He looked down at Jasper with the confidence of a man who always got his way. Jasper normally carried himself with a similar confidence, but something about the other mans size and desperation unsettled him.

Sure, he said, flipping through his phone. Oh look, I do have it after all.

Thats great, Jasper, Paul said. His voice was ice cold.

Jasper made the call, asking for the car to wait at the back gate. Then he turned back to Paul.

Let me point out the route. Like I said, from the back door here to the hedge maze, and the gate beyond it, is a straight shot, three hundred yards north.

I think you should take me, Jasper. Ill wear the gardener uniform to keep a low profile but you know the way. I dont want to get lost in that maze. And you know how the back gate opens better than I do. Youve got the key. It just makes sense to have you lead me there.

Jasper felt the panic rising in his throat and gulped it down hard.

But if they check the video later, theyll see me escorting a gardener around. It will look suspicious. We dont want to give them anything to work with.

Paul reached behind him and pulled something out of the back pocket of his jeans. It was a serrated steak knife, one that was kept in the dining room for easy access. Pauls smile disappeared.

I think you should take me.

Jasper held up his arms as if in surrender.

Hey, buddy, calm down. Theres no need for anything like that.

Without warning, Paul swiped at one of his raised arms, slicing across his left forearm. Jasper gasped. Looking down, he saw that blood had already started dripping down his arm to the carpet below.

He started to scream in pain but before anything came out, Paul had him pinned against the wall, his free hand clamped over his mouth, muffling the sound. Jasper struggled to get free but the other man was much bigger and stronger. For the first time in forever, Jasper Otis was afraid.

Better tie that off, Paul said. Like I said, I think you should take me.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Jessie was antsy.

It was 12:26. She and Karen were parked half a block down from the main gate of the Otis Estate, just out of view of the cameras. Behind them were two additional unmarked cars. Another block away, on a less-traveled side street, were four squad cars and a large truck that could knock the front gate over if required.

The search warrant was supposed to be approved in just over a half hour, which left her far too long to obsess. She decided to check in with Hannah to see how she was doing and sent off a quick text asking about her day so far. The answer came back fast.