KING’S BAY METROPOLITAN INN

Jason circles the room but does not see his new wife anywhere. He stops to ask Lauren and Philip, “Have you guys seen Courtney?”

“I’m afraid not,” Philip says.

“Ladies’ room,” Lauren suggests as if it should be the most obvious answer in the world--which, now that Jason thinks about it, it is.

“You guys having fun?” Jason asks them.

He is happy to see such a broad smile on Lauren’s face. “Philip’s not much of a dancer, but yeah, I think we’re good.”

“Excuse me. My mother forced me to take ballroom dancing lessons for far too many years. It’s just that I don’t do things like the Electric Slide very well.”

“No one does the Electric Slide well,” Lauren says.

Jason feels his phone vibrating in his pocket. He would have preferred to turn the thing off and not think about it all day, but after this morning’s insanity, it seemed wise to keep it on him. He excuses himself quickly and steps away to answer it.

When he pulls the phone from his pocket, he sees that it is not a call, but a text message from an unfamiliar number. He opens it to find a picture that knocks the wind right out of him.

It is a picture of Sandy, her face contorted in terror as the butt of a gun presses against her temple.

He scans the room for Brent, but just as quickly, the phone vibrates again. This time it is a call, from the same number. He answers immediately.

“Who is this?” he says. “What do you--”

“Jason.” He recognizes the voice immediately. “If you care about Sandy, I suggest you don’t show that picture to anyone.”

He fumes, trying to gather his thoughts. “What are you doing?”

“Come up to the roof. There’s a stairwell next to the elevator bank.”

“You’re insane.”

“Meet me on the roof. And if you even think of bringing anyone with you, you’re going to be very sorry. And so will Sandy.”

The call ends abruptly. Jason looks around, wondering if anyone nearby has noticed his absolute terror. He seems to be in the clear. He does, however, locate Brent, talking with Claire. He hurries over to his brother-in-law and pulls him away.

“I need your help,” Jason says quietly. “And I need you to keep it to yourself for the time being.” They exit the restaurant and head for the stairwell.

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