His Baby Her Gift: The Slow Burn Duology 2 by LaShawn Vasser (the dot read aloud .TXT) 📕

It was on the floor between the driver and passenger seats. She had no idea how long Elaina would be gone, so she couldn’t risk trying to get to it. Instead, she glanced around to see if there was anything else she could use to cut the ties.

Harlem noticed a broken piece of metal on an exposed portion of the van wall. Before she could get to it, Harlem heard what sounded like someone putting gas in the van.

Harlem moved back to the position she had been in before Elaina got out of the van. It wasn’t a moment too soon because shortly after, Elaina opened the driver’s side door and got inside.

She glanced back at Harlem. Everything seemed to be exactly the way she left it. Elaina put the key into the ignition and started the van before pulling off from what Harlem believed was the gas station.

Harlem rolled over toward the jagged piece of metal. Fortunately, it was close enough for her not to look too far out of position.

After a few different tries and several cuts on her wrists, Harlem finally positioned herself where she could rub the zip ties against the metal. It wasn’t sharp like a knife, so it would take some work to cut through it.

Harlem didn’t know how much time she had, but she had to make the most of it.

Chapter 20

Carter was beside himself with worry. He had reviewed the police footage with Sam Meeks, an employee of his who was former CIA. “You’ve got to find her. The clock is ticking.”

“It helped to get an ID on that van. I’ve sent it to a few people who owe me a favor or two. Hopefully, we’ll hear something soon. Did you know that Elaina Robbins has had several cases of stalking, assault, and kidnapping leveled against her?”

“I had no idea.” Carter was in shock.

“Not only that, she spent a year in a mental institution.”

The guilt fell on him like a ton of bricks. “What you’re trying to say is that I brought this craziness to Harlem’s doorstep? How am I supposed to explain this to her parents?” They had arrived at the hospital and were sitting in the waiting room looking forlorn and worried.

“This isn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known.” Sam tried to reassure him.

Elijah Thomas got up and joined their conversation. “Anything yet?”

Carter shook his head. “Nothing yet.”

Dr. Sky Kirby Kneeland walked out into the waiting room towards him. “Carter?”

“Sky.”

“How is she?” Carter was genuinely worried about his mother.

“Charlotte’s in and out, but I think we’ve figured out the problem. In a lucid moment, she mentioned the possibility of being poisoned. I’ve run a few tests, and she has high traces of methyl iodide in her blood.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a poison that can be found in pesticides. It can also mimic a stroke.”

Harlem’s mom came to stand next to Carter and held his hand. He needed support. He was family, so they would give it to him.

Sky wanted to reassure Carter. “The good news is I already have your mom on a cocktail to combat it.”

“The bad news?” Carter asked.

“It’s still possible that there will be significant neurological damage.” Sky placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’m running more tests, but I won’t have definitive answers until I get the results.”

Carter folded his arms across his chest. “Thanks, Sky, for all of your help.”

“You know I’ve got you. I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will.”

“Charlotte is asking for you. You can see her but only for a few minutes.”

Carter nodded and followed Sky to Charlotte’s room. He wasn’t exactly sure how to feel. His emotions were all over the damn place. Carter had spent so much time hating Charlotte, and now she was lying in bed weak and helpless. He’d have to be heartless not to feel something.

Charlotte’s eyes remained closed, but her head turned toward the sound of the door opening. She called out to him. “Carter?”

It was hard to understand her. Carter walked over and leaned down close to Charlotte’s face. “Yes, it’s me.”

She whispered. “I’m sorry.”

Carter was close to his breaking point. “Elaina has Harlem, and I can’t find her. Is there anything you know that might help me?”

Her eyes flutter open. Charlotte struggled to speak, but she managed to eke out a few words. They were muddled and hard to understand. “Check tracking. Elaina’s car.” Saying that much seemed to take all of his mother’s strength. Her eyes closed as she slipped back into unconsciousness.

Carter left Charlotte’s room, mulling over what she’d said. He went back into the waiting room with several pairs of eyes watching him intently.

“Sam?” Carter said urgently.

“Yes.” He responded.

“I can’t wait for the police to do their job. They haven’t proven very efficient. I have to find Harlem.” He didn’t want to say that Elaina might try to kill her in front of Harlem's parents. Sam had reviewed the security footage from Harlem’s building. It put her on Harlem’s floor last night. They knew it was Elaina masquerading around as Harlem.

“Did you get any information we can use from your mother?” Sam asked.

“I think Charlotte was telling me to check the tracking on Elaina’s car. Where is it?”

“I checked about half an hour ago, and Elaina’s car was still in the driveway of her home.”

Carter was grasping at straws. “What if she dress rehearsed this? What if wherever she’s taken, Harlem is on her GPS or some sort of theft protection location device? Can you find out?”

Sam nodded. “I’ll have to break a few laws, but I can get that information.”

*****

Elaina’s neck and back were stiff.