Chapter 13: Part 2

Sam allowed Bill to escort him into police station. The inside wasn't too dismal, not that Sam had spent much time inside any police stations.



The ride over had been made in silence. He knew enough to say nothing. Still he had no idea why Bill Rowland had shackled him. Maybe something had happened at one of his companies. It would bite if he were accused of corporate crimes while he lived down here.



His lawyer could get him off. Everyone knew he no longer had any connection remotely relating to his businesses. They'd cut him off and done better without him. Unless the files were faked.



Bill called out. "Louis, I need to use one of your rooms."



Maybe he should call his personal solicitor. Garcia, Brand and Pennington would relish charging him hours on an assignment like this. A few hours at the courts and nights spent whining and dining the locals. He rolled his eyes at the thought of how much it would cost him.



"What's wrong Taylor, not to your liking?" Bill shut the door behind them and motioned for Sam to take a seat.



Sam stood, unwilling to submit until he knew what he was up against. "Tell me why you drug me away from Delanie and my sailboat."



"You more worried about your sailboat or Ms. Skhye?"



"Of course I'm worried about Delanie."



"Why?"



"Why don't you tell me why I'm in here first?"



"Can you tell me where you've been in the last few weeks?"



"Are you going to charge me?"



"How about we keep this nice and friendly."



Sam scoffed, "Friends don't slap handcuffs on friends. Take these off and I'll talk."



Bill's eyes stayed hard, his mouth turned down in a deep frown. For a moment Sam thought he wouldn't comply, but then everything changed. Bill lost his icy glare, his face relaxed. Obviously Bill was tired, or he was playing Sam. It would take a while to figure it out.



From years of honing his negotiating skills Sam knew this could go a couple of ways. Either Bill would be nice and congenial to build trust or he would strike fast, trying to trip Sam up.



Back in school Sam hadn't been the easiest guy to get along with. No one had to write it on the wall to relay the message to him. He'd been a little shit and he guessed Bill remembered.



The last two years on the boat had mellowed him. Sam still remembered how to access his killer business tactics but he preferred to remain laid back.



"Can I get you a cup of coffee?" Bill asked.



"No. Let's stop playing games and tell me what is going on."



"First tell me why you were with Delanie."



"She's in danger. I should have insisted you bring her with us."



Bill's face turned red for a beat and his eye twitched. Sam could tell something was off with his old school companion. He guessed that this wasn't trickery. Bill unprepared to deal with what ever situation they were in.



"Bill, whatever you think I did, I didn't."



"Four women have gone missing from beaches and resort areas. One of the women was found alive at sea."



"Oh my God, is she alright?"



"Funny you should ask. She fingered you as the abductor."



"Me?"



"Interesting that you're shocked. I'm not surprised. I just want to know how you did it and where the last woman you took is."



"I haven't taken anyone. I've been with Delanie for the last two days. Someone was on the island trying to hurt her."



"You're confusing things. That was you trying to hurt her."



Sam stood up sending his chair flying. He leaned over the table and shook his fist at Bill. "I'd no sooner hurt Delanie than a kitten. I've been sailing the Bahamas for the last few years. I found Delanie one stormy night and helped her with the house she was staying at."



"So you admit to being in the area for a while."



"Bill, I've not left the Bahamas for one full year."



"Except for that week in Florida."



"No, no exceptions. I've been on my boat in the Bahamas. Two nights I've left my boat this year were to spend the evening with Delanie. I don't know what you're trying to pin on me, but I didn't do it."



"We've got a witness."



"She's wrong. Maybe she's an ex-employee or some bitch with an axe to grind."



Bill jumped up, his pulse throbbed at his temple, "She isn't a bitch and she isn't an ex-employee."



"How are you so sure?"



"It's Amanda, the singer."



Sam sucked in air and then blew it out. It was like Bill had delivered a punch to his gut. "Amanda is an employee of sorts."



"What are you talking about?"



"A record label I own has her contract."



"Oh come on, this is ridiculous. How much stuff do you own anyways?"



"More than you."



"So you do remember?"



Sam closed his eyes and sat down. He wasn't that kid from school who tried to make Bill look bad. The games they'd played and the damage they'd inflicted on each other had been wrong.



"Bill, I'm not the same kid I was in school. I've matured a little bit. I'm not rubbing it in your face about how much I have."



"I wouldn't blame you. I did that to you for years."



"Yeah, but I was an obnoxious little shit who tried to ruin your reputation. I deserved your cut downs and anger. But I'm not lying to you now. I'll sit in here all day and talk. First get some coffee and take a break."



Bill's phone rang and he grabbed it off his belt. "I need to get this. Sit down. We'll talk."

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011