Samson nodded slowly. “And Vivian? Have you forgiven her?”

“I can’t blame her. She had nothing to live for. I wasn’t the husband she needed. I was the husband she got.” Luther sighed. “You’re a father, Samson. A good one from what I can see. I’m not like you. I could have never been the kind of father my child deserved. Vivian was right to leave me. I’m only sorry that I didn’t see it earlier and that I put you and Amaury through so much pain. I understand why you can never forgive me.”

“You want your slate wiped clean?” Samson asked.

“Yes.”

“Then help me get my daughter back safe and sound. You were always one of the best. I hope you haven’t lost any of your skills.”

38

Everybody was talking over each other, voicing their opinions on what the next plan of action should be. Katie eyed the door through which Samson and Luther had left a few minutes earlier. Were they arguing? Or even fighting? She couldn’t hear anything. The conference room was soundproof since confidential things were often discussed inside its walls.

“Hey.”

Wesley’s voice made her turn her head. She watched him as he sat down in the chair Luther had occupied only moments earlier. He grasped her hand with both of his.

“I’m prepared to do the exchange,” she said.

“I know that, sweetheart. But as much as I hate to agree with Luther, he’s right. We can’t just exchange one innocent for another. We won’t gain anything by doing that. On the contrary: as soon as he has you, he’ll disappear. At the moment he has to stick around, because he wants you. Once we give him what he wants, we’ve missed our chance to capture him.”

“But Isabelle. She must be out of her mind by now. I know how scared she must be. Wes, I can’t let her suffer in my stead.”

From her other side, Oliver turned to them. “You know what I find odd? That Forrester would tell us so far in advance when the exchange will take place. Why even tell us? Doesn’t he tip his hand by doing that and giving us time to prepare?”

Wes shrugged. “He wants us to be ready so there won’t be any delays. And without knowing the location, how could we even prepare?”

Oliver rubbed his nape. “Still odd. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

Blake walked up behind him, putting his hand on Oliver’s shoulder. “You and me both, bro.” He looked at Wes and Katie. “Ever since we got the call, I’ve been wondering the same thing. Why tell us the time when it’s still a good nine hours until then? Why give us the time to figure out alternative rescue plans? It makes no sense.”

“Maybe he’s not all that bright,” Wes suggested.

Katie instantly shook her head. “No. He’s smart. All stalkers are. They are more intelligent than average. And that makes them feel superior. They relish that feeling. They love to dangle things in front of you, making you think you can defeat them, when in reality you can’t.” She’d been at the receiving end of it once before.

Blake raised an eyebrow. “You think he believes his plan is so solid that there’s no way we can come up with anything better?”

“Most likely. That’s why he feels safe enough to tell us when it’ll happen. Almost as if the ticking clock adds to his excitement. He gets off on that, on knowing that we’re counting down the minutes and are no closer to finding him. It’s a game for him.”

“Well, we’re not gonna play his game.”

Katie swiveled in her chair when she heard Luther’s voice. He and Samson had reentered the room together and now approached.

Samson addressed the assembled, “Luther has an idea.” He stepped aside and gave the floor to Luther.

Somewhat surprised at Samson’s gracious gesture, Katie leaned forward in her chair, eager to hear what Luther had to say.

“Mendoza mistook Isabelle, not only because she changed roles with Katie, but because the two wore the same type of outfit and hairdo. They looked like sisters, if not twins. I think we can use this fact to our advantage. We’ll give him what he wants. But he won’t get Katie. He’ll get somebody who looks like her.”

“And that’s not delivering an innocent to him?” Zane scoffed. “Hypocrite!”

“Not when the person we’re dressing up as Katie is a vampire and knows how to defend herself.”

Instinctively Katie’s gaze shot to Yvette. “Not Yvette,” she blurted. She couldn’t let her sister-in-law put herself in danger for her. If anything happened, Haven would never forgive her for it. Nor would Cooper or Lydia.