“That’ll work. I’ll meet you there.”
“Try not to corrupt the crime scene,” Chase said. “Maybe we can get some fingerprints, something to help us run these guys down. I’ll bring a forensics kit, whatever else we need.”
Reese nodded. “Thanks.”
“Disable your phone and make sure you aren’t tailed.”
Advice he didn’t need. The hard lessons he’d learned as a member of a teenage gang were buried but not forgotten. What he hadn’t told Griff the day of his father’s funeral was that Bass Garrett’s constant absence and the lack of any parental guidance had resulted in a year in juvenile detention.
That and a deadly car accident not even his brothers knew about had changed Reese’s life. As bad as those days had been, there were occasions like this he was grateful for the skills he had learned.
Dr. Chandler finished examining Kenzie, gave Reese a rundown on her condition, and suggested she return to her own room to lie down. Kenzie refused.
“There’s no way I can sleep. Not when my son is in danger.” She sounded stronger, only a faint tremor remaining in her voice. “I’m sure Gran has coffee made. It’s almost daylight. I’m going to put on some clothes and go downstairs.”
Reese felt a rush of admiration. Kenzie was a strong woman. She had fought the men who took her son and she was ready to do it again. She swayed as she rose from the edge of the bed and Reese slid an arm around her waist to steady her.
“You’re in pretty rough shape. You sure about this?”
“My son has been kidnapped. Those men are going to call, and when they do, I need to be ready.”
He clenched his jaw. They’d taken Griff for a reason. They’d call—sooner or later. He needed to be prepared when they did.
Kenzie leaned against him as he guided her down the hall into her bedroom, helped her sit down on the edge of the bed.
“I’ve got to go out for a while,” he said. “I won’t be gone long and I’ll explain everything when I get back. Till then, just take it easy, okay?” He leaned down and kissed the corner of her mouth, where he was sure he wouldn’t hurt her. Even battered and bruised she looked beautiful. Reese felt a twinge of desire that under the circumstances embarrassed him.
“I don’t think they’ll call for a while. They’ll want to get everything in place. But if they do, just tell them we’ll pay whatever they ask, then we’ll figure out our next move. In the meantime, I’ll send your grandmother in to help you get dressed.”
In the hall, he stopped Florence as she approached. “You need to leave Griff’s room the way it is for now. There might be fingerprints, DNA, other clues that will tell us who these men are.”
“Kenzie said they were both wearing gloves. I guess I should have mentioned that before.”
“It’s all right. We still might find something. Take care of her till I get back. Lock the doors and don’t let anyone in except me.”
Florence nodded. Her short silver hair was unkempt and circles darkened the skin beneath her pale blue eyes. She looked ten years older than she had the last time he had seen her.
“We’ll get him back,” Reese told her, his voice a little gruff.
Florence said nothing. Reese prayed he could keep his word.
TWENTY-FIVE
Mel’s Diner looked like an old railroad car, chrome with bright red trim. It sat beneath a cluster of live oaks next to a little stream. As Reese pushed through the door, he spotted Chase’s dark gold hair at a booth at the back. Reese made his way down the aisle and slid onto the red vinyl seat across from him.
“How’s she doing?” Chase turned over the china mug on Reese’s side of the table and motioned for a dark-skinned waitress with corkscrew curls to fill it up.
“Those bastards beat the hell out of her,” Reese said as the woman finished pouring and walked away. “She fought them, sliced one of them up pretty good with her house keys. Still wound up with bruised ribs, a split lip, and a black eye. Doc says she’s got a slight concussion but it could have been a lot worse.”
Just saying it had his hand tightening around the handle of the mug.
“What about mentally? She ready for what’s coming?”
“Kenzie’s strong. But she’s scared, Chase. She loves her son with everything inside her, and she’s terrified what might be happening to him.”
“She give you a description?”
“It’s pretty basic. One my height only heavier. The other short and homely, with curly black hair. She may remember more once the shock wears off.”
