“And I wanted you to tell me everything you discovered about the Stokes, but you didn’t.”
She pressed her lips together. How much did he know? Someone at school had to be telling him what the kids were saying. Her mouth dropped open. Was it Miss Simpson? Had she ignored Lara because Stonefish had told her to? If so, she wouldn’t have called the police. Gretchen might be on her own. “And I told you, I didn’t know what you knew.” She buckled her seatbelt. “So why don’t you ask me?”
Kurt drove at the speed limit through the town, only speeding up when he reached the limits. “Where’s the treasure?”
“What treasure?”
Kurt slammed his hand on the steering wheel. “The treasure you and Jordan and the Stokes dug up yesterday. Jordan told me about it, but he didn’t know where it was taken.”
Thank God they’d made the children go into the other room. She needed to stall. “Why do you think I know?”
“Because you were there. If you don’t tell me, you’ll never see Jordan again.” His tone carried no emotion.
Fear settled deep within her gut. “You never cared for him, did you?”
“Children are weak. They’re a liability, as you’re now discovering.”
She didn’t argue. No point. He would never see it any other way. He’d never bring a child breakfast in bed or teach them things. Not like Arthur.
“Where’s the treasure, Gretchen?”
She couldn’t rely on the police having been informed, but Lara would get a message to her father. Of that Gretchen was certain. If Darcy knew what had happened, there was time for them to prepare. “It’s at the Ridge.”
Kurt laughed. “The Ridge is a quarter of a million acres. Can you be a little more specific?”
“Not until I know Jordan is alive. I want to speak to him.”
He slammed on the brakes and the seatbelt cut into Gretchen’s chest. She grunted at the pain.
“I don’t have time to play these games.” A tiny flick of fear flashed in his eyes before it was replaced by loathing.
If Kurt was scared, that meant Stonefish was terrifying. She clenched her teeth to stop the hysterical demands to see her son from pouring from her mouth. Staying calm was the only way to come out on top. “Do you know where Jordan is?”
“Of course.”
“Then I want proof of life.”
“There’s no reception where he is.”
So not in town. “Then how will you tell them to bring him back?” she demanded.
Kurt smirked. “The person holding him will tire of him.
“And then what?”
He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“No.” She shook her head as the terror tried to take control. “You will not harm my son. I won’t help you until I know he and Cody are alive and safe.” She reached for the door handle and the locks clicked into place.
Kurt pressed his gun against her temple. “You are expendable. One of the Stokes will tell me if you don’t.”
Gretchen’s hand shook as she stared into his unblinking eyes. He meant it. He would shoot her without hesitation. Every muscle in her body tightened.
“Where’s the treasure?”
She had no choice. He had all the control. She exhaled. “Near the farmhouse.” She prayed Lara had called Darcy. Arthur and Sam would be there, but so would Ed and Tess and Amy.
“I said details.” He pressed the gun harder to her head.
