Chapter 274

And three hours later? Kat sat on my lap as a hotel car sped us to the airport. The ransom and release seemed suspicious to me. Either it was all so run-of-the-mill that the cops and kidnappers ran it like a carnival game, or the cops were in on it. We made the cash drop at the appointed time in a public market, and ten minutes later Kat was being whisked to the resort in a police car. That was it. It was surreal and terrifying.

I had arranged for a private jet to fly us home, damn the cost. Kat shook and sobbed, from fear and relief and total emotional and physical exhaustion. We were quiet on the ride to the airport. I held Kat close, pressing my ear to her back to listen to the soothing thump of her heartbeat. Jess held her hand. Gloria leaned on us both.

It's difficult to describe the feelings that pass over people when they've suffered trauma. We were wheels up in no time, and my heart ached watching Kat sit alone, legs tucked up to her chin, staring out t