Free The Portal ~ Large Print by Christopher Allan Poe

life. I take that seriously.”
    “I know. That’s the only reason I’m going to forgive this incident. Now take my son to his room. We’re not leaving.”
    Rankin didn’t move for a second. Finally, he looked at Cody and said, “Let’s go.”
    “There’s just one more thing.” Jarod motioned to Rankin, who walked close and leaned down. “If you ever speak to me like that in front of my son again,” he said quietly. “I’ll bury you in the rose garden.”

    ***

    S tromsky parked in darkness just outside of the Carmichael estate. So far, everything had fit the plan. Jarod had just arrived. Vivian was on her way. Perfect. His cellular phone rang. He reached into his inner coat pocket and answered.
    “Mrs. Carmichael on the line,” her assistant said. “Please hold.”
    Though the man’s tone was curt, and quite rude he might add, it didn’t reflect on Charlotte. Good help was impossible to find these days.
    “Kevin, darling.” She finally came on the line. “It’s been far too long.”
    “Charlotte, your company is always worth the wait.”
    “I take it that you’ve found my grandson.”
    “He’s just arrived with his father now.”
    “I see.” Her voice was unusually even. That could only mean one thing. The difficult decision of what to do with Jarod had been made.
    “Shall I move?” he asked.
    “My son has become a bit too much like his father. A liability to the Carmichael legacy.”
    “I understand,” Stromsky said. Dispose of Jarod discreetly . “And what of Vivian?”
    “A boy shouldn’t be separated from his mother, but I fear that she’s unstable and can’t be trusted.”
    “I’ve already spoken with her this afternoon. She’ll be arriving tonight.”
    “I don’t need to tell you that appearances must be kept,” she said. “My son should never have married that woman.”
    “I understand.” A house fire would work well here, or perhaps a lovely automobile accident for the media to swoon over. Simple enough. “Your grandson will be in proper care by morning.”
    “Please call when you’re finished, Kevin. We’ll meet for tea. We must catch up.”
    “Until then, Charlotte.”



CHAPTER 15
    N ight had almost arrived when they passed mile marker fifty-seven. Erika slowed and turned off Highway 101 onto a dirt road. As they wound farther from cross traffic, Vivian grew uneasy. She wanted to avoid prying eyes, but this area seemed dangerously secluded. Still, nothing would stop her from getting Cody back tonight, and she couldn’t risk running into Jarod without some protection.
    “He should be here soon,” Erika said as they reached a clearing. Under a dark and dirty sky, a lattice of rusted beams and walkways connected three decaying silos. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
    “You do know this guy, right?”
    “Contrary to public opinion, most black folks don’t have gun pushers on speed dial. He was our only option.”
    “Sorry.” She realized how rude it sounded. “I’m just nervous.”
    “I know you’re scared for Cody. I’m terrified too, but this feels wrong. Let’s just leave.”
    “I can’t go into the estate unarmed.”
    “I’ll buy you anything you want from the store.”
    She’d already considered it, but the waiting period was out of the question.
    “I’m getting him back tonight,” Vivian said.
    “Even if you had a gun, do you really think you can just slip by Jarod’s security?”
    “If you’ve got a better idea.”
    “With that much cash, I can think of a dozen. Hire somebody.”
    “Who?” Vivian asked. “I don’t know those kinds of people, and he could always pay them more.”
    Brakes squealed behind them. To the left, a dark sedan pulled into the lot. It parked about thirty yards away.
    “We can still leave,” Erika said.
    “I can’t.” She tucked a single stack of hundreds underneath her belt. Ten thousand should cover anything she needed. “Hang here in case something goes wrong.”
    “Fine, but if we end