"Kidnapped? Really?" Erica muttered.


    "It''s got to be fake," Randy replied. "This is Seamar City. Who would dare kidnap Debra right under Marion''s nose? Unless they have a death wish."


    Erica nodded thoughtfully. "You''re right."


    But then she realized something was off. "Wait. You left out Robert, that desperado who doesn''t care about consequences. Debra went out to meet Theda."


    "Damn! How could I forget him?" Randy panicked. "What do we do? I''ll gather people and head to Buchan Mansion."


    "We''re running out of time," Erica said urgently. "Hurry up and call Marion."


    She whipped out her phone and started making calls. Randy started rallying people too.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Gand and Liza had justnded and were eagerly entering the Potter Mansion with their luggage in tow.


    "Guys, I am back!" Gandughed, hands on his hips.


    Liza tilted her head. "Where is everyone? Why isn''t anyone here to wee us?"


    "Yeah. Why is the living room empty?" Gand wondered.


    Suddenly, two figures rushed past them.


    "Did you see that? Someone just ran by."


    "I think so. What''s going on?"


    "Who knows?"


    ...


    As night fell, Marion and his men surrounded Buchan Mansion. His men searched


    the house but found no one.


    "Sir, we''ve searched the entire ce. There''s no one here."


    "What about the basement?"


    "Empty."


    Marion''s expression darkened. His


    men braced themselves, knowing


    hadn''t been this furious in a time.


    he


    "Search every inch of Seamar City," Marion ordered. "Turn the city upside down if you have to. Find Robert."


    His men quickly headed toward the outskirts of the city.


    The logic was simple. If Robert didn''t want to be noticed, he would likely hide in the less popted areas. If the Buchan Mansion was empty, the suburbs might hold some clues.


    Just then, Marion''s phone rang.


    He thought it might be the police with the news, but when he saw it was Drake, he rejected the call.


    Drake tried again, and Marion answered impatiently, "What do you want? Make it quick."


    "Debra isn''t answering my calls," Drakeined. "Is she trying to back out of supporting me to be the


    nent of the Nichols Group?


    Pass the phone to her."