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The screen opened, and Vance’s face appeared Seconds later, the secondopened with Lauren’s face in it, reducing Vance to a sht-hand corner of the screen The effect was one of bringing Lauren that much clearer and that much closer

Again, Lauren earing a bright sweater that was clearly meant to make her appear hale and hardy The atte, she looked more drawn, her eyes more haunted than they had yesterday In his heart, Vance knew that Lauren was not only wearing down, she was giving up

It took all his willpower not to tell her that help was on its way and that she’d soon be home with her family

Instead, he just greeted her as he had before “Hi, honey” He knew his voice sounded shaky But as Aidan had told him, the kidnappers would not only expect but welcome his fear They’d feel that much closer to victory

“Hi, Daddy” Lauren was fighting for control, for her life

“Tell ? No one has hurt you, have they?”

“I’ave him the same staccato answers that she had yesterday “I’ve eaten and I’ve slept My privacy has been respected and I’h her food intake, her activities, and her continued good health

Abruptly, she broke off, her gaze darting to her left Then, her shoulders began to shake and tears poured down her cheeks “Daddy, I have to give you ayour most trusted associates at Nano The people who have me said they’d kill me on the spot if you refuse to comply” She buried her face in her hands “Please, Daddy, don’t let them kill me”

Oh dear God

Everything inside Vance turned to ice

“Lauren, honey, don’t cry I don’t knohat they’re talking about Of course I won’t tell anyone at Nano No one even has any idea you’re , much less kidnapped” His eyes darted aro

und the screen, knowing the kidnappers were right there beside her “Whoever’s listening, please don’t hurtyour instructions I’d never risk her life I’ve told no one at NanoUSA that my child has been kidnapped No one I swear it Please…” Now Vance was the one who broke down and started to cry “I’ll get you the rest of the drawings you want Before the deadline I promise I love you, Lauren…”

The screen went blank

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