ES_ebook_8.2.19 Page 6

  Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Sam digging a ringing phone from her black purse. As she answered the phone with a “Hi, Bev,” his curious ears perked up. Could it be Beverly Shodun? He’d never forgotten the woman who’d threatened to have him arrested if he approached her again. Since her husband died on one of their ops, Ken and Jesse had offered condolences and assistance. Since she wouldn’t allow them near her, they checked on her from afar to make sure one of their teammates’ widows was properly taken care of even if it couldn’t be by them.

  Of course, Sam, as someone on the police force, had known the reality of ops were different, and not once blamed him, or Jesse.

  He glanced at Sam over his shoulder. The two women had been two peas in a pod. He’d never understood it because, in his mind, Sam’s friendship had been too good for the woman he’d deemed selfish.

  Maybe it was time to check in on Adam’s widow and her son again to ensure they were still doing well. Cody had to be about nine or ten by now.

  Knowing he shouldn’t intrude, he turned back to his bike. Ken’s blood ran cold at Sam’s next urgently spoken statement, and he whirled around to face her.

  “When did he go missing? What do you mean kidnapped?”

  Every member of the team froze in getting to their vehicles and turned to Sam. Ken’s blood ran cold at the questions she’d asked.

  She turned and their eyes connected. Instead of the woman who was pissed off at him from their passionate kiss, she turned back into the focused woman who happened to be the best damn sniper he’d known. Her expression wrenched his gut. Even through her strength, fear clouded her eyes and he’d never seen that in her before.

  Without thought for themselves and the rest due to them after a long, hard day of training, the men moved in and surrounded Sam. They knew they’d just drawn an op and were already focused on learning what details they could from her side of the conversation.

  Even though they were only steps away from the building, Ken pulled his cell from his pocket and speed dialed the HIS emergency line. When Jesse answered, he quickly stated, “We have a kidnapping. We’re returning now. Sam’s on the phone with a Beverly, maybe Beverly Shodun. Her boy should be about nine or ten.”

  They began to shuffle her toward the door they’d all departed through a few moments ago as individuals going their separate ways. They returned as a cohesive team.

  “Oh, hell,” Jesse responded. “His name is Cody and he’s nine, almost ten. Devon and I are ready for you.”

  “We’re walking in now.” Until they reached the war room, Ken would keep his phone line open to relay anything Sam said so even that couple of seconds it saved could mean time in rescuing the boy.

  As the men led the way down the hallway, Ken followed Sam, listening to every word in case she forgot to relay something. As she slowed her pace, she turned away, and lowered her voice. Curious, he leaned in from behind her and barely overheard her words. When he did, he stepped back because her statement startled him.

  “Don’t you remember who I work for? I thought you wanted me to kill two of them, not bring them to help you.”

  6

  Cody abducted! Sam’s heart had skipped a beat and fear had lanced its way through her system at record speed, leaving her determined yet with weak knees. Even though she knew this disturbing act occurred, she couldn’t comprehend why someone would do such a thing—especially to the Shoduns. Bev had no money and Cody was a good kid.

  Knowing how much Bev despised Jesse and Ken, Sam had been surprised her friend would call for help. Of course, Sam would help no matter the backup, and the experience of the team would be extremely beneficial.

  “I don’t want them. I want you.”

  Feeling Ken move closer, she began walking again. When she entered the war room, the hard, expectant gazes of Jesse and Devon almost threw her off balance. Even though she didn’t discount her own skills, she knew that success would need more than Sam alone. She had to convince Bev to allow them to rescue Cody.

  “Is she home?” Devon’s quiet words told her that HIS would be involved and she’d bet even if it happened to be against Bev’s wishes. They didn’t mess around when a kid was involved. They’d pull in any resource they could find, which included, as she noted on one op, some black ops friends of theirs. That had been a surprise when they’d just appeared out of nowhere.

