Jack’s eyebrow rose. “You think you can keep it together?”
“Yes,” Reid answered, hoping once he saw Megan again that he’d be able to come through.
“It’s worth a try. If you can’t talk him down, I’ll take him out. Let me get into position before you move.”
Reid nodded and waited as Jack picked his way through the snowy, thick brush to reach a vantage point. Reid figured the odds of his plan working were slim. But they had to do something, or Megan would surely die.
Please give me the words to say that will keep Megan alive.
Jack reached a high perch and maneuvered into a prone position. He propped his arm on a stump and sighted his gun. He gave Reid a wave to indicate it was time to move.
“Please, please. Keep her safe,” he whispered as he took off.
“Smith,” Reid called out without drawing his weapon when everything in him urged him to do so. But Jack had his gun pinned on Smith and Reid trusted Jack to take him out if needed.
Smith spun, his back now to Megan. His eyes flashed in surprise, and his gaze traveled around the area.
Taking advantage of his confusion, Reid signaled to Megan to run, but she gave a slight shake of her head. Smith was controlling her, but how?
“This is over, Smith,” Reid called out. “Let Megan go and come peacefully.”
“Not a chance. I’d rather die than go back to prison. Take one more step this way, and she goes over the edge.” He jerked his thumb at Megan.
“Hold on now,” Reid said, making sure his voice sounded calm when his insides were quaking in fear.
No matter what they said, Smith would try to push Megan to her death. His best bet was to distract him so Jack could get a clean shot.
Reid stepped closer. “We can work something out.”
Smith held out his cell phone. “I mean it. One more step and I push this button.”
“Listen to him, Reid,” Megan cried, clearly in distress. “If he sends that text, Ella will die.”
So he was controlling her with his phone, and it had to do with Ella.
“How can a text kill Ella?” He shuffled a few more inches.
“Stop, Reid, please!” Megan screamed, breaking his heart. “He has a man in the hospital lobby. The text instructs him to kill Ella.”
Reid had to admire Smith’s method of controlling Megan. It was likely a scam. Russ had texted to confirm that Sydney was sitting with Ella, and he was stationed outside the PICU, protecting her. But Reid couldn’t take a chance without confirming everything at the hospital was okay.
For that, he had to buy time with Smith. “Tell you what, Smith. Let me make a call. See if we can work out a deal for you.”
Smith wetted his lips. “What kind of deal?”
“To keep you out of prison.”
“You can do that?” He bounced on his toes.
Reid nearly laughed. Of course he couldn’t do that, but if Smith thought it was possible, it would buy them some time.
Reid dredged up as much enthusiasm as he could put into his tone. “Yeah, man. Let me try. Okay?”
“Make it quick.”
Reid pulled out his cell and pressed his speed dial for Russ.
“You with Ella?” Reid asked, keeping his voice low.
