Page 83 of Lethal Game

When Jason arrived at the hospital, Savannah, Flynn, and Stephanie were in a conference room in the security offices. Stephanie’s face was a mix of apology and guilt, but he didn't care about her apology. He was ready to rip someone apart, and she was at the top of the list.

"Why were you here, and why were you talking to Alisa?" he demanded.

"I was looking for you. I left you a message. You didn't answer. I needed to talk to you, Jason. I thought you might be here."

"How do you know anything about Alisa? Why would you assume I was here?"

"Because I heard about Alisa's father and what was happening with her family from my CI. But I didn't ask her to go anywhere. She wanted to have coffee with me. We weren't going to leave the hospital."

"That's bullshit."

"It's not," she said hotly. "It's the truth."

"The guard confirmed that Alisa asked Stephanie to go to the cafeteria with her," Flynn interjected.

He shot Flynn a dark look, then turned back to Stephanie. "Why would she ask you to go with her?"

"She wanted to know what I knew, and I was curious about what she might tell me. There was no plan. All we did was get in the elevator. The next thing I knew, I woke up on the floor and there was security around me."

Her story made sense. It was backed up by the guard, but he still didn't like it. "I told you to stay out of this."

"Well, I'm in it now," Stephanie shot back. "And I should have been from the beginning."

"Jason, step outside with me," Flynn said.

He followed Flynn out of the conference room. "There's something off with her."

"Her story checks out. I not only spoke to the guard; I also talked to Alisa's mother. She encouraged her daughter to go tothe cafeteria, and now she is feeling tremendously guilty about that. She said Alisa needed a break." He paused. "I know you're feeling all kinds of rage right now, but Stephanie isn't our problem."

"You're right. Novikov has Alisa," he said tightly. "Her father must have been balking. He needed to give him incentive."

"Then we find Novikov, we find her. Let's go back to the office and regroup."

"I want to speak to her mother first. I'll meet you there." He jogged down the hall and took the elevator to the sixth floor. When he entered Pamela Hunt's room, he was shocked to see her standing by the edge of her bed, hanging onto the railing. As she swayed, he rushed forward.

"Hang on," he said. "I've got you."

She leaned against him. "I thought I would be stronger. I need to get out of here. I need to find my daughter. Alisa is gone, Jason."

He saw the fear in her eyes. "I'm going to find her."

"It's my fault."

"You need to sit down," he said, helping her onto the bed.

"I told her to go," Pamela said, wringing her hands together. "Alisa was pacing around this room, and she was so frustrated and tired; I made her leave. I sent her into danger. Please, tell me she's going to be all right."

He wanted to tell her what she wanted to hear, but he couldn't. "I will do everything I can to find her and bring her back. I promise you that. I care about your daughter."

"She cares about you, too. I don't know what's been going on, but she trusts you. Don't let her down."

A chill ran through him. "I won't," he said, but he was afraid he already had.

"You must wake up, Alisa," her father said. "Before they come back."

"Before who comes back?" she murmured, her eyes feeling so heavy she didn't think she could open them.

"Everyone."