  She nodded, refusing to speak so Bev wouldn’t realize she’d shared information to the people Bev hated most. They’d start their search at Bev’s, hoping there were clues or Bev could offer up something they could use to locate Cody.

  She closed her eyes in the hope that the plane hadn’t departed. She’d never been more grateful that HIS leased a private jet to ensure they had a rapid response.

  Turning her back to the men, she kept her voice low, hoping they wouldn’t push her until she could talk Bev into their coming or at least calm Bev down enough to get the information they’d need. “Bev,” she said soothingly, hoping to quiet the hysterical woman, “you know I’m there for you and will do everything in my power to rescue Cody, but I can’t do this alone. I need HIS. You need HIS.”

  The crying from her friend nearly broke her heart. No parent would want this to happen to them.

  “I don’t want them anywhere near my son,” Bev said vehemently.

  With a frustrated sigh and knowing time was of the essence, she gave up trying and turned back to the men. She shifted into her warrior mode because friend mode had failed. This was no time to hold a grudge or let hatred take over. She wouldn’t tolerate it on Bev’s part… or her own. Nothing mattered except finding Cody. “Give me the particulars.” She’d have rather had the call on speakerphone to keep them moving forward quickly, but she feared Bev would hang up and that couldn’t happen. If not that, she would say something that she really shouldn’t about what they’d discovered about Ken and Jesse. The thought made her blanch, the information still not settling well in her gut.

  Bev needed to get off the phone to await a call from the kidnapper. If it went down like that. Besides, she didn’t need to know that Sam planned to bring the team with her. Bev needed them more than she cared to believe.

  Sniffing and sounding as if she was trying to stop her crying, Bev asked, “What do you want to know?”

  The men reappeared, and Franks tossed Jesse his tactical vest. Cowboy handed Ken his as if he planned to go. She eyed him while Bev composed herself. Why his vest? With his injury, he couldn’t be much help.

  As Bev answered Sam’s questions, she watched the byplay in the room as the team saddled up. Apparently, Jesse was surprised by Ken suiting up too, because he cocked one eyebrow at him in question.

  “It’s Adam’s son. I’m going.” There’d been no question in Ken’s words, only a matter of fact. She’d heard that tone before, but as far as she knew, it was reserved for an op.

  Sam’s gaze bounced back and forth between the two agents, curious to Jesse’s response. Despite Ken’s injury, while he couldn’t help them in the field, he could lead the investigative side of the crime while the team traveled to wherever the hell they needed to go. And she would go to hell if she had to rescue her pseudo nephew.

  She tossed another question at Bev, who seemed more focused, despite the tremor in her voice, as she told Sam what she knew.

  Jesse nodded at Ken. “All right.” He glanced around the room and Sam followed his gaze. Devon had a phone nestled between his shoulder and ear, he gave a thumbs-up before returning to typing furiously on his computer.

  She nearly sagged with relief knowing that meant the plane hadn’t departed and became theirs. Knowing Trent would agree with priorities, she didn’t feel guilty.

  The men stood over the table, looking at what Sam thought might be a map of Columbus, yet appeared to be waiting for a command to move out.

  Knowing she had enough information for them to
start, and the need for Bev to keep her phone line open since she didn’t have a ransom demand, only a note that said No police, Sam put an end to the call. “Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She estimated it would be a few hours, but she’d have to double-check before she promised that. Bev’s wails began again, and Sam took a deep breath wishing she could calm her friend through the phone. But it was of no use; she just needed to get to her.

  “Bev. Bev. Listen, I’m coming to you. We’ll figure this out. You stay where you are in case Cody comes home or someone calls. Remember to keep your phone line open and don’t do anything rash. Your and Cody’s lives are too valuable. Don’t fret, I’ll help you through this.” Her and six well-trained men on location and one left behind to do that magic he did on the computer were all that was needed. They were the best; she was confident with that knowledge.

  “Hurry,” Bev said through wails.

