Turn Back Time (The Full Circle Series Book 1) by Annette Anders (best books to read for knowledge .TXT) 📕

to me as if the asshat who’s keeping him is more in control than the cops. And speaking of police! What the hell are they doing? Are they just standing there doing nothing? Why haven’t they gone in and flushed the guy out?”

“I’ve been doing some reading about the catacombs. The tunnel system is so vast, people have gone missing in there, and even sending search dogs doesn’t guarantee they’ll be found in time,” Alexander said.

“I can’t stand this.” Naomi was close to tears. She smacked her hand on the table. “This waiting is driving me bonkers. I have to do something. I think I need to go to the entrance of the catacombs and see the place for myself.”

“I can’t imagine they’ll let anybody near it,” Stella said.

“Oh, I’m sure the entrance is guarded like the National Archives right now. But still...”

“Don’t get in their way, and don’t give up hope.” Stella leaned over and gave her a hug. “Revan is tough. He’s never been the victim of a crime, but he’s been in some pretty scary situations and always keeps a cool head.”

“I hope you’re right. But what if something happens to him?” Naomi’s voice shook, and Stella had no answer for her friend.

Shortly before seven o’clock, a reporter’s familiar face showed up on the TV screen, and Alexander asked the owner to adjust the monitor and turn up the volume.

“This is Leo Wu, and with me is Commissaire Charles Rousseau of the Police Judicaire. We received word of a change in the hostage situation. What can you tell us?”

“Both female hostages, Dr. Marianne Caron and Dr. Claudine Bisset, were released today.” Rousseau was a man in his sixties with close-cropped gray hair. He looked exhausted and not thrilled with being interviewed.

“Why did the kidnapper let the two women go?” Leo asked.

“Dr. Caron developed serious health concerns. According to the IGC, she had no preexisting conditions, or she wouldn’t have had clearance to enter the caves. But either the prolonged exposure to the limestone or the combination of the humid climate and low temperatures caused her distress.” Rousseau spoke English with a heavy accent.

“What’s the issue with limestone?” Leo interrupted.

“The existence of limestone made those quarries the perfect place to deposit corpses in the eighteenth century, when the city’s cemeteries were overflowing, because it masks the stench of disposing bodies. Limestone is an alkaline product and contact with skin can result in abrasions ranging from mild irritation to bad burns, and if the dust is inhaled or swallowed, it can cause severe respiratory problems.”

“When did Dr. Caron start having trouble?”

“Yesterday. Dr. Bisset said the kidnapper at first believed Dr. Caron playacted when she developed breathing issues, but he realized today the situation was worse than he assumed and decided to let them go. He escorted the two women a short distance and then told them to keep walking without looking back.”

“What about Mr. Forrester? Why didn’t he leave with the women? What’s his condition?”

“According to Dr. Bisset, Mr. Forrester appeared to be in good health when they left. He was kept bound on his wrists and ankles with duct tape most of the time. When the kidnapper left with the women, he chained Mr. Forrester to stone columns or pipes.”

“What a scumbag!” Naomi cried out. “To leave him all by himself!”

Leo continued, “Were the women able to give more information about where they were held?”

“For Mr. Forrester’s safety, I can’t comment. I assure you we’re doing everything we can.” Rousseau attempted a smile but didn’t quite manage one.

Or maybe it’s just a twitch because he’s annoyed by Leo’s questions, Stella thought.

“A source told us the kidnapper sent a note with the women in which he wrote ‘Don’t try to find us. Remember 2008.’ What does that mean?” Leo asked.

“No comment.”

“Come on, give me something.”

“I’ve told you what I’m at liberty to divulge at this point. We still have an active hostage situation and will not risk anything that might threaten the safety of Mr. Forrester.” Rousseau looked around and nodded to someone out of the camera’s view.

Naomi jumped up and walked around the table until she stood in front of the TV. “You were a little prick when you interviewed Kai, and you’re still the same little prick. Get it, Leo? They only tell you what they wanna tell you.”

She sat back down with a sigh, and Julia put her arm around her shoulders.

“Were the two women able to tell you how they survived without food or water for almost three days?” Leo didn’t give up.

“Dr. Bisset confirmed they had access to bottled water and some food,” Rousseau said.

“Where are the women now?”

“Both will be monitored overnight at a hospital.”

“One more question, Commissaire Rousseau. How far would the police be in their investigation if Mr. Olders and his friends hadn’t discovered this situation on Monday?” Leo challenged the policeman.

“No comment,” Rousseau said with a bite in his voice and exchanged hand signals with someone.

“Thank you, Commissaire Rousseau.” The reporter smiled into the camera, “This is Leo Wu, live from Paris, where the two female hostages were freed this afternoon.”

“He’s unbearable,” Naomi said. She looked at Alexander, then David. “This morning, we watched a replay of his interview with Kai, and this Leo clown doesn’t care one bit about what’s really going on, it’s all about him.”

“With the women out, we might hear more about Revan soon,” Stella said.

Naomi shook her head. “They’ll go ’round and ’round about the two women. Which I understand, don’t get me wrong. I’m glad they’re out of there.”

David asked, “Who’s this Kai? You’ve mentioned him a few times.”

“The man Leo referred to, Mr. Olders. He stayed at the same hotel as we did last weekend, and we had drinks together. This is all a weird coincidence,” Stella explained.

“Now I understand Naomi’s reactions earlier, when she got so mad during the interview,” David said.

Naomi looked at Julia and Stella. “I think I’ll take a taxi back to the hotel. It’s been a long day,