don’t know what to believe.” He breathed out slowly. “But who should I believe over my daughter?” I looked at Taylor. “Is he telling the truth?” She looked at me. “Yes.”

“What do I need to do?” Mr. Ridley asked.

“There’s a bail bondsman on Cole Street,” Gervaso said.

“Hot Dawg Bail Bonds,” Mr. Ridley said.

“That’s the one. Go there first thing in the morning and talk to Troy. He already has all your paperwork complete. He’ll help you post bail. I’m sure you’re familiar with the procedure.” “Of course.”

“You’ll have to go out the back and take our car.” “Why?”

“Because you’re being watched.”

Mr. Ridley looked surprised. “By whom?” “By your own police,” Gervaso said. “There are undercover police on both ends of the street. I’m surprised you didn’t notice them.” Mr. Ridley looked upset. “So am I.”

“One of them had an Elgen manual,” Gervaso said. “They might be part of the system.” “That’s not possible.”

“Trust me, everything’s possible. And nothing’s what it seems to be.” “Including my daughter,” Mr. Ridley said.

“Officer Ridley,” Gervaso said, “timing is critical. You must be at the bail bond office by six forty-five. Troy will be opening early for you. Then come back to the house. At eight forty-five you’ll take your car to the jail and wait for your wife to be released at nine o’clock. Everything will need to happen quickly. The moment you post bail, the Elgen will know. They’ll be waiting for you when your wife steps out of the jail. You’ll both be in danger. That’s where we step in. Tomorrow morning I’ll tell you the rest of the plan.” Mr. Ridley looked at us solemnly. “Whatever you say.” He put his arm around Taylor and pulled her close. “Whatever it takes to protect my family.” “You can count on us to do the same,” Gervaso said. “Now, I’m sure you’d like to spend some time with your daughter, so we’ll leave you alone. We have some things to do to prepare for tomorrow.” He turned to Ian and me. “Let’s go. I need your help getting some things out of the car.” As we started to go, Mr. Ridley said, “Just a moment.” We all turned back.

“Thank you for bringing my daughter back. Especially you, Michael.” “It was my pleasure,” I said.

“Good night,” Gervaso said. “And don’t stay up too late. You’re going to need your rest.”