Read Online Ransom by Terri Reed - Free Book Online

milling about the historic Fort George. The fort employees were dressed in period costumes and several were leading small groups on tours.
    She’d read the brochure last night before finally falling into a dreamless sleep. As a history buff, she’d found the rich history of the fort and the surrounding area fascinating. She lifted the brochure she’d brought with her to her mouth to hide the fact she was speaking. “Did you know during the War of 1812, this fort served as the headquarters for the Centre Division of the British army?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t,” Blake responded. “I must have missed that in history class.”
    Her lips twisted. She moved to a plaque pretending to read it. “Well, considering this is a part of Canada’s history and since you’re from the South, you wouldn’t have been given this tidbit of information.”
    â€œWhat makes you think I’m from the South?”
    â€œI’ve an ear for accents. Plus, you dropped a ya’ll this morning. It was kind of hard to miss.”
    He actually chuckled in her ear.
    She was so surprised her hand loosened around the bag and she almost dropped it. “Did you just laugh?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    She pressed her lips together to keep from smiling and slipped the brochure into the bag.
    Someone brushed against her. Startled, she jumped back a step. Remembering the last time someone had bumped into her, she swung around, ready to jab her assailant in the nose.
    A short, older woman wearing a heavy coat and a hat pulled down low over her ears, allowing little tufts of dark hair to poke out, blinked at her.
    â€œMy apologies.” The woman reached out a hand to steady Liz and pressed a piece of paper in Liz’s hand before hurrying away. A note!
    Liz unfolded the paper. “That woman passed me a note that says to be at Butler’s Barracks in five minutes.” Her heart revved up. Would she find Jillian there? She dug out the fort’s brochure and consulted the map to see where the barracks were located.
    â€œSit tight, Liz,” Blake instructed. “Drew will detain that woman and see what she knows.”
    â€œIt says be there in five minutes.” She found the barracks on the map and rushed in its direction. “I’m heading there now.”
    â€œI need to get people in place over there,” he said, his voice sharp.
    â€œAnd I told you I’d do whatever is necessary to get my sister back,” she replied just as sharply. “So you’d better hurry.”
    She heard his frustrated growl but didn’t let it deter her. When she reached the barracks she skidded to a halt, scanning the few people wandering around. An older couple walked with arms linked, heads bent together. A group of school children and their chaperones gathered near a cannon on display while they listened to a fort employee no doubt explaining the use of cannon fire in the 1800s.
    No one seemed the least bit interested in her.
    A piece of paper flapping against the barracks door caught her attention. She moved swiftly to the door and read the note pinned there out loud.
    â€œLeave the necklace. Your sister will be at the hotel.”
    â€œOkay, I’ve got eyes on you,” Blake said. “Place the bag on the doorstep and head back to the entrance.”
    â€œYou’ll take me back to the hotel?” she asked, still clutching the bag.
    He sighed. “I’ll send Nathanial.”
    Something in his tone stirred a riot of apprehension in her chest. Careful to conceal her mouth with one hand, she said, “You don’t believe she’ll be there, do you?”
    â€œHonestly, no,” Blake answered. “Our best course of action is to follow whoever retrieves the bag and pray they lead us to Santini. And your sister.”
    In other words, he didn’t believe Santini would honor his word or show up. The man was a ruthless criminal, so that opinion