“Montoya’s in business with Winston,” Maddox said. “There’s a chance whoever’s in charge of this operation is someone familiar with Winston’s properties, warehouse locations, distribution centers, that kind of thing. Could even be someone who works with Winston’s people.”
“You’re thinking they could choose someplace they’re familiar with,” Jax said.
“My dad owns a number of warehouses out in West Dallas,” Harper said. “I considered renting space from him when I first moved back to the city, but I didn’t want him keeping tabs on me. Or interfering in my business.”
“It makes a certain amount of sense,” Jason said. “Given the payback angle. What could be better than kidnapping Harper right under her father’s nose?”
Harper’s phone signaled just then, and Chase caught the panic in her eyes. It was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by the same courage he had seen in Colombia. She’d been determined to save her brother then. She’d do everything in her power to save her best friend now.
Emotion rolled through him, feelings for Harper he didn’t dare think about now.
“Stall for time,” he said. “And demand proof of life.” When the color drained from her face, he softened his tone. “Tell them you need to talk to her, make sure she’s okay.”
Harper nodded, accepted the call. Since they couldn’t risk putting the call on speaker, she held it away from her ear so Chase could listen.
“There is an empty warehouse on Singleton Boulevard.” Harper recognized the man’s voice, laced with a Spanish accent. “Your father owns it. Do you know where it is?”
“I know the area. But nothing happens until I talk to Shana. I need to be sure she’s okay.”
“You will do as I say. You will come to the warehouse on Singleton. Number 3841. If you do not, the girl will die.”
Her hands tightened around the phone. “I’m not coming unless I talk to her. Put her on the line.”
The man swore a string of Spanish curses, which the blush seeping into Harper’s cheeks said she understood. The caller spoke to one of his men, told him to bring the girl.
Chase could hear scuffling in the background. “Go to hell,” Shana said. He heard a slap, a whimper, then Shana’s shaky voice. “Harper?”
“It’s me.” Harper’s hands were trembling. “Shana, are you all right?”
Her breath shuddered, came over the line. “These guys are a bunch of low-life dicks, but I’m okay.”
“I’m coming to get you. Just stay strong.”
“Don’t do it, Harper. They won’t let either of us go. They’re taking you back to—” The phone jerked out of Shana’s hand. Chase clenched his jaw at the sound of another ringing slap.
“Don’t hurt her!” Harper shouted. “I’ll do whatever you want! Just don’t hurt her.”
“Are you still with Garrett?”
She glanced up at him with those beautiful, trusting blue eyes, and pressure expanded in his chest. “No,” she lied. “I sneaked out of his condo. He’s still not recovered from the shooting. I left him sleeping and took his car. He doesn’t even know I’m gone.”
“You have thirty minutes. If you are not here—”
“I can’t get there in thirty minutes! I need at least an hour! There’s a ton of traffic, and I’m on the other side of town. And the car needs gas. If I don’t fill the tank, I won’t get there at all. Please!”
The caller scoffed. “One hour. When you reach the address, you will turn onto the property and drive to the back. You will pull up to the gate, and we will let you in. The exchange will take place inside the warehouse. If you do not come, the girl dies. If you bring the police or your boyfriend, the girl dies.” The phone went dead.
Chase took out his cell and hit Knox Winston’s number. “I need to coordinate with your men. How many have you got lined up?”
“Two so far. I can get more. I just need a little more time.”
“Two will have to do,” Chase said. “Hold on.” Maddox set his laptop on the desk and turned it around to show Chase the Google Maps screen. He pointed to the warehouse property and what looked like a vacant lot around the corner not far away.
“There’s an empty lot on Leland Street. It’s around the corner and down a block from the warehouse you own on Singleton Boulevard. How fast can your men get there?”
“Tell me that bastard doesn’t think he can steal my daughter right off my own property.”
“Lie down with dogs, you’re bound to get fleas.”