  Sam’s heart broke for her troubled friend. She’d do whatever it took to find Cody, even bringing the men Bev never wanted to see. Sam would beg for forgiveness after they rescued the boy.

  Instead of immediately briefing in the war room, Jesse caught everyone’s attention. “All right,” he said, without looking at Ken, “I’m going to tag along as an extra gun. Now, grab your gear and get your asses to the airfield pronto. We’ll meet in the usual spot and brief in the air.”

  Without another word, her four teammates departed, leaving her, her team leader, and their big boss. She appreciated the team knowing she needed to ride with them to the airport. Ken and Jesse would make all the decisions, although curiosity over who’d be leading this time since Ken was injured wandered through her mind.

  Jesse looked pointedly at Sam and then Devon. “We’ll conference you in while Sam briefs us on the road. Is the plane ready and staying with us in Georgia?”

  She thought it a little late to find out that bit of information. Then a bit of fear grabbed her. The jet had to remain available after their boots hit the ground. They fought the clock.

  “The pilot had already pre-flighted for the fam’s trip, so the plane will be ready before you get there,” Devon responded. “Everyone will agree you have priority. I’ll get the closest airfield information to the pilot so she can change the flight plan before you arrive. The plane and pilot will be at your disposal during the search. I’ll also get a weapons clearance for both airports.”

  Jesse nodded then turned back to her and Ken. “Let’s go.”

  The three walked at a fast clip to the back of the building where they kept their vehicles. They climbed into a waiting, black SUV, the other team’s vehicle having already departed.

  Before their SUV had even been moved out of Park, Jesse connected his phone to the SUV’s Bluetooth. Once completed, he phoned Devon on hands-free so they could all hear.

  “Go,” Devon said in answer.

  At this point, the necessity of brevity to get the ball rolling had her spurting out single words and short phrases of what she’d learned from Bev, as she answered his questions. “Nine years old, male, six hours.” Since Bev had been gone most of the day, six hours happened to be the best guess.

  “Ransom demand?” Devon shot questions at her rapid-fire, barely giving her a chance to breathe.

  “No.”

  “Police?”

  She knew that meant police contacted and involved. Although she wished they had been, she also knew HIS would be limited if they were since it wasn’t their neck of the woods. Then she thought about Fort Bragg and Jesse and Ken’s past Ranger experience. Her heart leapt. If needed, help would be available.

  “Note stating not to contact them.”

  Devon didn’t miss a beat. “Witnesses?”

  “Unsure. I couldn’t get anything else from her. She did fine answering questions for a while, but then…. She’s just so overwrought.” Hell, she realized she’d gone into a narrative instead of keeping to the short response. Although this wasn’t her first kidnapping rescue with HIS, it was the first time she’d been the resource and had a personal investment in the case.

  The clicking sounds from Devon’s hands flying over his keyboard were her response. She’d always wondered how he found the information he did—some of the legality of it made her wonder—but when it came to rescuing children, she never questioned his ability. He’d always said the information was out there, you just needed to know where to look. Then, he’d give that adorable grin and wink adding, “And not get caught.”

  “For hire or pro bono?”

  She knew it meant how deep they could pull from their pockets, although she had an inkling that, depending on the situation, if a client’s budget was exhausted, they dug into HIS funds for rescues. Since she’d never been in this situation—where she knew the client—she hadn’t considered a thing like a bill for services rendered. “I don’t know if she can pay or—”

  Jesse interrupted her. “Pro bono.”

  Relief whooshed through her. The last thing Bev needed was to deal with a ransom demand and a bill for their expensive services from the men she despised, no matter if they rescued her son.

  Ken jumped in. “Beverly Shodun. Her husband, Adam, was killed on an op Jesse and I led.”

  A knife to the gut ripped up her insides as she thought of that op. What she’d experienced with Ken and Jesse’s leadership and actions warred with what she’d recently learned about their leadership and actions on Lance’s final op. But people changed.

  “Christ,” Devon breathed. “I remember now. Okay, Sam, I need you to tell me everything you can about Beverly and her friends. Is she seeing anyone?”

