Beverly Barton: Grace Under Fire

"Whatever happens…" She glanced around the room. One by one, Elsa and the Dundee agents made hasty exists, leaving Grace and Jed alone. "Whatever happens, I want you to know that the time we've had together has been wonderful. You've brought me back to life, given me a reason to-"

He kissed her with all the passion and frustration he felt. And she gave herself over to the moment, pushing aside her fear. Please, dear God, help us. I don't want to die. Iwant to live. I want a chance for a new life… with Jed.

Two hours later Elsa drove her Honda Civic to the Garland Industries warehouse and parked out front as she'd been told to do by the mystery voice over the phone. Grace adjusted her blouse and glanced down at the cameo attached to the gold necklace the FBI agent had brought to Sheffield Media and placed around her neck.

"There's a small homing device inside the cameo," Special Agent Taylor had explained.

"We'll be able to track you as long as you're wearing the necklace."

Elsa turned to Grace. "I'll never be able to thank you enough for doing this. You're risking your life for Troy."

Grace patted Elsa's hand where she clutched the steering wheel. "Jed and the Dundee agents aren't going to let us get hurt. And don't forget that the FBI knows what's happening and they're going to arrest Booth Fortier today. To add to all his other crimes, they'll now be able to prove that he was behind Troy 's kidnapping."

Elsa took a deep breath. "If only Troy hadn't gotten himself involved with these people, this wouldn't be happening."

"No time for worrying about all that," Grace said. "Now, come on. We're to go to the door over there-" Grace glanced in the direction "-and knock once, then they'll let us in."

Elsa nodded. "He said that they have Troy here and will make the exchange as soon as we arrive."

"Then let's get this over with."

Grace opened the passenger door, got out and waited for Elsa. They walked down the sidewalk and to the front door of the Garland Industries warehouse. Elsa knocked once. The door opened. They went inside the dark, dank, cavernous building, but didn't see anyone, not even whoever had unlocked the door for them. Grace's heartbeat thundered in her ears. Be brave. Show no fear, she told herself.

"You did a very good job, Ms. Leone," a man's voice said, but still they could see no one. "By now, Ms. Beaumont, you must know that your assistant has led you into a trap."

"What's going on here?" Grace asked. "Who are you? Elsa said Troy was in trouble and asked me to come here with her to get him. Where is Troy Leone?"

" Troy is safe," the voice replied. "For now."

Elsa called loudly, "You promised me that if I delivered Grace, you'd free Troy."

"Free Troy?" Grace went into her astonished act. "What do you mean, free Troy? What's going on here?"

"You may leave now, Ms. Leone. Your brother will be returned to you safely in a few hours."

"No, that wasn't the deal," Elsa said, the nervous strain in her voice all too real.

"I demand to know what's going on?" Grace planted her hands on her hips.

"Unless you want to die with Ms. Beaumont, then I suggest you leave, Ms. Leone."

"Die?" Grace gasped, then turned to Elsa and slapped her. "You ungrateful little bitch! After all I've done for you, you hand me over to-whoever you are, you're working for Booth Fortier, aren't you?" Grace stumbled around in the eerily dark building as she searched for the source of the voice; then she whirled around and glowered at Elsa. "Go ahead and leave. Do it now, unless you're having second thoughts and are willing to die with me."

Go, damn it, Elsa. Leave while you stillcan. Grace issued the silent warning. She didn't want Elsa to try to do anything heroic. If Troy Leone was still alive, these people could hardly let him go, not if he could identify them later. Elsa knew, as Grace did, that Troy 's only hope was being rescued when Grace was rescued. Hopefully, they were holding Troy here at the warehouse. Otherwise… Grace didn't want to think of the alternative.

"I want my brother!" Elsa held up her hand in a tight fist.

"Leave now and we'll send him to you. If you stay, you and he will both die with Ms. Beaumont."

Elsa spun around and hurried to the door. Once Elsa was outside, Grace sighed with relief. But before she could say a prayer of thanks, a tall, hawk-nosed man came from out of the shadows; a short, stocky man, with an acne-scarred face followed him. Instinctively Grace began backing up. Hawk-nose grabbed her by the arm. She thought about protesting, but knew it would be futile. Are they planning on killing me now? Grace wondered. Or will they wait for Booth Fortier to come and watch?

The man dragged her into motion, taking her through the warehouse, as the stocky guy guided their way with a flashlight. When they reached the rear entrance, Grace balked, realizing they were going to take her away. But where?

"Strip," Hawk-nose said.

"What?"

"Strip down to your slip," he told her.

"I'll do no such thing."

"Either you do it or I'll do it for you."

Reluctantly Grace removed her jacket, blouse and skirt, leaving her body covered by a beige silk slip. The cameo rested on her bosom, atop the heavy lace adorning the bodice of her slip. Oh, Jed, please be close by. I'm being as brave as I can be, but I don't know for how long. I'm scared. I'm really, really scared.

"The shoes, too," he told her.

She took off her leather pumps.

"All your jewelry."

"Why can't I keep on my-"

He ripped the necklace off her and threw it on the ground. "Want me to take off your earrings, too?"

Grace quickly divested herself of her earrings, watch and heavy gold bangle bracelet. The stocky guy opened the back door. Hawk-nose lifted Grace off her feet, tossed her over his shoulder, carried her outside and down to the loading dock. Within minutes Grace realized their intent. They placed her in a speedboat, tied her hands behind her back, gagged her with a foul-smelling rag and while Hawk-nose sat beside her, the other one started the boat's motor.

How would Jed ever find her now? The homing device was back at the warehouse, and she was being taken away to only God knew where.

Jed and Rafe slipped into the warehouse, a silent, deadly operation to rescue Grace-and Troy Leone, if the boy was still alive. With the precision of trained soldiers, they moved about inside the dark cavern, searching for any sign of life. After a thorough survey of the entire place, they ended up with two flunkies who'd been left behind as guards to protect the illegal contents of the building. With both men tied up and left for the Feds, Jed and Rafe made their way to the doors that opened onto the loading dock at the back of the warehouse.

Jed spotted the pile of clothing lying just inside the door. He reached down and grasped Grace's blouse in his hand. "God damn it! They made her strip out of her clothes."

Rafe pointed to several shiny gold objects on the sidewalk, a few feet outside the door. "That looks like Grace's jewelry, including the cameo Special Agent Taylor gave her."

"That means she's not wearing the homing device." Anger and frustration surged through Jed. And fear. Fear like nothing he'd ever known in his life. Not even in battle. "They're taking her to Booth."

"You can't be sure-"

"I'm sure. Booth enjoys playing games. He'll want to toy with Grace first." Jed balled his hands into tight fists, the thought of Grace in Booth's hands unbearable to him.

"Don't go off half-cocked," Rafe said. "We'll find her. I'll call in Moran now and-"

"If we don't find her soon, it'll be too late." Jed stormed off toward the river, mumbling to himself. "I knew this wouldn't work. I tried to tell them. I begged her not to go through with it. But would they listen? No! Would she listen? Damn it, Grace, don't you dare die. Do you hear me? Don't you dare die!"