"Does he have Keen?" Haynes asked immediately.<fnc2e7> The rightful source is find?novel</fnc2e7>


    "We can''t confirm it yet," Benson replied. "The security cameras along the route from the amusement park have all been destroyed. We can''t track their movements. Whoever did this nned it well in advance."


    "Keep digging," Haynes ordered. "Report to me the second you have anything."


    After hanging up, Haynes made several more calls to coordinate his own search efforts.


    By now, darkness hadpletely fallen, the clock on the wall ticking past midnight. Yet the room remained tense, sleep the furthest thing from anyone''s mind. Every light in the Williams Mansion was on, casting a stark glow against the night.


    It was destined to be a sleepless night.


    Since they still hadn''t confirmed who was behind the kidnapping, no one spoke. Time ticked by, second by agonizing second, as they all waited for news.


    The oppressive silence was finally broken by the ringing of Ste''s phone. She nced at the screen, her expression hardening.


    The caller ID was blocked.


    Ste answered, putting the call on speaker. "Hello? Who''s speaking?"


    Gibson''s voice, aged and tinged with madness, crackled through the phone. "Ms. Cameron. It''s been a while. You seem to be doing quite well for yourself, while I''ve been run into the ground like a dog."


    Not only had Gibson''spany copsed, but he had also been relentlessly hunted by assassins. He was convinced Ste was behind it all, trying to eliminate him for good. By now, his hatred for her was bone-deep. His son was dead because of her, and hispany and family were in ruins Left with no other options, he had resorted to a desperate gambit. If he was going down, he was taking everyone with him.


    "Was it you?" Ste asked, her voice steady. "Did you kidnap Keen?"


    "That''s right," Gibson said, then let out a chilling cackle. "Here, little boy, say something to your mommy, just so she knows I''m not lying."


    A momentter, Keen''s whimpering voice filled the room. "Mommy... Daddy...e save me! This man is scary..."


    Gibson quickly took the phone back. "So, Ms. Cameron, do you believe me now?"


    "Name your price," Ste said. "What will it take for you to release him?"


    "You people have a saying, don''t


    you? ''A debt for a debt," Gibson said.


    "My son died because of you, but


    you weren''t the one who pulled the


    trigger a life for a An eye for an eye life it''s only fair. Hand over your


    bodyguard, and I''ll let your son go.


    Ste went quiet for a few seconds, not answering immediately. Because the call


    was on speaker, both Haynes and Foreman turned to look at her, their eyes questioning.


    But Gibson caught her hesitation.


    "Heh heh heh," he rasped. "Don''t tell me. Is that pretty boy more important to you than your own son? You might be unwilling to trade him, but what about your ex-husband? I hear the O''Brien family has been grooming the boy to be their heir. If anything were to happen to him, your ex would hate you for the rest of his life, wouldn''t he? And your father, Skyler... I hear he''s quite fond of the boy, too. What do you think he''d do in his rage? Disown you, perhaps?"


    "When is the exchange?" Ste asked.


    Sensing her internal struggle, Gibsonughed. "I''ll give you three days to think it


    over. If you don''t hand him over in three days... your son dies."