Chapter 53
“Do you have the money?”
“I want to talk to Jesse, Tina.”
“Why? Do you really think I’d hurt our daughter?”
“I’d like to think you wouldn’t but I need to be sure.”
There was a long pause, then her voice. “Hey, Pop.”
“Are you okay, Jesse?”
“I’m fine…just miss you…A LOT.”
Tony had picked up on Jesse’s use of ‘Pop’ and knew she was giving him a message for Richie. “He misses you too and he said to tell you he loves you.”
“I love you too, Pop.”
“Put your mother back on the phone.”
Jesse handed the phone to her mother. “Very touching. Now, do you have the money?”
“How do I know you won’t do this again?”
“You don’t. Do you have the money?”
“Of course I have it.”
“Meet me in Fernandina…at the harbor.”
“It’s going to take me some time to get there.”
“Leave now. I’ll give you until 10 PM. If you don’t make it, the only things you’ll have of Paige are your memories and pictures.”
“Are you going to bring her with you?”
“I’ll think about it.”
The phone went dead and Tony looked at the FBI agent. “Well?”
“We got it. Good job at keeping her on the line.”
“What next?”
“We have two options.”
“They are?”
“We can go to the house and get her or we can get you to the meeting place and arrest her there.”
“Ten o’clock? I can’t get Jesse to Tampa before the show is over.”
“We’ll have a helicopter waiting.”
“Won’t you need to get a statement from Jess?”
“We can wait until tomorrow. After her ordeal, I’m sure she’s going to want to see Mr. Sambora.”
“What’s the safest way?”
“Doesn’t matter. We won’t endanger Jesse.”
“The sooner we get Jesse back, the better.”
“We’ll go to the house then. We’ll leave an agent here with her son.”
“No, Richie wants him in Tampa so Jesse will be able to see him. I’ve already got them a flight.”
“We’ll send an agent with them to make sure they get there safely.”
“Thanks. I need to call Richie.”
“We’ll leave in half an hour.”
Tony nodded and moved away from everyone to make the call to Richie. “Hey.”
“Any word?” asked Richie anxiously.
“I just talked to Tina and Jesse. Jess said to tell you she loves you.”
“Is she okay?”
“She said she was and she sounded okay…just a little upset. You’ll be able to see for yourself soon. The FBI is trying to have her back and in your arms before the show starts.”
“Thank you, Tony.”
“You can thank Agent Hunt. He’s been the one in charge. Within thirty minutes of my call to Billy, he was here and had things rolling for the phone call.”
“I’ll make sure to thank him personally.”
“William is going to meet Stevie and Carly at the airport. Their flight is due in around four.”
“I’ll be looking for them. What about you and Billy?’
“Billy will be with Carly and Stevie but I’m going with the agents to get Jesse.”
“Where is she?”
“Northern Florida….Fernandina Beach.”
“Her mom was from there. She must have gone back when she left Chris. Give her a hug from me.”
“No way, Boss! That ‘Outlaw’ might steal something from me.”
Richie laughed, “See you tonight.”
