Free Peek A Boo I See You (Emma Frost #5) by Willow Rose Page B

my opinion. It was like a pillow so they could sleep at night, wasn't it? Could that really justify killing the poor guy? I couldn't see how it could.
    I, for one, wasn't just going to sit there and watch.
    I got up from my chair and looked at the computer screen, then back at Morten.
    "What?" he asked. "You have an idea?"
    "I'm not going to just watch this man die," I said.
    "No, that's clear. None of us wants that. But what do you want to do about it? What can you do? We've tried everything, I believe."
    "Not everything," I said, determined.
    Morten tilted his head. "What do you mean we haven't tried everything?"
    "I mean there’s still one thing we can do. One thing I can do to save Anders Samuelsen."
    "I don't see what that can be. I mean, we've tried everything we can to raise the money except paying out of our own pocket…"
    I smiled.
    "No, Emma, no," Morten said.
    "Why not?"
    "Because it's a bad idea. Five hundred thousand kroner is a lot of money. It's a really bad idea. I don't think you should do that."
    "But I want to. I have the money. I've made a lot on my books lately. I really don't need it. It's perfect."
    "But, Emma…," Morten pleaded.
    "What? What's so bad about it? I'll save the guy and save Hummelgaarden from being closed. I can't lose."
    Morten exhaled. He looked to Allan for help.
    "I think it's a great idea, Emma," Allan said. "I mean, if you aren't going to miss the money, that is."
    "You wanted to renovate the house with that money, remember?" Morten said. "It's all your savings. What if you suddenly need it for something else, something really important?"
    "What can be more important than to save this guy's life right now? I'll make more money, eventually. And the house? Well, I'll just live with it as it is. So what if the roof leaks a little in the attic? I'll fix it myself. This is more important."
    "But Emma, we're not certain he’ll stop here, are we? What if he wants more money from you, where will that put us? You don't know how people like that think. As soon as they discover that they can get money out of you, they'll want more. He'll kidnap more people to get you to pay. Don't you understand that?"
    "Morten. You're a wonderful man, but you need to know when to shut up, which is now. I can't live with myself if I don't do this. The decision is made. I'll call Hummelgaarden right away and then have the bank transfer the money. I want you to call the local TV station and tell them I want to make a huge announcement. That way, the killer will know the money is in. Okay?"
    Morten scoffed with a smile. "As you wish."
     

21
    February 2014
    " W E'VE GOT THE MONEY."
    I smiled into the camera as I spoke. "I’ve just made sure it arrived at Hummelgaarden's account a few seconds ago. Hummelgaarden is saved."
    The journalist nodded and pulled the microphone back to herself. "How did you manage to pull this off so fast?" she asked.
    "Well, that doesn't matter. The important thing to focus on now is the fact that we have the money and a life will be spared."
    "Rumors say you paid the amount out of your own pocket. Is that true?" the journalist asked.
    "That's not important either," I said. "The money is in. That's all I have to say."
    "Thank you, Emma Frost."
    I thanked both of them and helped them get out the door. As soon as they were gone, I looked at the live-feed on my computer. Nothing had changed. Anders Samuelsen was still in the box. He was lying awfully still now, but I could see his chest moving up and down rapidly. He was still breathing, but only barely.
    "Why hasn't he been pulled out of the box yet?" I asked, looking first at Allan, then at Morten. "Why has nothing changed? We paid the money. I announced it on TV. He must have seen it, right? He must let the guy go!"
    Morten shrugged. "I don't know, Emma. I mean, how do we even know we can trust the guy? He is a killer, remember?"
    "Yeah, but he promised. I mean that was the deal, wasn't it?" I found the e-mail again and read it. "It