Brantley stood in front of the caseboard, skimming the details the team had put together.
It wasn’t much and nothing that was getting them closer to finding Molly or Sonny. They were off the grid, likely hiding out until the heat died down. Whether they were in town or another state was anyone’s guess. Based on their financial status, they weren’t too far away. Luca had hacked into Molly’s checking account only to find she had about two hundred dollars. They hadn’t found any accounts for Sonny—no checking, no savings, no credit cards. He had zero credit.
As for the one credit card Molly had, it belonged to her parents. There had been no charges since before they kidnapped JJ, so it wasn’t providing them with any leads.
It was frustrating, to say the least. Brantley wanted to put this shit behind him. He wanted that for JJ. She deserved to move on. Especially now that she had far greater things to worry about. Like the baby shower, which, according to Becs, Elana, and Holly—who were jointly responsible for it—needed to be moved up a few weeks just in case. Brantley didn’t know anything about that. He told them he would be there because his presence was mandatory since, apparently, it was a co-ed shower, being that Brantley was JJ’s best friend and all.
To help JJ focus on the important things, Brantley wanted to find Molly and Sonny so that Sheriff Endsley could lock them up and keep them from doing anything else that might hurt her or Baz.
“Hey, boss?” Slade called from behind him.
Brantley turned.
Slade gestured toward the television screen mounted on the wall. “Are we expectin’ anyone?”
Brantley turned and looked, moving closer to the screen when he realized cop cars were pulling down his driveway. Three of them, to be exact.
“Is that the sheriff?” Becs asked.
“No,” Evan answered, coming to stand beside Brantley. “That’s Round Rock PD. What are they doing here?”
Good question.
Brantley looked at Reese. “Let’s go talk to ’em.”
Reese nodded, then whistled for Tesha before they strolled out of the barn, curious what would bring the police to his doorstep.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Reese followed Brantley out of the barn, across the backyard toward the house. They reached the driveway at the same time six armed police officers turned the corner, guns in hand.
“Stop where you are,” one of them shouted.
Well, that was one way to introduce yourself, although Reese didn’t recommend it. Especially when you had a Navy SEAL coming at you.
As expected, Brantley went rigid beside him as they both stopped moving. Reese gave Tesha the command to heel. She did, hugging the side of his leg while they watched the cops come toward them, fanning out in an effort to surround them.
“My name’s Brantley Walker. This is Reese Tavoularis. We live here. And we’re both armed.”
Before the officers could tell them to put their hands up, Reese held his out, showing them he wasn’t reaching for a weapon. Brantley did the same beside him. Their guns were visible, holstered at their hips, in clear view for the officers.
“We’re private security,” Brantley explained. “We have licenses and credentials. Now, if you’ll tell me why you’re here.”
“Where’s Sebastian Buchanan?” the lead officer asked, his eyes scanning his surroundings.
“In there.” Brantley nodded toward the barn. “Converted to office space. We have several employees in there, including a pregnant woman.”
“Are they armed?”
“Some of them, yes. Also licensed.”
“Don’t move,” the officer snapped, then motioned for two of them to stand watch over them.
Brantley stood taller, hands still raised, taking one slow step forward. “There’s no need to go in guns blazin’. First, tell me why you’re here, and we can handle this civilly.” Brantley’s tone was cool, although Reese could feel the tension pouring off him. Obviously, he was trying to diffuse the situation to avoid accidents.
“We have a warrant for his arrest.”
“Show me,” Brantley insisted. “As I said, this is my residence.”
