Deception

By Kay Taylor

Nancy Forbes, a wife and middle aged mother of two is re-united with her high school sweetheart, Caleb Carter, thirty years after leaving school. The pair of them decide that a short lost few days together in New York would do them each a world of good.
Unfortunately the few days never materialized as Nancy and Caleb are kidnapped at Grand Central Station. They are taken to a grubby motel in Harlem where they are held to ransom. Lincoln Washington and his best friend Ronnie Grant had planned the entire kidnapping and both were looking forward to an early retirement with very inflated bank balances.
Things take an unexpected turn for the worse when Caleb’s company, although able to raise sufficient funds to cover the ransom demand, were unable to draw the funds from the bank due to police incompetence and the fact that the bank did not have enough cash money on hand. To compound the problem the newspapers seem to have inside information regarding inability of the bank in been able to produce the money for the ransom.
Furthermore, there appears to be a second informant in the company keeping the kidnappers informed regarding the procurement of the ransom demand and then there is the confusing interference from the police and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Unfortunately plans change and friendships dissolve with lightning speed and new plans and alliances created.
It is left to Richard Shaw, the Chief Operations Officer to find the money for the ransom and the head of Human Resources, Judy Costello, to find the leak within the company. In the process they find more than more than they bargained for and matters suddenly take a dramatic and decided twist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kay Taylor
• Release date: Mar 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9780620821537

Kay Taylor

Kay Taylor is a 46 year old married mother of two living in Zurich, Switzerland. She was born and educated in South Africa but travels on a British passport. Kay spent a number of years working in the corporate environment before deciding to opt out and start writing full time. She has written several novels but has only now, 2018, elected to publish.Travels with her husband has taken Kay all over the world and as a consequence her books are written with either an Australian or South African background. Her latest book, Deception, a romantic thriller, will be published on e-books in the second half of 2018, and the story line for this particular novel, takes place in the US of A.Kay is a very private person and for several years she wrote solely for personal pleasure. It took considerable persuasion from her family before she allowed her books to be published. Kay has emphatically refused to divulge her personal e-mail address and as a consequence, all correspondence can be channelled through her mother and secretary in South Africa. The address is as follows: [e-mail]

Book preview

Deception

A novel by: Kay Taylor

All characters and events in this book, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Other books by Kay Taylor

Only On My Terms

Times A’ Wasting

Kloof Estates

Coffee & Cognac

Deception

ISBN: 978-0-620-82153-7

Synopsis

Nancy Forbes, a wife and middle aged mother of two is re-united with her high school sweetheart, Caleb Carter, thirty years after leaving school. The pair of them decide that a short lost few days together in New York would do them each a world of good.

Unfortunately the few days never materialized as Nancy and Caleb are kidnapped at Grand Central Station. They are taken to a grubby motel in Harlem where they are held to ransom. Lincoln Washington and his best friend Ronnie Grant had planned the entire kidnapping and both were looking forward to an early retirement with very inflated bank balances.

Things took an unexpected turn for the worse when Caleb’s company, although able to raise sufficient funds to cover the ransom demand, were unable to draw the funds from the bank due to police incompetence and the fact that the bank did not have enough cash money on hand. To compound the problem the newspapers seem to have inside information regarding inability of the bank in been able to produce the money for the ransom.

Furthermore, there appears to be a second informant in the company keeping the kidnappers informed regarding the procurement of the ransom demand and then there is the confusing interference from the police and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Unfortunately plans change and friendships dissolve with lightning speed and new plans and alliances created.

It is left to Richard Shaw, the Chief Operations Officer to find the money for the ransom and the head of Human Resources, Judy Costello, to find the leak within the company. In the process they find more than more than they bargained for and matters suddenly take a dramatic and decided twist.

Thanks

Once again I wish to thank my good and trusted friend Nat Goodchild in Knysna for his input and encouragement. His skill with various computer programs and his calm and unflustered demeanor.

To my family and friends, thank you for your patience and accepting the fact that on occasion I do get distracted and tend to ignore the fact that there are other people around. My book is finished and Christmas is coming. I am looking forward to the holiday season and once again my home will be the center of a family invasion.

November 2018

Kay Taylor

Zurich

Deception

Mid February 20 - -

Several days previously Nancy Forbes casually mentioned to Alex her husband that she was going to Boston to visit her Aunt and a few school friends. Alex waved his hand in the air as he bent over his laboratory bench and carefully soldered a short length of ultrathin copper wire to some equally small plastic coated object that required all his attention. That very same day, Caleb Carter told his wife Ella, that he was going to Chicago to look at several properties and that he should be back by Sunday evening. At this time of the year Chicago was not the place to be. The winds off Lake Michigan were more than chilly and Ella would rather wear a skirt around the golf course than thick woolen underwear and overly large faux fur coat. Chicago was a big, no, no.

