Juniper stood by her side and licked her lips. Josh knew that she was feeling the tension too. They didn’t need her getting upset. “I’m not siding with him, but I understand him a little better now. That’s all. Let’s focus on one plan and then we’ll go from there.”
“Okay,” Maya said with a sigh. “I’ll go make some calls. I think I have some service by my vehicle. I’ll also radio dispatch.”
Josh watched her, Juniper, and Rory leave. He knew Maya was upset and rightfully so, but he also had started to understand Eric better than he ever thought he would. Like Eric, Josh would do anything he could to stay out of jail.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Maya and Juniper headed back to her vehicle. Rory was right behind them, not saying anything. She could probably feel the tension from Maya. Everything about this seemed wrong, but Josh was right, what else could they do? If he turned himself in, he’d be a target again at the jail. It didn’t matter if they housed him separately. Or he could be like her father and stay on the run. That wasn’t an option and Maya knew it. Eric had made it work for him, but Josh wasn’t that type of person.
When they arrived at their patrol vehicles, Maya turned to Rory and said, “I don’t know how this is going to go down. I would understand if you want to leave.”
“No, it’s okay,” Rory said. “I’d like to stay and help with this. I’ll take my chances. But you are going to call in backup, right?”
Maya gave a tight smile. At least Rory knew that they needed more manpower to do this. “Yes, I’m going to call Lucas and the FBI right now. Then I’ll make the call to set things up for this meet. But first we need more people here to help.”
“Okay, I’m staying then,” Rory said.
“Okay.”
Maya made sure Juniper was settled and then pulled out her cell phone. She was in an area that somehow had enough service to get out a call. She dialed Lucas first, but it went to his voicemail. She knew he was following up on some other things with the investigation.
After leaving Lucas a voicemail, she called Agent Mark Kessler next. He answered right away.
“Hi, Kessler, this is Maya Thompson. I have a situation.”
Kessler let out a big sigh. “I don’t suppose this is something simple like timber theft, is it?”
“I didn’t realize that was simple,” Maya said, then added, “No. I’m calling about something much more complicated. I need some help.”
She quickly filled him in from the beginning. After Maya finished, there was silence.
Then Kessler said, “I can come and help. I’ll bring some agents who have been on our HRT. Try not to kill anyone or do anything illegal before I get there.”
“Thanks,” Maya said before hanging up. HRT, or the Hostage Rescue Team, was the FBI’s version of SWAT. They would be very helpful.
Her phone buzzed again—Lucas texting that he couldn’t come because he and Pops were trying to get the gang member to talk. Maya texted him back that she had things covered. Although she’d left out a few important details—like that Eric was there too. She hadn’t told Kessler that either.
“Okay. We’re all set,” Maya told Rory. “We need to hang tight and then make contact with the senator.”
“Are you just going to call him?” Rory asked.
“Sort of. I’m going to radio dispatch in about thirty minutes that I’ve found Josh and Elena. I know the senator’s guys are listening in. I think Josh’s dad will also call the senator to say that his son has been found. Between the two calls, I know the senator’s goons will show up, but maybe Dale Bradford will also come.”
“I hope this works,” Rory said.
“Me too,” Maya answered. “Let’s go fill everyone in and get in position. The timing of all this is going to have to be just right.”
Checking on Juniper, Maya was satisfied that she was doing well and resting. They’d need to send a quick update to Spencer and ask him to wait about thirty minutes and then make the call to the senator. She texted him the story she’d made up.
Tell him that you know where Josh is and that Josh is holding Elena hostage. The only way he’ll let her go is to meet in person. Josh wants in on the cover-up and he’ll give up Elena and the evidence if they promise to make all the charges against him go away. I trust you to tell him anything you need to so that this won’t mess up a future trial.
After hitting send, Maya closed her phone. Was what she suggested entrapment? Maybe. But at this point, she’d risk it to see the senator himself show up.
They trudged back to the dorm building. Maya was aware that their footprints left a trail of clues. Could they get the goons to believe the story she was about to tell? Sell it well enough to get Dale there too and get him to admit to covering up the murder and tell them why he or one of his thugs killed his daughter?
Maya wasn’t certain any of this was going to work, but it would be the only way they might be able to talk to Dale Bradford. Otherwise, he was certain to lawyer up. Maya opened the door to the dorm area, where everyone was waiting for them. Elena was still on the couch, wrapped up in a warm blanket, a little color coming back to her face. Josh and Eric were standing but not saying anything.
“I called Agent Kessler. He’s agreed to help. We need to set this up just right,” Maya said. “I also texted your dad, Josh. He’ll reach out to the senator and say he heard from you that you’re willing to give up Elena and the evidence if the senator will make all this go away. We’ll see if we can get him to show up. Let’s all get into our positions and I’ll radio dispatch in about thirty minutes. That should give the FBI time to arrive and hopefully the people we want to join in will.”
