“You realize this might just be a diversion to bring you out in the open,” Will said. “Somewhere an assassin can get at you.”
“We’ll be ready if that’s the case.”
Cassidy’s hand went to her waist. The little .380 in the holster clipped to her belt felt comforting. Cassidy was a good shot, and since Beau was good at just about everything, she figured he was more than competent with the Glock he was carrying.
She thought of what Will had said, that this could be a diversion to get them out in the open, but Cassidy had a feeling that wasn’t what was going on. The guy who had tried to kill her wasn’t a professional hit man. If he had been, she would be dead.
“Be careful,” Will said.
“Count on it.” Beau hung up the phone. They needed to get to the roof of the Tex/Am building, get on the chopper,and get to Pleasant Hill. But first they needed to pick up the money.
On the way, Cassidy phoned the café. It rang four times before the call was answered.
“Pleasant Hill Café,” Josie’s familiar voice said. “I’m sorry, we’re closed.”
Cassidy felt a wave of relief that the woman wasn’t trapped in the house with a killer. “Josie, this is Cassidy Jones. Beau and I are on our way to Pleasant Hill. A problem’s come up. We need you to wait for us in the café.”
“What? We’re closed. I’m just leaving for home.”
“You can’t leave, Josie. Beau will explain everything when we get there.”
“Oh, God, something’s wrong. What is it? What’s going on?”
Cassidy glanced over at Beau, who was gripping the wheel as if he might tear it off the steering column, forcing himself to keep the Ferrari at a speed just above the limit. They couldn’t afford to be stopped for a ticket.
“We need to talk in person,” Cassidy said. “Promise me you won’t leave the café until we get there.”
“Oh, Lord Almighty—has something happened to my babies? What is it? Please, you have to tell me.”
Cassidy’s chest went tight. She didn’t want to tell the woman the two people she loved most in the world were in danger, but whatever Josie was imagining might be worse than the truth.
“They’re okay, Josie. There’s a man in the house with them. He hasn’t hurt them. He just wants money. Beau is bringing it. As soon as he gets it, the man will let Missy and Evie go.”
Josie sobbed into the phone.
“We’re coming, Josie. In the helicopter. It won’t take us long to get there. Just stay calm and everything will be okay. You hear me?”
“My girls. My sweet babies.”
“Josie, listen to me. Beau’s going to take care of everything. He won’t let anyone hurt them. You know that, right? He loves them. You just stay there. And whatever you do, don’t call the police.”
Josie whimpered.
“Promise me, Josie.”
“I’ll stay here. I won’t call the cops or nobody else.”
“Good, that’s good. We’ll see you soon.” Cassidy ended the call, wiping her eyes with the tail of her flannel shirt. When she looked at Beau, his jaw was locked tight.
“She’s okay for now,” Cassidy said. “We just need to pick up the money and get there.”
Beau sliced her a look. “There’s a chance the money won’t be enough. No way to know with a guy like that.”
“Missy said he was wearing a ski mask. That means he doesn’t want to be recognized. He wouldn’t care about that if he was planning to kill them.”
Beau’s iron grip on his jaw eased a little. “You’re right. We just need to get there.” But he didn’t sound completely convinced.
The money was waiting when he pulled the Ferrari up in front of the Dallas State Bank. The manager, sleepy-eyed and disconcerted, was there to personally hand over the heavy black canvas bag.
