Read Ransom for Free Online Page B

decision, Taylor let go of Hahn. The smaller man staggered, turned around, and slumped down onto the edge of the sidewalk. He sat with his head down, openly weeping now.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Taylor demanded.
    â€œJessica . . . Loozy . . . they’re gone.”
    â€œGone. What the hell d’you mean ‘gone’?”
    If Hahn’s blurted comment had not been so serious, Taylor might have laughed at the little man. Hahn, usually so impeccable in appearance, was sitting on the sidewalk of Thom‘s Valley’s main street, head in his hands and eyes red and puffy and running tears, necktie askew and one point of his batwing collar crumpled and pointing off to the side. The man made a ludicrous sight. But if Jessie and Loozy really were gone . . .
    Taylor knelt in front of the devastated financier and shook his shoulder. Getting no response, he shook Hahn again. Hard.
    Hahn looked up and glared at him. “You took them, damn you. That’s what the note said. Now where are they?”
    â€œNote. What the hell are you talking about, asshole? I didn’t write any note to anybody.”
    â€œYou can call me whatever you like. I don’t care. But surely Jessica did not go willingly with you. What did you do, threaten to harm Loozy if she didn’t do what you said? That would be just like you, you ape. All muscle andno brain, that’s you. Jessica is bound to hate you after this, you know. You can’t force her to love you.”
    Taylor held a hand up to stop the flow of Hahn’s accusation. “Whoa there, shit for brains. Back up a little. What note are you talking about?”
    â€œWhy, the note you left in the house. Your note.”
    â€œI already told you, damn it, I didn’t leave no damned note, not in your house nor anyplace else.”
    Hahn straightened his tie and tugged at the bottom of his coat, trying to get himself back in order. “You really didn’t? No note?”
    Taylor shook his head.
    â€œThen . . . who did? Who took my girls?”
    â€œLook, let’s get something straight. Those aren’t your girls. They’re mine and don’t you be forgetting it. Mine, wedded and bedded and forever. But back t’ the original point, I didn’t take them anyplace and I didn’t leave no note neither. What does the note say exactly?”
    â€œI . . . I don’t know.”
    â€œSomebody took your, uh, lady friend and her daughter and left you a note and you didn’t bother to read it? Jeez, Hahn, you’re even more of a dumb shit than I thought.”
    â€œI did so read it. That is, I . . . glanced at it. Sort of. I saw that it said something about taking Jessica and Loozy and I, um, knew it had to be you that took them. So I came . . . came looking for you.” Hahn peered down toward his toes, looking about as miserable as Taylor had ever seen a human person be.
    â€œAll right, damn it, I think what you and me need t’ do is to look at that note. D’you have it with you? Did you put it in your pocket?”
    Hahn shook his head. “I left it . . . I think I dropped it when I ran out of the house. It must still be there.”
    â€œThen that’s where you and me are going now.”
    â€œYou aren’t going anywhere with me, you big ox. You aren’t wanted. Understand? You are not welcome in my house.” Hahn looked like he was ready to aim another punch at Taylor.
    â€œTough shit. Welcome or not, I’m coming, Hahn, unless you’re big enough an’ strong enough to keep me away.” Taylor stood and reaching out took hold of Hahn’s arm. He pulled the smaller man to his feet and turned him to face toward his house on the side of town opposite John Taylor’s. “Let’s go, damn you.” Taylor started marching in that direction. Richard Hahn had little choice but to go along. Either that or be dragged, for he was much easier to mug than a