The deputy silently started hitting keys on her laptop and the machine next to it.
A deep chuckle sounded, and it made Colt’s skin crawl. “You’ll find out when you get me what I need.”
“How much?”
“Ten million wired to an account. I’m going to give you thirty minutes, or I start shooting holes into your pretty wife.”
Ten million? Jesus Christ.
His back teeth ground together. “I want to know that she’s safe first.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“Not even a little bit.”
Another laugh from his father, then a shuffling noise.
“Colt?”
His eyes shuttered at her voice. The relief it brought him almost sent him to his knees. “You’re okay.”
“I’m okay. But I’m really wishing we were back at the party. Or close to it at least. Somewhere big enough for just the two of us.”
He frowned at her odd statement. “I’m going to get you back, Cricket. I promise.”
Another shuffling noise, then Gordon came back on. “There, she’s alive.Nowyou ready to get me my money?”
“Give me the damn details. My mother and I will give you everything we own. Just don’t hurt her.”
“That’s the cooperation I was looking for.” Gordon relayed the bank details. “Remember, within the half hour or your woman’s going to get hurt.”
His father hung up, making Colt want to reach into the phone and tear out his fucking heart.
“Got it,” Claudia said quickly. She looked up and pointed to one of the circled cell towers. “He’s closest to this one.”
Colt frowned. That was within three miles of their park.
Indie’s words came back to him. “She wished we were back at the party…or close to it.”
“And somewhere just big enough for the two of you,” Noah finished.
“I thought that was strange too,” Jesse added.
“It was a hint.” Noah frowned. “She was telling us that they’re near the cabins.”
“But where?” Jesse asked.
Suddenly, it hit Colt. “Somewhere just big enough for the two of us… The old toolshed!”
“Shit, you’re right,” Noah finished. “He’s probably been sleeping there.”
Colt started running, sprinting out of the office and into the cool evening air. They were right about this. The shed wasn’t too far. He just had to pray he wasn’t too late.
CHAPTER 32
Silence. It surrounded Indie, and God, it felt heavy in the small toolshed. Heavy and dangerous and a bit like a ticking bomb.
Gordon rubbed his eyes. Eyes that were still red and raw from the repellent spray. Then his gaze returned to the cell in his hand. His attention had barely left that thing since he’d ended the call with Colt.
