Gretchen didn’t answer.
Kurt placed the gun to her temple. “Answer me.”
Her skin flushed cold and her hand trembled. “Why do you even care?”
“Because then I know how much he’ll do for you. He wouldn’t get a lot of love the way he is.”
Kurt had no clue. He was so focused on some old-fashioned idea of strength and power that he didn’t see how much strength Arthur had. He underestimated him, which would be his downfall.
When she continued to stare at him, Kurt swore and said, “Where’s the treasure?”
“Where’s Jordan?”
“He’s with a friend.”
“Who and where?” She got out of the car, clenching her hands to stop the shake. Only a few metres to the farmhouse. She could see through the fly screen door. Could she get up the steps and inside before Kurt shot her?
“Don’t even think it.” Kurt kept the gun trained on her as he got out. She flinched as the door slammed.
She raised her voice in case anyone was within hearing distance. “Who has Jordan, and where is he?”
“He’s with a bloke called Lee,” Kurt said. “He’s a mean mother-fucker who doesn’t like to be kept waiting, and he knows the ranges inside and out. You won’t find him unless he wants to be found.”
Lee. A sliver of hope slid through Gretchen’s veins. Georgie thought he wasn’t as bad as he seemed. Surely, he wouldn’t hurt children.
Kurt walked around the car, gun still directed at Gretchen. “The treasure, Gretchen.”
“It’s hidden inside.”
He pressed the gun into her back. “Let’s go.”
She climbed the steps and entered the cool kitchen. Empty. No mugs on the table, nothing cooking in the oven, nothing to show anyone had recently been there. She was on her own.
Gretchen closed her eyes and exhaled, bracing herself.
She would save herself.
***
The fear in Gretchen’s voice pulled at Arthur. He fought every instinct to rush out there and kill Kurt. That wasn’t the military way. Shut off the emotions. Stick to the plan.
Maybe that was why Brandon had given him the knife and not a gun. So he wouldn’t do something stupid.
“Kurt’s got a gun pressed into Gretchen’s back.” Sam’s voice came through Arthur’s ear piece. “No one else seems to be in the car. Lee has Jordan and Cody.”
He tucked that piece of information away. If Georgie knew where Lee was, they could get them back. They were safe, for now.
“They’re coming into the farmhouse.”
A creak followed Sam’s words as the steps announced their arrival.
Arthur gripped the knife and kept his eyes on the door to the laundry. He would attack when they came this way.
“No more games. I want the location of the treasure.” Kurt sounded frustrated and a little fearful.
“I’ll show you. You won’t find it on your own.” The determination in Gretchen’s voice scared Arthur. What was she planning? Didn’t she realise they were here, ready to help?
“Where is it, Gretchen?”
