With slow, controlled breaths, Trevor worked to clear the horrific thought that Lexi had been killed from his brain. He stared back at Derek and waited for more. Thankfully, his friend understood.
“If you can keep him talking long enough, I can worm my way in and figure out where the signal’s coming from.”
“Then, you’ll be able to find her?” Trevor asked, feeling hopeful for the first time since Lexi had been taken.
With absolute confidence, Derek stared him straight in the eye and said, “I’ll find her.”
Looking down at Derek’s unmoving hands, Trevor blurted, “What the hell are you waiting for? Do it!”
“He’s set it up as a two-way feed,” Derek explained.
Not a tech guy, D’s words meant jack shit to Trevor. “So?”
“So, you won’t just be able to see him. He’ll also see you.”
Lexi will be able to see me, too.“Good. Great. Go for it.”
“Before I click it open, I need to know how you want to play this.”
“For God’s sake, D.” Trevor ran a frustrated hand through his hair for the millionth time that night. “I want you to hit the damn button so we can connect with the guy, find Lexi, and get her the hell outta there!”
“And I will, just as soon as I know what the plan is!” Derek yelled back.
“This is getting us nowhere,” Mac jumped in. “You both need to calm your asses down for two seconds so we can figure this out before we lose the chance to connect with him altogether.” Surprisingly, they did. Mac used the monumentally short timeframe to try to get the plan laid out.
“Derek, say what you need Trevor to know, and fast.” To Trevor, she said, “And you listen.”
“I have been listening. I just don’t understand—”
“She’s right, Trevor,” Grant joined in on the conversation. “You get one shot to save your girl. You spook this guy, and you lose your only chance to bring her home safely.”
For some reason, Grant’s words resonated with him. Drawing in a deep breath, Trevor said, “Fine. I’m listening.”
“Thank you,” Derek said to Mac and Grant. To Trevor he said, “Once we connect, he’ll be able to see you. That means, if we’re in the camera’s view, he’ll see us, too. We need to make sure we’re nowhere we can be seen. We also need to know what’s going to happen when I do find their location.”
“What do you mean?”
Derek looked at the others, then back to Trevor. “I mean, the second I get their location, we can head out and go to your girl, but...”
“But?” Trevor prodded impatiently.
“But, if you break communication to come with us, Young’s gonna know somethin’s up. If you come with us,” Derek continued, knowing what Trevor was about to say. “He’ll notice the change in background. The movement. He’ll be able to hear us talking in the background. All of that.”
“And, it’ll tip him off,” Trevor finally understood.
“Right.” Derek sighed. “Which means, you need to let us go after him while you keep him occupied as best you can. I know that sucks, and you want to be there, but finding her is more important, don’t you think?”
The reality of what Derek was saying set in. “I need to be there, D. This whole thing is happening because of me. I have to be the one who—”
“I’ll take you,” Ryker offered unexpectedly. All eyes went to him, but he was looking solely at Trevor. “Get the location. Let these guys go on ahead of us. If and when the connection with this fucker is lost, you and I will head out. I’m in my government vehicle...lights and sirens will get us through traffic in no time. I can also call ahead with the address and get back-up there, as well.” Then, with an uncharacteristically softened voice, the Homeland agent added, “I promise I’ll get you there as quickly as I can.”
From beside him, Ryker put a hand on Trevor’s shoulder and said, “I know you want to be the first one Lexi sees, but D’s right. The important thing is getting her away from this bastard.”
Still feeling torn, Trevor knew Ryker was right. They all were. Shit. “Fine.” To Derek, he said, “Do it.”
****
Aloud dinging soundfilled the small room where Lexi was being held, and she instinctively knew what it meant.
