Chapter 98: Chapter 98

RUBY.

Now I understand why professionals are discouraged from working on a case they are involved with. You have all these emotions that don't serve you in any way, all they do is get in the way of rational thinking and hinder others from doing their jobs. After my display at the mall, I couldn't help but beat myself up. If I had just stayed calm and involved the authorities immediately then maybe I would have gone home with my baby boy and not empty-handed. All the energy I spent going berserk on Clara or running frantically around the store would have been used to keep myself calm so people could do their jobs and not waste precious time chasing me.

"You should get some sleep," Toby said from the door of Jeremy's nursery where I had laid on the floor. How could he say something like that at a time like this? Did he even care?

"Slow down Ruby," I whispered to myself. I was going from zero to a hundred again so I shut my eyes and counted to five. One, of course, he cared. Two, if he didn't then why would he drop everything to come in search of Jeremy? Three, he hasn't sat down since he left work, he's been in the study since we got back, making calls and keeping an eye on things. Four and five, I finished counting in my head. I opened my eyes to see him gazing down at me in worry.

"I've been saying you should eat something and then head to bed," he said.

"How can you think of sleep or food at a time like this?" I asked in an accusing manner, sitting up and crossing my arms.

"I'm trying to be logical here, we can't search for our son from a hospital bed. We need food in our belly and a few hours of sleep to keep going."

"Okay," I said, all the energy had drained out of me, and I couldn't argue with him. He stood up and I followed him to the kitchen where he warmed something up and I took about five bites. Chewing and swallowing but none of the taste or textures registered. Then we proceeded to bed where I tossed and turned all night, now and then I'd glare at Toby who was sleeping deeply. I was trying not to be hysterical or I would have woken him up. I'm not saying he shouldn't sleep but he should have the decency to not sleep so deeply and peacefully. His son was out there somewhere under God knows what condition, would Jeremy even be able to sleep yet his father couldn't even be restless in his sleep? Men.

It had been almost twenty-four hours since I'd seen Jeremy, yet there was no news. I anxiously paced the length and breadth of the master's bedroom. Toby left the house not too long ago to monitor the situation. Sounded like nonsense to me, he probably left the house because he was sick of my pacing and lamenting. He had been communicating with the private investigator and the police but like I said I'm sure he left the house to take a breather from me. I wish I could take a breather from myself too.

If the motive for the kidnapping was for ransom then shouldn't the kidnappers have called by now? I just hope my baby wasn't in the hand of some serial killer or psychopath. I can't keep thinking like this, I need to hope for the best.

The best would probably be that he was taken by a crazy parent who lost a child and saw him as a replacement, at least that way, he would be taken care of. My phone ringing brought me out of my dreary thoughts, it was an unknown. I picked it up quickly in hopes that there was good news.

"Hello, who is this?"

"I thought we were friends but you don't have my number."

"Yasmin?"

"Yes darling," she answered, confirming her identity.

"What do you want?"

"I'm at your gate, tell the security to let me in," she said.

"Why would I do that?" Yasmin was the last person I wanted to see amidst all this drama, all she ever did was cause trouble.

"I have some information you would love to hear but I could go if that's what you want," she said. What information could she possibly have? I couldn't risk losing out on it if the information had anything to do with Jeremy.

"I'll call them right now, they'll let you through," I said then I cut the call. I was about to step out of the room when I realised I was still in my pyjamas and it was almost afternoon. I grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, not like it was any better than pyjamas, I wore them any more to meet Yasmin looking as gorgeous and well groomed, as usual, sitting pretty in one of the main living rooms.

"Hey friend," she said with a huge smile and a hug. I kept my hands to myself as she hugged me to herself. I couldn't even bring myself to hug her back, since when did we become friends?

"Can I hear the information you have for me now?"

"I can see you're not in the mood for a little chit-chat, straight to business but first let's go somewhere more private," she said. I surprised both of us when I led her to a smaller family room without a single argument. I closed the door behind us after she stepped in and folded my arms across my chest waiting for her to start talking.

"Your son is alive and well," she said.

"How do you know he is missing?" Excitement already began to well up within me.

She looked around the room and then stepped closer to me, searching my pockets and my body. When she was satisfied with her search she stepped back and said, "I have your son."

"You mean you kidnapped him," I said, anger welling up inside me.

"Watch it smart mouth or you will never see him again."

"How much do you want?"

"I have money, what I want is for you to sign those divorce papers."

"What divorce papers?"

"So Toby didn't tell you?" She laughed. "He had divorce papers prepared weeks ago. He's even signed them already, it's just waiting for you to sign."

"I don't believe you," I said. She pulled out her phone and showed me a picture of the documents. I snatched the phone from her and studied the file. They were our divorce papers and he had indeed signed them but something wasn't right. He must have changed his mind as he told me or he would have given the papers to me.

"You have two days to find them and sign them. It is either you leave Toby or kiss your son bye."

There had to be a better option, I could involve Toby and the police and they would get my son back.

"If a soul hears a word of our discussion, I'll ship your son off to some third-world country before anyone can get to me or him. The outcome is in your hands," she said before walking out.