Read Captive Justice: A Private Investigator Mystery Series (A Jake & Annie Lincoln Thriller Book 4) for Free Online Page B

pushed it toward the doctor. “Would you like to count it?”
    “That won’t be necessary.”
    Jake saw the doctor’s mind was elsewhere, surely on thoughts of his wife. “Maybe we should,” he said.
    The manager nodded. “As you wish.” He loosened the drawstring and bundles of fifty-dollar bills fell out as he tipped the bag, each wrapped in a paper band, the band stamped by the Commerce Bank. “There’s twenty packets here, each containing one hundred fifties.” One bundle at a time, he removed the paper band and ran the stack through a mechanical bill counter.
    The count was correct.
    The manager slipped a paper from his top drawer and flipped it around. “I’ll need you to sign for the cash.” He handed the doctor an expensive looking pen.
    The doctor leaned forward, signed an illegible scrawl at the bottom of the page and sat back again.
    Jake tossed the bundles back into the money bag, flipped open the briefcase, dropped the bag inside and snapped the case closed.
    The manager seemed to be eyeing him suspiciously. “It’s rather a large sum of cash to be carrying around,” he said. It sounded more like a question.
    Jake ignored the hint. “Yes, it is.”
    “Are you making a large purchase?”
    “Something like that.”
    The manager persisted, addressing the doctor. “In the future, perhaps a cashier’s check would do just as well as cash.”
    The doctor was in no condition emotionally to deal with nosey individuals, so Jake took the initiative to speak on his behalf. “Cash will do fine,” he said.
    The banker gave Jake another dubious look.
    “Perhaps in the future,” Jake added. “If this is too much of a problem for you, Dr. Gould would do better to take his accounts elsewhere.”
    The manager cleared his throat. “I was only trying to be helpful.” He smiled at the doctor. “We’re happy to serve you, Dr. Gould, and we’re always ready to take care of your financial needs.”
    The doctor smiled weakly.
    The banker smiled back. “Would you like an account balance, doctor?”
    “That won’t be necessary,” Dr. Gould replied.
    The banker stood and offered his hand. “Thanks for doing business with us.”
    Dr. Gould stood, shook hands and thanked the banker. Jake grabbed the briefcase and followed the doctor from the office. They made their way back to the car, where Jake set the briefcase on the floor of the back seat, climbed in and started the engine.
    During the drive back to the Gould residence, Jake chanced a couple of glances toward the doctor who seemed lost in thought as he stared out the windshield.
    Finally the doctor spoke. “Mr. Lincoln, kidnappers usually ask for much larger sums of money. More like a million dollars or so. Why only one hundred thousand dollars?”
    Jake shook his head. “I don’t know. Perhaps he asked for what he assumed would be readily available. A larger amount might have taken more time to put together.”
    The doctor agreed.
    Jake continued, “Or perhaps he assumed, with a smaller amount, you would be less likely to call the police.”
    “I’m still having second thoughts about involving them,” Dr. Gould said.
    Jake swung into the left lane and pulled onto the street where the Gould house was. “I’m sure they’ll be careful not to put your wife in any danger.”
    The doctor turned to Jake. “Mr. Lincoln, I assume you know your job is to deliver the money and not to apprehend the kidnapper.”
    “That’s my plan exactly.” Jake pulled the vehicle into the driveway, got out and retrieved the briefcase.
    Inside the house, Dr. Gould locked the front door. “I have a safe in the office. I can put the bag in there for now, or would it be better if you took it with you?”
    “I think it’s best to keep it here until it’s needed,” Jake said. He didn’t want to be responsible for it until it came time for the delivery.
    Dr. Gould nodded and picked up the case. Jake waited in the foyer until the doctor returned.
    “It’ll be safe