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He hid out in the shadows, staking the place out. He was diligent and made certain to keep in the dark. His car wasn't much to notice, and that was no mistake. He'd specifically told the rental company just what he'd wanted, and they'd delivered.
They were all out. He didn't know where they'd gone, and frankly, he didn't care, either. They had taken the brat and gone in their car, and that was all that mattered. The one and only hindrance at this point was the older lady, the nanny.
He sat back, his arms crossed over his chest as he focused. The woman was stepping out of the house, and he perked up in an instant. He couldn't believe his luck! She was toting a large bag of garbage and making her way to the yard with it!
Knowing full well that this might be his only chance, the man slipped out of the car, being extra cautious as he closed the passenger's side door. He refused to slam it, as he didn't want to alert the woman's - or anyone else's - attention.
Stealthily, he raced toward the house. The door was naturally wide open, unlocked, as the lady was occupied with the trash. He didn't have a clue as to how long that might last, but he knew he had to act the quickest way possible. And he sincerely hoped all would be quiet.
Shit! He suddenly remembered the two dogs as he meandered down the hallway of the house. What if they caught his scent and started barking? And the big dog was a Rottweiler... The last thing he needed was to get attacked and bitten by a vicious animal.
Moments later, however, he was no longer worried. It seemed they had taken the dogs with them. Thank goodness for small favors.
He glanced furtively around, his perked. The woman hadn't gone back into the house... Good. He ran like a thief as he finally located the right room.
The baby was sleeping soundly in the crib. He looked so warm and peaceful, angelic. And there was no more time to waste. He had to take this chance, and he only hoped the infant would stay asleep.
Reaching into the crib, the man held his breath as he lifted up the baby. He cradled him as he surveyed the room, only then realizing the woman had come back in. He'd heard the distinct sound of the door closing.
Great, he thought. He hated the realization that his heart was suddenly thundering in his chest. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Worse yet, what if the baby in his arms suddenly awakened? If that happened, that was it - he'd be screwed!
One thing was certain - he had to get out of there, and fast. He couldn't afford any scenario he could imagine happening. His head shot over in the direction of the windows. Thankfully, this room was on the ground floor. Provided he could open the window with minimal noise, and still manage to hold onto the kid, this could work.
The woman on the other end of the house was definitely occupied with something. She was in the kitchen, and it was possible she was cleaning up in there since the family had already eaten. He had to take this chance, and act quickly.
Silently praying, his eyes shifting to the still sleeping baby, he tested the window. It was actually open already, but he needed to raise it higher and put up the piece under it as well.
He could still hear the lady puttering around several rooms away. He held his breath as he chanced a quick glance toward the door. He thought he heard footsteps actually nearing as he took the plunge and swung his legs over the window sill.
Somehow, the kid was still asleep in his arms as he jumped. But that didn't last long as he started running for his rental car. And the baby woke and started to cry!
The man ran as fast as his legs could go. He held onto the child, trying his best to prevent him from flopping too much in his arms, which was no easy task.
"Shh," he hushed. And what was the use? At least he had by now reached the car.
He put the baby, as gingerly as he could manage, into the backseat, then scrambled to the driver's side, got in and started the ignition. It took everything he had within to not gun the engine with the gas pedal to the floor as he got away - but he had to think about the baby. He couldn't afford to hurt him.
*
Linda was a blubbering mess as they arrived back home. She had the phone receiver in her hand, as she'd been literally about to call Adam's cell phone. She cringed as she heard the front door open.
Mandy bounded into the kitchen first, accompanied by the dogs. She sang a hello to the nanny but instantly realized something was wrong.
Amy's expression fell the moment she caught the look on the woman's face. And she knew all of a sudden that she'd made a mistake in changing her mind about going out. She should have stayed in as she'd originally wanted.
"Oh, my God... Linda, what's wrong?" she demanded. She went to the woman, reaching out for her with both hands. She wasn't sure she was ill or if something else had happened. "What is it?"
"I only left for a moment!" she moaned. Tears were streaming down the older woman's face as she shook her head and lowered to sit on one of the kitchen chairs. "I took the garbage out, that's all!"
Adam held his breath as his gaze met Amy's, and he knew they were both thinking the same thing, their fears identical.
"Tommy!" Linda cried, bowing her head. "He's... gone!"