“Thank you,” Christopher said, meaning it with everything in him. “I owe you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. Just let us know when you have this piece of trash. We always want to know when the garbage gets taken out.”
“I will.” Christopher hung up and stared at his phone as the tracking link came through. The little blue dot showed Todd’s current location, exactly where his contact had said.
Now came the hard part.
Christopher turned to look back toward the dining room, where Gabe stood. He swallowed hard, knowing what he had to do. He had two choices, really. Knock his best friend and commanding officer unconscious. Or lock him up somewhere he couldn’t escape from, while Christopher went to get the girls.
Either way, Gabe was going to be absolutely furious when he found out. Court-martial level furious.
Christopher’s eyes caught on Jane sitting at the table, and an idea started to form. She’d been given painkillers by the paramedics before they left. Strong ones for the head injury. If he could get those into Gabe somehow...
No. That wouldn’t work. Gabe was too alert, too focused. He’d never take medication right now, not when his daughter was missing, and especially not if Christopher suggested it. That would make Gabe instantly suspicious, as he knew Christopher’s aversion to any medication.
Christopher caught Logan’s eye across the room and gestured for him to come over. Logan crossed the space quickly, moving with the quiet efficiency of someone who’d had tactical training.
“What’s up?” Logan asked quietly.
“I need to detain Gabe,” Christopher said, keeping his voice low. He explained the situation with Gabe’s leg —how he might have reinjured it, and how he wouldn’t do anyone any good if he went chasing after the girls and collapsed from the injury. Christopher might need to focus on getting the girls out safely rather than worrying about whether Gabe could walk.
Logan listened, his expression thoughtful. “Makes sense. How can I help?”
“We need to get something into him to knock him out,” Christopher said. “I was thinking Jane’s painkillers, but?—”
“I can do one better,” a voice said frombehind them.
Both men jumped slightly. Julie stood there, seemingly materialized from thin air. She pulled a bottle from her pocket and held it up. Sleeping pills.
“This will knock him out a lot quicker,” Julie said with a knowing smile.
Christopher felt a twinge of conscience. Drugging his best friend felt wrong on every level. But Gabe needed medical attention for his leg, and he needed not to do something that would get him killed. Trinity needed her father alive.
“Do you think you could...” Christopher started.
“Already on it,” Julie said, grinning like she knew something they didn’t. She inclined her head toward the kitchen. “Isabella has taken cocoa to everyone.”
Christopher shook his head. “Gabe won’t drink that. He’s too furious and eager to get going. He won’t take time for cocoa.”
Julie’s smile widened. “Leave it to me.” And then she disappeared back into the dining room as quietly as she’d arrived.
Christopher looked at Logan. “Is it just me, or is that incredibly creepy, the way Julie just suddenly appears like from nowhere?”
Logan gave a soft snort. “You get used to it after a while.” He paused, then added, “Oh, and I’m going with you.”
“No, wait,” Christopher said immediately. “I can’t involve a civilian in this. If something goes wrong?—”
“Two years Army Ranger,” Logan interrupted. “Before I settled down and became a contractor. Trust me, son, I’m no civilian. I know how to handle myself in a tactical situation.”
Christopher felt relief wash through him. Two sets of trained hands were better than one, especially hands that knew what they were doing. “Alright. Thank you.”
They turned to watch Julie work her magic.
She approached Gabe with the easy confidence of someone who’d spent decades getting people to do what she wanted. Christopher couldn’t hear the conversation, but he saw her gesturing to Gabe’s leg. Saw Gabe shake his head, probably insisting he was fine. Saw Julie’s expression turn motherly but firm.
Finally, Gabe sat down heavily, taking the weight off his injured foot. Julie handed him a mug of cocoa, and to Christopher’s amazement, Gabe took it. Started drinking while he continued speaking to Jane about every detail of what had happened on the beach.
Christopher watched as Gabe finished the drink, his eyes never leaving Jane’s face as she recounted the attack for what must have been the fifth time. He was trying to piece together a timeline, looking for any detail that might help them find Todd and the girls.
