Page 57 of Billion-Dollar Ransom

GORDON: It’s a possible location for where Tim Dowd could be keeping Boo Schraeder.

PENNEY: So I’m supposed to break into yet another house on another wild-goose chase?

GORDON: Not so wild. The tipster saw a man matching Dowd’s description pull into a private house in Culver City. It’s a relatively short drive from the Beverly Hills salon where Boo was taken.

PENNEY: That’s all you’ve got? What if it’s just some bored housewife listening to too many true-crime podcasts? I don’t want to roll up on some dipshit tourist who rented out the place for vacation.

GORDON: The house is owned by David Hetzel and his wife.

PENNEY: Wait, wait. I know Dave. He worked Robbery-Homicide in North Hollywood, right? Pretty sure he retired years ago.

GORDON: That’s right. And now Hetzel’s daughter is on the force.

PENNEY: Yeah, little Jenna. I haven’t seen her in forever.

GORDON: Well, little Jenna grew up and became partners with… ex–LAPD officer Tim Dowd.

PENNEY: Oh, shit.

GORDON: Yeah. Oh, shit is right.

PENNEY: Fair enough, Gordon. I’ll scramble the team. We’re on it.

GORDON: I want to know your every move.

PENNEY: I wouldn’t have it any other way.

CHAPTER 62

Thursday, 6:58 p.m.

“YOUREALLYDON’T know what you’re doing,” Boo Schraeder said with a sweet smile.

“Pretty sure I know the usual moves.”

Two couldn’t help himself—he leaned forward for another kiss. But Boo pressed an index finger against his head to halt his progress. Her smile disappeared.

“I mean it,” Boo said. “This isnothow kidnappers should behave.”

Two found himself disappointed when she removed her finger. He was liking this dominant side of her. Then again, it would be difficult for her to be fully dominant with one hand cuffed to the frame of the cot.

“See,” Two said, “I thought you’d like where this was heading. As the person who has been abducted, you should betrying hard to get close to your abductor. Get him to let his guard down. And then you’ll make your move.”

“My move?”

“Yes, your move. The one where you incapacitate me in a moment of personal weakness and make your escape.”

“This is what I’m talking about,” Boo said. “Instead of being a professional, you’re playing out a sexual fantasy. The strapping kidnapper and the helpless wife with the ridiculously wealthy older husband.”

As she spoke, Two was slowly tracing his finger along her jaw.

“How does this end in your fantasy?” she asked. “Is this just a…”

Boo eventually gave up, sighed, and even began to close her eyes… then she caught herself. She stared at him sharply for a moment as if to continue her complaints. Just as quickly, however, she seemed to relent, running her free hand up his tight chest. She surprised him by pinching his left nipple—hard—through his shirt.

Two didn’t flinch. He kind of liked it. “Isthatyour move?” he asked her.

Boo squeezed harder. “Most kidnappers are sadists, not masochists.”