  The time for brevity of information was over. He had the basics to start his computer magic, so now the investigation part began. “I don’t think so.” The questioning lilt of her voice must’ve alerted everyone to her newfound uncertainty. She hadn’t asked Bev this question, yet she’d expected if Bev had been dating, she’d tell Sam about it. Besides, Bev was too dedicated to Adam’s memory.

  “We’ll find out,” Ken stated from the driver’s seat.

  “As for friends, she had acquaintances, but I think I’m the only one she calls a close friend. Bev suffers from—”she hesitated“—depression.” She gulped, hating to expose her friend’s personal problems, but knew anything could be relevant. “Among other things. I’ve been trying to get her into counseling. She hasn’t gotten over her husband’s death.” She didn’t glance at Jesse or Ken, but somehow knew they’d been thinking about that fatal op and the fact Sam’s husband had also been killed. Absorbing the new information, and how Bev wanted her to help enact vengeance, tore at her.

  She mentally shook herself back to the person who kept those types of emotions deep inside. Strength and focus were needed, especially since Bev would go into a fit when she arrived with the men.

  Delving into more detail about what she knew about Bev, she thought back to her friend’s habits, routines, and more. The longer she spoke, the more she realized Bev needed her help whether she wished it or not. And not just in rescuing Cody.

  She wouldn’t just suggest after this. She’d make it happen, even if she had to drag Bev to a doctor and counseling herself.

  Ken asked the million-dollar question. “Why do you think someone kidnapped her kid if she’s not rich or socially prominent?”

  That had been gnawing at Sam’s belly. Bev hadn’t told her of anything she’d gotten herself into or anyone she’d started seeing, so Sam couldn’t figure out the reason. The only thing that came to mind made her sick to her stomach. “Maybe—” She couldn’t spit it out; it tasted so terrible on her tongue.

  “No. It doesn’t feel like sex trafficking” Jesse said. “They wouldn’t have left a note, even if it’s not a typical kidnapping note.”

  The four quieted, and Sam prayed they’d get a good lead when they met with Bev.

  Devon broke the heavy sile
nce. “Let me see what I can do. I’ll have a report for you before you land.” He disconnected the call without waiting for a response.

  Sam’s gut churned at the realization she was about to learn more—personal and financial—about Bev than she’d ever known and because of her friend’s instability; she didn’t think she’d like it all.

  In the rearview mirror, she caught Ken’s gaze. “What do you think really happened, Sam?”

  She bristled at his question that raised doubts they believed all she’d told them. In no way would she tolerate that misplaced sentiment. “What do you mean? Cody was kidnapped? What else is there?”

  “Well,” Jesse took over the sudden interrogation pointing her way, “it did take her six hours to contact you.”

  “We can ask her about that when we get there,” she responded sharply and wanted to kick herself for not asking that question. “Maybe she thought Cody was at a friend’s house.”

  “Does she often leave him alone? I mean, he’s only nine,” Ken asked, though she caught the hint of disapproval in his voice.

  “Almost ten,” she said in retort like Cody reminded her. She hated to admit that Bev did, which was why Sam had tried to be around when she knew Bev planned to go about town doing who knew what. She frowned in disappointment. “I’m sad to say that she sometimes does.” Trying to justify her friend’s behavior, she added, “So do many people, whether right or wrong.”

  Sam hoped Bev would be cooperative—for Cody’s sake. It’d be a toss-up for sure. No matter her friend’s desire, HIS would take over to find and rescue Cody.

  She hoped Devon found something quickly that pointed them in the right direction. They’d already lost time, and the longer Cody remained with his kidnappers, the chance of rescue diminished. With a sinking heart, she admitted that they might be too late.

  Even working with a smaller team, Alpha team had more than enough men to follow any leads. And with the practice Ken had them doing to build a more cohesive team and mock rescues, she had no doubt they could handle this.