49

 

Jamie snapped the reins and the horse sped up to a gallop.

Risking a look back, the lights in the house had come on and men were running out. Gunfire flashed in the darkness.

As she approached the end of the drive, she considered which way to go. She had no idea where they were. Civilization could be over the next rise…or fifty miles away. If she took the road, they’d be caught. The horse couldn’t outrun a car or a gun. She spurred the horse across the road and into the trees.

 

****

Enrique waited for Suzanne to disembark from the plane.

“Hopefully, the situation’s been contained and they have them in custody,” Suzanne said.

“Not to be a pessimist, but I doubt it. We would have heard something.”

“You’re right.”

A man approached them. “Agent Rodriquez?”

Enrique held out a hand. “And you are?”

“Agent Langdon. I’m here to take you to the staging area.”

“Staging area? Haven’t they gone in, yet?”

“They’re waiting for daylight.” He pointed at the lightening sky. “Almost time.”

“This is Officer Suzanne Zinkleman. Her son is the kidnapped vic…child.” Enrique introduced them.

Langdon’s face flushed red. “Oh, I’m so sorry, ma’am. It must be tough.”

“Tough doesn’t begin to describe it. Torture. That’s the only word I can use,” Suzanne said.

“I can’t even imagine, ma’am, sir. But we’re doing everything we can to find him.”

“I’m sure you will.” Her voice sounded tired, defeated.

Enrique patted her arm to comfort her. “Jamie’s tough. She’ll keep Andrew safe.”

“I wish they would have let Michael come with us. I know it’s crazy after all he did. But he makes me feel safe when he’s around.”

Enrique felt a tingle of something…would Jamie ever come to trust him that way? The knowledge of loving and being loved?

When they got to the staging area, Enrique walked up to the man who was obviously in charge. “I’m Agent Rodriquez from the Florida Department.”

The man looked to be past fifty, but he stood tall, his shoulders back, his chin up. Gray hair and a few extra pounds. Enrique assessed him at being close to retirement.

That could mean one of two things.

It could mean the man knew what he was doing with all that experience. Or it could mean that he’d grown cautious as his retirement grew closer.

Enrique was good at reading body language. This man oozed confidence. Enrique became more certain that Jamie and Andrew would be found, safe and sound.

Mentally, he acknowledged he knew nothing of the sort and that it was in God’s hands. Still, the commanding presence of the man in charge was impressive.

“Long way from home,” the man said.

“That’s for sure.”

“I thought Andrew was from Ohio.”

“He is, but…” He didn’t have time for the long version. They needed to get moving. “He is, but that doesn’t matter at the moment. This is Officer Suzanne Zinkleman, Andrew’s mother.”

The man’s gray eyes turned dark. “I wasn’t told you were coming. I can’t have you interfering. It would only put your boy in more danger than he’s already in.”

“I have no intention of doing that, but I’m here if you need me.” Suzanne answered.

“I can assure you that Officer Zinkleman has the utmost professionalism.”

The man looked at her as if assessing Enrique’s words. He offered a slight smile. “No offense intended, but you’re still the boy’s mother.”

“No offense taken. And you’re right. But I can promise I won’t do anything to put my son in harm’s way.”

“And neither will I. By the way, I’m Charlie Donaldson. I’m the man in charge.”

“OK, Man-In-Charge, what’s happening?” Suzanne asked.

“You can call me Charlie. We’re not all that formal around here.”

“OK, then, Charlie it is. You can call me Zink.”

“The target is down the road. From what we can tell, it’s a ranch house with several barns and outbuildings. It’s owned by Martha and John Winters. But the Winters retired a few years ago and moved to California to be closer to their daughter.”

“So, the house is supposedly empty?” Enrique asked.

Charlie Donaldson shook his head. “They’ve been renting the house out to a Mark Underwood and his wife, Donna. Quiet tenants who pay their rent six months in advance and always on time.”

“What did you find out about them?”

“Nothing. Which makes me mighty suspicious.” Charlie looked at his watch and motioned towards a younger man. “Chris, get Zink a cup of coffee and keep them company. Almost time to move in.”

“You can’t shut me out.” Zink protested.

“Not shutting you out, Zink. I’m keeping you safe, so I can use you when I need to.”

The two of them locked gazes.

Enrique decided to let them work it out. Besides, he had a good feeling about Charlie. He didn’t appear to be overly concerned about his retirement.

Suzanne’s body stance relaxed. “Fine, I’ll do it your way.”

“Good. As soon as the place is secure Chris will bring you in.” He looked at Chris. “But not until you hear from me personally. Got it?”

“Got it, Charlie.”

Charlie turned back to Enrique. “You’ll need a jacket if you’re coming with me.”

“Got an extra one?”

“Need a weapon?”

“I have my personal guns, but if you want me to have something bigger, you’ll need to get me one.”

“Are you certified?”

“Yes, sir. I am.”

“The name is Charlie, not sir.” He motioned to yet another man who ran off to find a jacket.

“So, what’s the plan, Charlie?”

“We’ll start with the outbuildings and move forward to the house.”

“Is that a good idea? They’re probably at the house and we might tip them off if we start with them.”

Charlie nodded. “I know. I’m hoping we can do it quickly and quietly. But if we start at the house and they’re hunkered down in one of the outbuildings they have a better chance of getting away or it turning into a bloody gun battle. It’s a judgment call. I’m not going to argue that with you.”

Enrique’s respect of the man deepened. He hadn’t been defensive and had been honest with his own self-doubt. Enrique understood judgment calls in tough situations.

There was always more than one way to handle a problem. And more than one could work. And there was more than one way for it to go very wrong, too.