Tuesday 21 February 20 - - {Flying to Boston}

Nancy was looking forward to her time in New York. Caleb, she could hardly believe it, Caleb Carter was going to be there. She leant back in her seat and gazed out of the window at the white clouds that scudded beneath the aircrafts wings. She and Caleb had a past, a childhood past, but a past nevertheless. Was it a childhood past, or was it an adolescent past? No she decided, it was definitely adolescent.

It was the night of her Prom, her final year at school and she had made a pact with Caleb Carter. He was by far the handsomest looking boy in the state and he was taking her, skinny little Nancy to the Prom. After the dance they were going to Blake’s Motel. Caleb had booked a room, and Nancy, although somewhat nervous, was looking forward to holding Caleb in her arms for half the night. What was that about plans for mice and men she mused, because she and Caleb never had their night at Blake’s Motel? Hurricane Daniel saw to that. Her father fetched her from the school just before that damn hurricane arrived and the family spent the night in the cellar. The next day the house and its contents were gone. All that was left was a concrete slab and a few shards of timber. Two days later she was in California with her Mom’s brother, Uncle Joe, while Dad stayed behind to sort things out. She never heard from Caleb again even though she wrote several times. She even wrote to some of her friends who stayed behind after Hurricane Daniel but they had no idea what happened to Caleb Carter. That was until three weeks ago.

Caleb Carter and his wife Ella walked into the club and Nancy immediately felt the lust of old come surging back. She could hardly believe her eyes, after all these years there was Caleb Carter. Tall, well over six feet, and that coal black hair now had a few streaks of grey sliding back past his ears. Time had been kind to Caleb and he still looked as athletic as ever. One look at Caleb and all Nancy wanted was to complete the night of her Prom. His very presence sent her senses into wild swings of excitement and to crown it all Caleb lived close by. On that vast golf course estate, Summer Palms, where she and Alex lived, Caleb and Ella lived some two hundred yards away. Basically just across the fairway of the third hole.

It was fantastic to meet Caleb again and catch up on all those years that had flown past. Nancy refused to think of time in years but merely a time when her children were in junior school or high school or at university. For Nancy, when she looked in the mirror, time ceased its relentless pace. She still wore the same size dress she wore when she got married aged twenty one. Furthermore, thanks to that absolute genius Dr Abe Cohen and his magic scalpel, everything was now tucked up, re-enhanced and or liposuctioned away.

As for Caleb, he had done very well for himself after Hurricane Daniel. The Carter family home had also been demolished and Caleb went to live with his aunt and uncle in New York while his parents salvaged what they could. He ultimately got a job with a property developer, married the owner’s daughter and turned the business into a multi-billion dollar a year enterprise. Today was different, very different. Caleb had told his wife Ella that he was off to Chicago to have a look at several properties whereas, in actual fact he had flown to New York to meet Nancy at Grand Central Terminal.

Nancy wondered how many trysts had been conceived, hatched or dissolved beneath the four faced clock at the information booth. She had told Alex, she was going to see her aunt in Boston and spend a few days with her. She also had several high school friends in Boston and it was her turn to make the journey north from Florida. Boston was just a four hour train ride from New York. One night with Aunt Jean and then the eight o’clock train to New York. By noon on Wednesday she would be in the arms of her high school sweetheart.

Wednesday 22 February 20 - - {8.00 am New York City}

Lincoln Washington was taking it easy. He had one job today and that was to collect Mr. and Mrs. Carter from Grand Central and take them to their hotel. Unfortunately for Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Carter, once they got into the limousine, their lives would change forever. He slipped on his jacket adjusted his cap and let himself out. It was a twenty minute walk to the depot and then another twenty minute drive to Grand Central. He had lots of time. Time to consider his future. He had still not made up his mind about how to spend his share. There was always Iris to think of.

Who would have considered that Iris, a twenty year veteran librarian, a person who had labored her life away at the municipal library was capable of doing? Iris, a woman who peered at readers through thick black rimmed glasses and possessed five different outfits for the five days of the week. It was almost incomprehensible. Lincoln had come home early one afternoon, the booking had cancelled and he was looking forward to some quality time with his wife. After fifteen years of marriage they still had no children. The problem was Iris. As a child she had been shot by a stray bullet, they never found the shooter but the damage was irreparable. Iris would never be able to have children and furthermore the wound left her crippled. The bullet had damaged her left hip and as a result she always walked with a limp. The sounds from the bedroom indicated that Iris was enjoying quality time, but not quality time with him. Lincoln gently pushed the bedroom door open and peered inside. He recognised the profile of Ronnie. Ronnie Grant, his best friend, was in bed with Iris. He was about to burst open the door and confront the pair, but something held him back, something told him to go away for a few hours and think things through.

