“Rookie, don’t be stupid. Let me fix this. Meantime, you do whatever you’re told.”
“Frank…” Tom sounded weaker.
“Fuck you, Tom.” Sylvie had never heard her mentor sound so cold.
“Don’t worry about her phone. We have that covered. Glad we have a deal,” the man said. “I’d hate to also get your daughter involved.”
“Fuck you, too.”
“After we’re done with Tom, you run your errand. We’ll be in touch with you the whole way, let you know when it’s safe to move in. Got it?”
“Yeah. Got it.” Car keys jangled one more time and she listened to Frank’s footsteps echo as they grew fainter, then the creak of wooden steps that helped confirm she was in a basement.
Somewhere.
“Now, Tom,” the man said casually, as if he’d been interrupted during a business meeting. “I’m afraid we’re only getting started with you. We don’t like traitors, even when they’re helpful.”
Over Tom’s sobs, Sylvie heard more footsteps coming down the stairs. Two sets, maybe three. They sounded heavy, definitely men. She held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut against encroaching tears.
No time to panic.
But her chances of getting out of this were growing slimmer. This guy wasn’t with the cartel, but no way in hell was this any sort of fed operation, either. A rival gang? Who did the Sinaloa Cartel have as rivals in Colorado? No one.
He’d said Capitoline. Who or what was that? Were they really powerful enough to take a couple cops hostage, torturing one of them?
Not just torture. They’re going to kill Tom.They’re going to kill me.
She shoved those thoughts away.
Think. Capitoline. Is that what Alex couldn’t tell me about?She was starting to put things together. Capitoline wanted to send a message to Watchdog, and now this guy was going to send one through Frank. And there was some connection to the cartel, which had captured Brianna now, thanks to Tom. Tom thought this guy was with the Feds, but he wasn’t.
And Frank already knew.
What was the last thing I told Alex? Right, that I would meet him at the festival…tonight?Sylvie had no idea how much time had passed since Tom drugged her. But she’d also told Alex she was trying to go undercover. And then her call with Carla…
He might be worried. But, he also might not suspect anything for days.
“Take him in the other room where the drain is,” the man said to the others. “Oh, and I want photos of the process. We need to send a message, loud and clear.”
“No!No!” Tom screamed next to her. His begging faded as she heard the men drag him out of the room, then it completely cut off behind a heavy door.
“Now, Officer Madden,” the man said, pacing as Frank had done. “What should we do with you?”
CHAPTERTHIRTY
Hours passed as they do at night when you’re waiting for news of a loved one—long and slow. The women sat on the couch in the great room talking while Camo went from one to the next. Alex and Shane stood at the kitchen peninsula and waited for updates from Kyle.
Brock had spoken with Brian and Brianna’s mom after Brian woke up. Brian wasn’t making much sense, but from what he’d told her about his interrogation at the hands of the cartel, Brock had a good idea of where to find them—and hopefully Brianna.
Strictly off the booksKyle had said. Anyone they found holding Brianna would never see the break of day alive. And, they had no idea who they could and couldn’t trust with the police beyond George, and they wanted to keep him clean.
Please, Sylvie. Be safe. Alex willed her to contact him, but his cell stayed silent. He wasn’t the only one who couldn’t keep his attention off his phone. Shane kept checking his texts. Every now and then, he’d send one, making Alex wonder who he was contacting. As far as he knew, Shane wasn’t in a relationship, so he probably wasn’t reassuring his woman that he was at work.
Shane caught him looking and smiled. “Buddy of mine.” And that’s all he said.
Finally, Alex and Shane’s phones buzzed at the same time. The women stopped talking and looked eagerly at the two men.
Alex read it aloud. “Package retrieved. No damage. Heading home.”
