The guy shakes my hand firmly with a grim nod. We both know the odds of getting her back and I appreciate the fact he doesn’t sugarcoat it.
After holding the door open for the three of us, I push the elevator button. “Do you think her abduction has something to do with the senator?”
“Not sure. Have you got any calls? Ransom?”
In the small space, I glance over at Slate. Me and Blake sure as hell aren’t poor. However, even with her mom’s assets, we wouldn’t have enough cash for a decent ransom. It doesn’t make sense.
At my apartment door, Diamond holds out a palm. “Can I see your cell phone?”
Rather reluctantly. I hand it over, feeling as if I’m giving over control of finding my wife. Inside, another agent sits at my kitchen table and glances up. My heartstrings twang at the smell of baked bread and cinnamon.
A thought comes to me, I rush into the bedroom, and open the top drawer of her bedside dresser. She used to carry a useless Glock in her purse. I insisted she trade up. Breathing a little easier at finding the case empty, I walk back down the hall, past the unfinished tree, and into the kitchen.
“Say again?”
Slate puts a pod in the Keurig. “Isaid, it’s just a matter of time before we find her.”
“She has her weapon on her.” I pray she plays it smart and all the lessons I’ve given her pay off.
My cell phone sings out with the ringtone reserved for her, my gut clenches, and I say to the agents, “It’s her.”
Diamond puts the phone on speaker, nods at the agent sitting, then swipes the screen, his palm held out.
“Hello?”
“Jack? You there?” At the sound of her voice, a little of my battle armor cracks but I can’t fall apart and stay strong enough to save her.
“Babe? Where are you?”
A low male voice says, “Back off.” The line goes dead.
Fuck it all to hell.Part of me is thrilled she’s still alive, the other part knows it could be a recording. She could already be gone.
The young agent sitting at my kitchen table purses his lips, suspicion written all over his face. “What do you think they want?”
“I’m guessing for me to back off.” My tone isn’t really friendly, I don’t have time for this.
Antsy, I walk behind his chair so I can see his screen. “Did you get where the call came from?”
“Working on it. Somewhere in midtown.” He pushes up on the bridge of his dark glasses, grimaces, and opens a few more windows in his other monitor.
If we were anywhere else in the world, those tight coordinates would lead you right to the kidnapper’s front porch. In Manhattan, not so much.
“We need to do better. Keep trying.” Special Agent Diamond frowns at the younger, geeky looking agent, then looks up at me. “Agent Lukeman was right to ask. The guy said to back off. What did he mean by that?”
I glance at Slate for some guidance. I’m not sure how much the FBI knows about the other night. And honestly? I don’t want us distracted when I’m trying to find my wife.
After some reflection, I decide upon a partial truth. “I’ve been guarding Senator McAlister and recently got fired. I guess they didn’t get the memo.”
“And?”
“That’s it. There is no and.”I’m not saying a word until I hear from Patten.Putting a bug under a senator’s chair was risky. Telling the FBI would be just plain stupid.