For six months Lincoln pondered his wife’s infidelity and how Ronnie always had money yet he never seemed to have a job. Unlike Ronnie, Lincoln stood as tall as his wife and Ronnie basically towered over him. A physical confrontation with Ronnie Grant was definitely out of the question but the plan had eventually come together. Ronnie drove an imported German sports car and when Lincoln questioned him about the source of his funds, Ronnie always changed the subject. That German car was one of those I like to brag type cars that set in motion envious thoughts and consequently, the beginning of the end of his relationship with Iris and Ronnie. An end that would set him free of Iris and Ronnie. They could go their way and he would go his. It was chance circumstance, an accidental meeting and suddenly everything started to fall in place.

A thought crept into his mind and in a few seconds he had mentally mapped out an idea. Every waking moment he considered his plan. He could write nothing down as he wanted to leave no record of what he planned. He marveled at his plan, it would be during the month of February, it had to be February, that’s when Iris took her annual leave and all he had to do was find the right victim. It was mid-July when Lincoln found him.

Several months previously a client hired a limousine and he was the designated driver. It was a five minute drive and in those five minutes Lincoln overheard a conversation in the back of the car. A conversation that set his mind racing to a perfect solution for an imperfect problem. A few words with his best friend Ronnie Grant and the plan immediately began to take shape.

Lincoln sat back and let Ronnie own the plan. Every now and then Lincoln made a deliberate and stupid suggestion that Ronnie immediately threw out and substituted it with a thought of his own. In the end Ronnie Grant had hatched a master plan. A plan that would net them a cool twenty million dollars, early retirement and a cottage on the beach in Hawaii. Nobody would get hurt and more importantly, nobody would get caught. He had one or two things to do before meeting up with Ronnie at Grand Central. A quick call from a phone booth to Ronnie and ask him to collect the limousine from the depot, he was not feeling well and he had to make a stop at a drug store and get something to settle his stomach.

Ronnie I’ll call the depot and met you at Grand Central. The call to the depot was just as easy and boss man was quite happy for Ronnie to do the job. Thirty minutes later Lincoln strolled into Grand Central and found Ronnie.

Where’s the car? Lincoln asked his friend.

North side in a No Parking Zone, replied his friend relived that their original plan was back on track and Lincoln had not got cold feet or something worse. Lincoln was more than happy, the car would attract a parking fine and he had nothing to do with it. He pulled his cap brim tight down over his face and turned up the collar of his jacket. He wore thin clear plastic mask to distort his features and both the moustache and goatee had been glued on in a back alley before arriving at the station. The surveillance cameras would certainly pick him up but with the distorted features, goatee and moustache he was unrecognizable.

Wednesday 22 February 20 - - {12 Noon, New York Grand Central Station}

The train from Boston arrived one minute early and Nancy, from her elevated position on the train, anxiously surveyed the crowds of people. He was nowhere to be seen and then suddenly he was there, he had had his back to her while he was talking to a uniformed man. Nancy swiftly disembarked and the uniformed man stepped forward and took her bag while she quietly surrendered into Caleb’s arms.

Follow our driver, whispered a grim faced Caleb as he grasped her elbow and steered her through the milling throng.

Nancy was puzzled and excited. Why did Caleb look so angry while she bubbled with excitement and secret anticipation? Caleb had organised a driver or was it his chauffeur? She would soon find out. The chauffeur walked swiftly down the platform and in what seemed like seconds she was been ushered towards a large black car with darkened windows parked on the curb. Nancy smiled to herself as she noticed a small piece of paper stuck under the windscreen wiper blade. Caleb had already collected a fine for picking her up at Grand Central. No sooner had she settled back in the plush leather seats when Caleb swiftly pulled her towards him and kissed her for the second time since school days. Nancy let herself go and savored the moment.

Caleb was about to whisper something when without warning the drivers’ side back door was wrenched open and a man scrambled into the car and sat down in the jump seat. Shut up, he shouted as he pulled his jacket aside and revealed the walnut and blue steeled handle of a revolver tucked into the waistband of his trousers. Nancy felt the car begin to move forward. She turned in her seat and looked desperately at Caleb.

Caleb was about to say something but the man again revealed his revolver and slid his hand onto the butt of the smooth polished firearm. Nancy recoiled in her seat, desperately trying to vanish into the cushions at her back.

