39
The phone call came after Jamie left.
Enrique hadn’t even gotten Michael in the car yet.
“Why aren’t you listening to me?” Zinkleman was screaming into the phone. “I don’t have your money. Someone stole it, and I have no idea who it was.”
“That’s too bad. Your son is a real sweet boy. I would hate to have to hurt him, but I will. I want my money. I don’t care how you get it, just give it to me, and then you can have your son back.”
“I don’t have it.”
“I don’t care. Get me back my million dollars or your son is dead.”
“Please don’t kill him. He didn’t do any—”
“We’ll contact you tomorrow. In the meantime, you should get yourself back to Ohio. That’s where I want you. The next time I call you better have good news about my money, or I’ll be giving you some very bad news.”
“I want to talk to my son.”
No response.
He repeated his request.
Enrique put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “They hung up.” He set the phone on the desk.
“Now do you believe me?’
“I do.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Find your son.” He’d find that boy for Jamie, and for Suzanne Zinkleman, and even for Michael.
“I told you I wasn’t lying.”
“So you did.”
The phone rang.
“Rodriquez.”
“We couldn’t trace the call. They didn’t stay on long enough.”
“Did you hear the conversation?”
“We did. So, get him back to Ohio pronto. The team has already changed their route and will meet you in Columbus. Sounds like that’s where they have the kid.”
“It could be a ruse to throw us off their tracks.”
“Could be, but we can’t take any chances. They told him to come to Columbus so that’s what he’s going to do. Finding Andrew Zinkleman is our top priority. That means we follow their instructions.”
But Jamie’s instincts were usually on the mark.
“I think we need to stay in this area. They have to be here. They killed Ryan and kidnapped Andrew here. They’re here. I’m sure of it.”
“Not your call. Get him back to Ohio. And no handcuffs or any other sign that he’s under arrest. They probably have someone watching him. They need to think it’s him working alone. No sign of the FBI.”
“I agree with that, but still I think we should stay here.” He was beginning to understand why Jamie disliked playing by the rules.
“Not going to happen.”
****
Jamie drove into the parking lot of the Jackson Hole Airport. Maybe she should call Enrique. Just so he’d know where she was—not because they had a relationship. Her mind rebelled. Dropping the phone back in her purse, she walked towards the main building. It looked more like a ski resort with its glass windows and beautiful wooden exterior.
She went to the customer service desk. “Is this where private planes land?’
“Yes and no. They land on the other side of the building, but they still exit through here. So if you’re here to pick someone up they’ll show sooner or later.”
“Who do I talk to about a private plane that landed here?”
“That would be the Chief of Operations Officer. His office is on the second floor.” He pointed at a wide staircase.
“Great.”
She headed away from the stairs.
“No, his office is that way.” The man pointed.
“I know. I just want to take a look around first. Thanks. I’ll be back.” She waved and trotted off towards the private plane area.
The glass-encased building allowed her to see most of what was happening outside. There was a large hangar obviously for plane owners in the area. The planes were all sizes and few had commercial markings. Several stood near the building, but more planes were further down the tarmac.
Two men walked around one plane, one man holding a clipboard. Some sort of pre-flight check? Each time he looked at something he turned to the other man.
It was time to go find someone in authority who could tell her what plane Ryan flew in.