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“Because whoever hired these terrorists wants your technology They don’t want your daughter In their minds, Lauren is just a means to an end”

“After which, what? What would stop the her?”

“The fear of a huge international investigation Right now, this extortion/kidnapping is under wraps But if a hter wasabout it? All hell would break loose Their entire purpose would be compromised, and their identities threatened to be exposed Trust ets them what they want and actually reassures thes up, ensure you have a secure log-in link that only you and they will have access to”

“Oh, Vance,” Susan said, tears gathering in her eyes “If we could speak to Lauren, see her, know she’s all right—it wouldto me”

“And to ain, I’ll put my trust in you I’ll make that demand”

Aidan turned to Susan “I’m sorry, Susan, but this has to be just Vance and Lauren The kidnappers believe you know nothing about what’s going on We have to keep it that way”

Her face fell as she struggled with the fact that Aidan was right “I understand” she agreed at last, in a small, shaky voice

“Vance, to ensure Lauren’s safety, no stupid questions,” Aidan warned “No asking Lauren about her surroundings, her kidnappers, or her whereabouts These aniht not be rocket scientists but they’re not idiots Subtlety is key here You’ll want to ask her if she’s unhar treated well All those things are nors”

“Agreed,” Vance replied

“Also, don’t be upset if she sees”

“You think they’ll drug her?” Susan asked, alarmed

Aidan shook his head “They realize you’d pick up on that What

I’ is that she’sfor a week, with no access to the world and no sense of tiht seem out of it Don’t let that alaroal”

Vance rubbed his jaw “I sense you’re going so our minds at ease”

“I aions often produce foods that are specific to that region If we could zero in on one of those foods, it could narrow things down considerably I want you to tell Lauren hoorried you are about whether she’s eating healthfully I want you to insist that she tell you what she’s eaten each day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner It’s a natural request from a nervous dad With a ion she’s in The kidnappers probably won’t even notice it, and if they do, they’d never think of it as a clue You’re supposedly acting alone, a terrified father, not a connoisseur of regional cuisine or a member of international law enforcement”