45

 

Jamie hid behind the barn.

The two pursuers tromped through the trees yelling back and forth. Their frustration mounted. The other man, the one in charge, was in the house with Andrew. House lights peeked through the wooded area. So close. A stone’s throw away and it might as well be the moon.

But Jamie wasn’t leaving without Andrew.

She could handle three men. If there were more, wouldn’t they be out hunting for her? She slipped out from the safety of the darkness and made her way to the front of the barn. She had to be sure Andrew wasn’t back there before she went to the house. She slipped inside the barn. Going from stall to stall, all were empty except the last three.

A horse whinnied. The animal moved closer and nuzzled the hand she held out. “Gotta go, fella. No time to play with you.”

He whinnied once again as she moved away.

She needed to arm herself before she went into that house. There had to be some tools that could be used as weapons. She moved to the tack area. Tools, saddles, and tack were neatly stored, some hanging on walls, some in areas made for their storage. An awl sat out on the workbench. Great, it could flatten the tires on the cars. And there was the weapon she’d been looking for.

A pellet gun.

Most barns had them to kill rats and mice. It wouldn’t kill a man, but it could slow them down enough to give her time to get Andrew away if an opportunity presented itself. And she was determined to make that opportunity happen.

She slid the pellet gun in her waistband and picked up the awl.

Time to find Andrew.

She made her way to the front of the barn but stayed hidden in the shadows as she assessed the situation.

No people around, but the two vehicles were still parked in the drive. The SUV and another car. She peeked in the SUV. The keys were still in it. After pocketing them, she made her way to the other car. Another SUV. A peek inside showed no keys. Good.

She pulled out the awl and poked it into the tire. The hiss of air sounded like an explosion to her. She waited, but no one came out of the house. She moved to the next tire and the next.

The thugs would not be able to use the cars to chase anyone down.

Time to go into the lion’s den.

She straightened up and stared at the house.

A wraparound porch surrounded the ranch-style home. She moved onto the porch, but paused at the back door and listened.

A muted voice.

She peeked in a window.

The man whom she’d attacked stood there with a phone, holding a cloth to his nose. His voice was angry, though she couldn’t make out the words. He leaned against a pine kitchen island that was the centerpiece of the room. The island was littered with Chinese takeout containers and beer.

Her stomach rumbled as she stared at the mess. It had been hours since she’d eaten. She moved away from the window and back towards the door. She was hoping to hear what the man was saying. From her position, she couldn’t see him, but she had a view of part of the kitchen.

“Look, I’m going to let you listen to him. Then you’ll have until noon tomorrow to transfer the money. After that, you’ll see your son. Whether he’s alive or dead when you see him is up to you.” His words were delivered without an inkling of emotion.

A chill went up her spine. Jamie had no doubt he’d meant every word.

He came into view as he opened a pantry door. He knelt down. “Andrew, yell something so your daddy can hear you.”

“Daddy. Daddy. Where are you? I’m scared. Jamie promised to keep me safe, but I don’t know where she is.”

The man stood up as he disconnected. His expression was seething as he slammed the pantry door shut and locked it.

 

****

 

Jamie promised to keep me safe, but I don’t know where she is.

Enrique’s blood ran cold.

The group around the table stared at each other.

Suzanne was the first to break the stunned silence. “Jamie’s with him. How did that happen? I thought she just missed the flight back.”

“I have no idea, but that’s good news for Andrew.” Enrique pushed aside his personal feelings to comfort Suzanne. And bad for Jamie. “I know she’ll do everything in her power to keep him safe.”

“I know that, too. But Andrew said she wasn’t with him now. Did they separate them? Or…” She stopped speaking, an awkward expression on her face.

“She probably got away and is now planning a way to rescue him.” Michael offered to the group.

Worried silence filled the room.

Enrique stood. “I’m going back to Jackson Hole. That’s the last place she was. Chances are that’s where they are.”

Bob Nelson, the agent in charge, shook his head. “We don’t know that. They told us to come back to Ohio. If she’s with them it’s more likely she’s here—in Ohio.”

Annette nodded her agreement. “She has a cell phone. Let’s see if we can find her that way. But our focus stays on Andrew.”

Anger seethed in Enrique. “What about Jamie?”

Annette met his gaze and she shrugged. “What about her? She knew the risks. She wasn’t given any guarantees. Besides, we’re not abandoning her. That’s not what I meant.”

Enrique’s blood boiled.

Bob Nelson held up a hand as if to stave off the argument. “Look, that’s not what Agent Downey meant. I’m sure Jamie’s with the boy. Let’s see what our tech guys can find out. Gotta number for her?”

After Enrique gave him the number, Bob went out.

How had this happened? He shouldn’t have left Jackson Hole without Jamie. He should have waited for her to call him back. He looked across the table at Suzanne and Michael.

The two of them sat side by side. Michael’s hand was on her arm, comforting. The two seemed united in their worry over their son. It appeared as if Suzanne had forgiven Michael’s transgressions. Could she really forgive him for what he’d done—even if he had a good reason?

Could Jamie…would Jamie forgive him, yet again?

Suzanne looked at him. “Jamie’s tough. She can take care of herself.”

“I know.” Enrique felt moisture in his eyes and blinked hard. “But I wish I was there to help her.”

“I take it there’s more than a working relationship between the two of you.” Her violet gaze pierced his soul.

Enrique snorted, even laughed a little. “I wish. That’s what I want, but circumstances keep getting in the way.”

She nodded, her eyes filled with tears. “If Michael and I can find a way back to each other, then so can the two of you. No matter what the circumstances. We’re getting both of them back. And you’ll have that second chance.”

Enrique sent a desperate prayer, a plea to God, hoping Suzanne was right.