44

 

Jamie whirled around, her arms tightening around Andrew.

The well-dressed man from the plane stood there, his face a mask of anger. “I guess it’s a good thing I came to check on the two of you.”

She half-tossed Andrew to the floor. As she came back up, she kicked at the man, her foot landing right in his solar plexus. He gasped and bent over. She kicked out once again and managed to land a blow to his head. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Time to leave.

She picked Andrew up and ran out into the darkness.

Andrew’s arms tightened and he sobbed.

“Shhh…baby, we have to be quiet. Shhhh…”

He choked, his breaths coming in short little gasps.

Even as she hugged him, her gaze quickly took in their surroundings searching for a way out. A ranch style house. She wouldn’t find safety there. No other nearby houses to run to. No one stood around outside, either. An SUV was parked nearby.

Maybe the keys would still be in it.

She had to take the chance. Jamie sprinted to the car and opened the door. Keys. She tossed Andy in the passenger seat even as she was climbing in.

A hand grabbed her from behind. She fought against the man as she screamed, “Run, Andy. Run.”

The little boy opened the door on his side, hopped out, and ran into the darkness.

“Bobby. Bobby.” The man screamed for the others.

Jamie struggled against the arms that imprisoned her, but he was much stronger. The longer she fought the more time Andrew had to escape. Way too soon, the thug had her arms pinned behind her back, not allowing her to move.

Bobby came running up to them. “What’s going on?”

“The boy got away.”

“What?”

“You heard me. He went towards the road. Get out there and find him.”

Bobby ran into the darkness.

The man’s arms relaxed. With all her strength, Jamie knocked her head into his face. He cursed at her. Still in his grasp, she turned towards him. Blood gushed from his nose. She punched him in the stomach, and then pushed hard.

He toppled.

She ran.

People yelled.

A war battled inside her. Go towards Andrew, or lead them away from the little boy?

The men would be much angrier now—and more dangerous. Especially the one whose nose she’d broken.

Sorry, baby. I need to give you the best chance we have. God, protect Andrew. She veered to the left. A grove of trees came into focus.

Andrew screamed and then Bobby yelled out. “Got him.”

“Where’s the woman?” The businessman must have regained consciousness.

“She got away.”

“How’d that happen?” someone else asked.

“Don’t worry about how it happened, just find her.” The businessman’s voice was rough with anger.

She didn’t come this way,” Bobby said. “Take the boy back, and I’ll hunt for her. And when I find her she’s gonna be so sorry.”

“Fine with me. We don’t need her. It’s the little boy we need. Just find her before she causes more problems for us.”

Jamie made her way through the trees circling back towards the house. There was no way she was leaving Andrew with these men, but they didn’t know that. They would think she’d deserted him. She hoped.

 

****

 

Michael was ahead.

Enrique followed him into the FBI offices in Columbus, Ohio. He’d be glad to have this part of the assignment over. The other team would take over and he could concentrate on finding Jamie.

She still hadn’t returned his calls.

He prayed he hadn’t blown his second chance. There wouldn’t be a third chance.

A woman dressed in a power suit approached him. Her brown hair was pulled back into a severe looking ponytail. Along with the horn-rimmed glasses, she had a no nonsense attitude about her. “Special Agent Rodriquez?”

“That’s me.” He shook hands with her.

“I’m Annette Downey. Any problems during the transport?”

“None at all.”

“Good to hear. Follow me, please.” The agent led them to a conference room and held the door open.

Suzanne Zinkleman charged towards her husband.

Annette grabbed her arm. “Suzanne, calm—”

“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down. Not after what he’s put me through.” She shrugged the agent’s arm off.

Enrique removed his hand from Michael’s arm and stepped back.

Suzanne deserved her moment with her ex.

Michael stepped forward as if ready to accept her rage.

She skidded to a stop in front of him. Her hand moved upwards as if to slap him, but stopped. Instead, she stared at him. “How could you do this to me? I thought you loved me.”

“I do—”

“Don’t you dare say those words to me. And don’t touch me.” She backed up. “You have no right.”

“Suzie, you don’t understand.”

“I understand enough to know that you didn’t trust me.”

Enrique caught Annette’s gaze. “I think we should give them a moment alone, don’t you?”

“No, I do not think so. Their personal lives are of no concern to me. We need to focus on finding Andrew.”

“I don’t think either one of them will be able to concentrate on anything until they have a few moments to themselves.”

She glared at him, but nodded.