Meaghan slowly crawled out of unconsciousness, forcing her eyes open. Her body refused to obey her commands, and as she became more aware, she realized one of the reasons why. She was lying on a curved cushion on her left side, her arms and legs shackled.Carefully glancing around, all she could see was blank white walls that appeared to be made of Fiberglas. A low humming and the slight movement of the room made Meaghan think she was on a boat of some type.
She winced as she tried to move to a more comfortable position, which caught the eye of someone.
"Oh, good, you"re awake, perempuan."
[A/N: "woman" used in a derogatory way]
She looked down near her feet where an older woman was leaning back in a chair, near a tiny desk bolted to the cabin floor. The woman had white hair pulled into a high ponytail, and was dressed in blue urban camouflage pants and a black t-shirt. She straightened up and walked the few steps to Meaghan, menace in every step; her right hand casually rested on a shiny black sidearm on her right hip, and a sheathed knife was tied off around her left leg.
Meaghan swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry, but she licked her lips and attempted to talk. Her voice came out hoa.r.s.e.
"Why am I here?"
The answer was succinct and threatening, and she choked back her fear.
"Bait".
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It had been hours since Rickie"s world was turned over. Throughout Malaysia, the celebration of King Harijadi Agong was concluded, but Rickie could care less what happened to mark his monarch"s birthday. He raked his hand through his hair and tried to focus on the displays in front of him. But the picture of his Meggie, chained and unconscious in that video phone call, made Rickie feel like he was losing his mind. Raine was there to lend a steadying hand, but it was a close thing.
"Don"t worry. We"ll find her."
"It"s already been too long, and we haven"t found anything. Nor have we heard again from the b.i.t.c.h that took her. She could be anywhere!"
He felt his frustration rise in proportion to his terror, and his hand fisted so hard his nails were digging into his palm. He wanted to punch something, anything to help with the impotent anger and helplessness he felt. The rest of the task force was there: Shilah, Jennifer, Annie, and Maya; but since there was little information, they could only provide emotional support.
Rickie"s cell phone rang, and he swiftly answered it.
"Rickie?" Hillary"s voice was m.u.f.fled by the sound of wind, "I"m on my way there. JoAnne called me about what happened, and I want to look at the video feed and see what I can do to help. I"m bringing my big guns."
Rickie felt a trickle of grat.i.tude cut through the ice around his heart. Hope kindled inside him, when he thought about his friends and comrades in arms and their a.s.sistance.
"Terima kasih, Hil. Thank you so much. Please hurry." After disconnecting, he told Raine, who approved of Hillary"s a.s.sistance as well.
"I think it"s a good idea to have her involved; we need different eyes on this. Also," Raine snapped her fingers, "I"ll contact Cynthia and see if she"s seen anyone lurking around the office or following Meaghan. We"re going to find her, don"t worry."
Rickie just hoped Meaghan would be okay when they found her.