The October List

dropped your daughter off at her dance class this morning. Not long after that, an associate of mine who looks like Tim’s father came to the school and signed her out. Grandpa’s name and picture are on the assigned release list.’
    ‘How did you know that?’ Gabriela whispered in shock.
    Joseph seemed not in the mood to answer. ‘He said that there was a change of plans and he was supposed to take Sarah to some friends. You had an unexpected trip. Grandpa look-alike dropped her off with said friends. I.e. , me. That’s how it worked. And pretty damn smooth if I do say so myself.’
    ‘No! She wouldn’t go away with a stranger!’ Gabriela cried.
    ‘The last time she saw her grandfather was two years ago. I learned that with a few mouse clicks. And I mean just a few . Tsk, tsk – all that social network stuff. People are sooo careless nowadays.’
    Wiping her eyes with her fingertips, she whispered, ‘I don’t have much money. But I’ll get you whatever you want. I’ll borrow it. I’ll—’
    Joseph’s amused eyes took in Daniel again. ‘You’re gettin’ tense there, Cowboy; you’re getting antsy. I can see it. Like you’re thinking about playing hero. You want to take a pen and stab me in the eye? Well, first, I’d kill you before you got six inches toward me. But if you managed to grab a bat or have an RPG hidden on your person and you took me out, what do you think would happen to our Sarah? Be a little smarter, okay?’
    Daniel said evenly, ‘The police’ll get you. And the FBI. Kidnapping’s a federal crime.’
    Joseph sighed. ‘Oh, pul-ease …’ His eyes swayed back to Gabriela. His voice was more reasonable now. ‘Listen. She’s fine. She’s watching TV. She’s got some toys. She thinks she’s with some friends of yours she hasn’t met. You had to go out of town for a day or two.’
    ‘If you hurt her, I’ll—’
    ‘Movie dialogue alert … Let’s not waste time, okay?’
    ‘I want to talk to her. I want to see her.’
    ‘In a minute.’
    ‘Please.’
    ‘In a minute .’ Joseph looked around them. There were no observers. ‘Now, listen to me carefully. Are you listening?’
    ‘Yes, but—’
    ‘Shhh. All I want is you to listen.’
    ‘All right.’ She looked down past her trembling hands.
    ‘Have you heard from Charles Prescott today?’
    ‘No, I swear. He left work early yesterday. I’d tell you if I’d heard from him. Please … What do you want?’
    Joseph was nodding. Again he looked up and down the street through the front door. A few passersby but nobody was paying this group any attention. ‘There’s a list – with detailed information on some clients of Charles’s. Thirty-two of them, to be exact.’
    ‘Thirty-two?’ she asked, looking quickly at Daniel.
    ‘That’s right. He called it the October List. These were special clients he did, let’s say, some private work for.’
    ‘I’ve never heard of it.’
    ‘That’s not really my concern, now, is it? Anyway, I’m one of those clients. And we were involved in an important project – which has been derailed thanks to your boss vanishing unexpectedly. I don’t like derailings and now I need to be in touch with the others. Without him we’re a rudderless ship. Did you catch that word, by the way? “Need” the list? And you’re going to get it for me.’
    ‘But how can I get you something I’ve never heard of?’
    ‘You knew Charles better than most people. Even if you’re telling the truth – I’m not exactly sure about that, by the way – but even if you are, you better than anybody can figure out where it is.’
    Daniel said, ‘But if it was that important, he wouldn’t’ve kept it himself. He’d give it to somebody for safekeeping. His lawyer, his—’
    ‘His lawyer doesn’t have it. I checked.’
    Gabriela asked, ‘Mr Grosberg? You’ve talked to him?’
    Joseph paused and his thick lips eased into what might have been a smile. ‘We had a meeting. A … discussion . I’m convinced he doesn’t have the list.’
    ‘Meeting? You don’t mean that at all. What the hell did you do to him?’
    ‘Relax. He’ll be okay in a month or two.’
    ‘He’s seventy years old! What did you do?’
    ‘Gabriela, we on the same page here? I don’t need you to be weird. I need you to be focused, for Sarah’s sake. Now, I heard about the list from a little bird – who’s no longer with us, by the way.’
    ‘ What? ’
    Joseph wrinkled his nose, dismissing her shocked