Mr. and Mrs. Carter, said the man in a typical New York accent, welcome to reality. We are going on a short ride to Harlem. We have a room for you with a double bed and an en-suite bathroom.

Caleb, questioned Nancy, what is the man talking about? If this is a joke, I want no part of it.

Shut up bitch, yelled the man as a look of anger flashed across his features and he wrenched the revolver from his waistband. The weapon glinted in the subdued light and then it was gone as the man tucked the weapon back into his waistband. It was then that Nancy noticed something unusual about the additional passenger in the back of the limousine. He was wearing a clear plastic mask that distorted his features abnormally and with the additional false beard Nancy realised this to be a perfect disguise.

She cowered behind Caleb’s shoulder and tried not to cry. Tears would ruin her makeup and she was doing her best to look good for Caleb. Caleb in turn slid an arm about her shoulders and dragged her closer in an effort to comfort her. He grasped her two hands which were fluttering about her face and immediately he felt Nancy begin to calm down.

That’s much better, said the man. Now I want the pair of you to relax, enjoy the sites of New York and welcome the fact that you have been kidnapped.

Kidnapped? gasped Nancy.

Shut up you stupid bitch, yelled the man as he again fingered the walnut and blue steeled butt of his firearm. If you pay, you live. Fail to pay, you die. Nancy could not help herself as tears started to trickle down her cheeks turning her sculptured features into a black edged ruin.

Wednesday 22 February 20 - - {01.00 pm grubby motel in Harlem}

Right, said Ronnie, please sit up straight, smile at the camera and don’t move the newspaper. The camera flashed and the record was made. Mr. Carter, continued Ronnie, the photograph will be with your office within the hour. Provided your office and the insurance company co-operate you could be out of here before sunset. Caleb said nothing and continued to glare at Ronnie and Lincoln in turn. What would you like for lunch? asked Ronnie, we can offer fried chicken, burgers or pizza complete with French fries and a soda of your choice. Lincoln smiled benignly at his hostages and stood poised with a pencil held up high. Both he and Ronnie still wore their clear plastic face masks which distorted their features dramatically. Lincoln had taken one other deliberate step to change his appearance. He had inserted a wooden wedge into his left shoe. As a result he was off balance when he walked and it looked as if he had a permanent limp. Chicken and French fries it is, said Ronnie to nobody in general and left the room carrying his note book.

Nancy was extremely subdued. The revolver in Ronnie’s belt convinced her that silence was golden. He had placed both hers and Caleb’s mobile phones in the cupboard and Ronnie had not only locked the cupboard but he had also pocketed the key. Her right hand was handcuffed to Caleb’s left hand and they both lay on the bed facing the door. Ronnie had switched on the TV and surfed till he found a suitable local news channel.

Mr. Carter, said Ronnie with smirk on his distorted face, my partner and I know you have taken out an insurance policy for twenty million dollars to cover any possible ransom in the event of a kidnapping. We have taken your photograph and as we speak my partner is delivering the photograph with our note to your offices. Once the ransom has been paid we will release you and your wife.

Who did you address the note to, asked Caleb hoping it was Rich Shaw.

Mr. Richard Shaw. According to your website he is the second in charge and I’m sure he’ll know what to do. Ronnie was glad that he had taken the time to investigate Carter City Construction considering it was Lincoln who had overheard a conversation in the back of limousine.

Nancy could hardly believe her ears. These bastards, she used the strongest word she knew, had not only destroyed her weekend with Caleb but were now demanding twenty million dollars ransom. That was an enormous sum of money, and if the insurance company did not pay out would this man with the stupid plastic mask and ridiculous beard, kill them? Nancy had not seen the ransom note but she was certain their demise would be graphically detailed in the ransom note. She and Caleb had done nothing wrong other than arrive in New York together and contrive to spend a few days and nights in each other‘s company. She wondered what Alex would say if he found out where she was and who she was with. Would he divorce her? Surely not, plans and thoughts are not exactly criminal offences but then egos would be hurt and that could get her into serious trouble. Twenty million dollars was such an outrageous sum of money she was pretty certain the insurance company would try and negotiate down. She was positive they would, not because they were mean spirited, but because in their eyes, she was a nobody. She was not Mrs. Caleb Carter and therefore valueless to both the kidnappers and the insurance company. Nancy inched closer to Caleb and tried to seek a little comfort from his presence.

Wednesday 22 February 20 - - {1.00pm Grand Central Station, New York}

Lincoln speed dialed head office. Boss I can’t find the car, he said, it’s nowhere to be found. Did Ronnie say where he parked it?

"Stay