It's My Life

Chapter 35. Confined and alone

The following morning people all over were waking early. Shanthe and Leira were at the embassy, and by half past seven they were seated in the conference room with the ambassador and some guards. Cora was back at the lab, and Tom was at the Silvers'.
"Explain it to us, Ambassador, who is this man holding our sister?" Shanthe asked. Andreas rubbed his eyes.
"His name is Vance Ashton, in his late fifties, probably sixties, and a businessman. Only appeared about twenty-five years ago. He has no history whatsoever prior to then. We believe he may be a Mer, but we can't feel him. If he's in a house he built, either he's perfected the art of blocking, or he's stumbled upon some product that blocks us. It would explain that scream." Andreas said.
"She had a chance, she took it. I doubt he was able to ignore that, but she got her message out. We know he has her." Leira said. Shanthe nodded.
"Any word from the men at the laboratory? I hate working with those piranhas, but they know stuff that we don't about this Vance guy. May even have his home address." Shanthe said.
"We need to stay calm, brother.  We need to find out why he's doing this, what he expects in exchange for her." Leira said, looking at him. He sighed.
"You're right. I just want to protect our baby sister." He said.
"I'm sure we'll find out. He won't stay hidden for long, I have no doubt. We have to wait for negotiations or demands." Andreas said.

Cora was in Jones's office early, and he watched her.
"Any word from the embassy?" Jones asked. Cora sipped a cup of coffee.
"No, not yet. We are waiting for ransom demands, or any demands really, to state why he did this. It's baffling." Cora replied, her guard standing near the door. Jones frowned. He had no ideas as to why Vance Ashton had taken Cass. Brad and Shields walked in.
"I have two addresses that he could be at, but we found transactions for a new building, at least materials for a two-story house. Not sure why if he already has two houses." Brad said, putting some papers on the desk. Jones picked them up and read them, then handed them to Cora.
"We need to find this house. Get your people to stake out his properties, track his car, anything." Shields said, looking at Cora. she sent a private message to Andreas, giving the street addresses so he could arrange a static at the houses. 
"Maybe we can find out where they were building, the materials." Brad said. Jones nodded.
"Do whatever you can. But not here. He may still be able to see what we're doing." Jones said.
"I've sent all this to Andreas and the Prince and Princess, hopefully we can fix this fast, get her back."  Cora said. Jones looked up at her from his desk.
"Good.  Tell me if we can do anything else." Jones said. Cora sighed and nodded. At the embassy information was passed around and plans made in person. If Vance was a Mer, they had to assume he could hear them all. Someone would watch Vance's homes around the clock, and stay in contact only by phone. The first two guards headed to the different homes.

I woke early, I thought it was anyway, and sat up slowly. I felt dry, but I wasn't surprised. That small pitcher of salty water wasn't enough to refresh me. I stood up and opened my door, moving onto the landing. It was dark out here too, no windows, so I turned on some lights and ran my fingers through my hair. There were no toiletries in the small bathroom, and I wondered if my captor would listen to me and provide a brush and hair ties, but as I pondered it, I knew it wouldn't happen. This man hated me too much. The door at the bottom of the stairs opened a crack.
"Into your room, Cassandra." I heard, and moved slowly into the bedroom, shutting the door behind me. I moved to the bed, and a minute later the door was opened again and Vance entered with a guard.
"Good morning." Vance said. I looked at the guard, and then down.
"I don't see what's so good about it." I said sullenly. Vance chuckled.
"Definitely got your father's spirit. You are a burst of sunshine." He said. I lifted my head, glaring at him.
"Sunshine needs light, and air. You have denied me both. I may be a ray of sunshine now, but wait a few days, and you'll see just how much you have smothered that ray." I said coldly. Vance kept smiling.
"I look forward to it. But I come bearing gifts, not that you deserve them." Vance said. I looked at him, seeing the food in one hand, a large duffel in the other. I looked up at him.
"Thanks, I guess. Never let it be said I'm not polite." I said. He put the duffel on the bed and held the plate of toast and butter out to me. I looked at it, and then took it.
"Thanks, again." I said. He watched me as I stood there, his close scrutiny making me nervous.
"In honesty I don't want to hurt you. You are of my kind, but if you want to blame anyone, blame your parents and ancestors. It is because of them that you're here. Eat up and I'll be back in an hour to take you downstairs." Vance said. I frowned, but he and the guard left, though Vance turned to me before shutting the door.
"For your reference, it's now 8:05 in the morning." He added, and then closed the door. I stood there staring at the door for a moment, then moved over to the bed and ate the toast and butter, chewing carefully. I couldn't taste anything out of the ordinary, and finally finished it. I put the tray down and pulled the duffel to me, opening it and looking at the contents. I found a hairbrush, toiletries, a clock radio, a swimsuit, a dress and other clothes. No shoes, but there was nowhere to walk to. I plugged the radio in, set the time, and played music as I changed into the bathing suit and dress, ready for a swim. It wasn't much, but it was something at least. It felt heavenly to run the brush through my hair.