“The hell you will.” She was already heading for her room. “Give me two minutes. I’m coming with you.”
None of the guards had seen any sign of Judd or Barry.
“I’m going to kill him,” she repeated through set teeth as they walked back to the cottage. “And if he hurts Barry, I’m going to crucify him.”
“I don’t think he’ll hurt him.”
“But you don’t know. I never dreamed he’d take him. How can I be sure what else he’ll do? The bastard is an assassin.”
“You saw something in him that made you trust him before this happened.”
“And he betrayed me. Just like Luis betrayed me.” She turned on him. “And you brought him into our lives.”
“That’s true,” he said quietly.
“You should never have—” She swallowed. “Why am I blaming you? Barry is my responsibility. I didn’t have to trust Judd. I should have seen through him.”
“I’d rather you blamed me than yourself.” He started up the porch steps. “Come on, let’s get some coffee.”
She stared at him incredulously. “Sit around and drink coffee?”
“No, sit around and wait for Judd to call.”
“I can’t sit here any longer.” Elena got up and went to the window. “What if he doesn’t call?”
“He’ll call.”
“How do you know? He won’t try to bargain with us. He’ll go straight to Chavez.”
“He said he’d call.”
“Well, he hasn’t. It’s almost dark. Barry’s been gone all day.”
“He’ll probably try to dig in and get settled first. It only seems like a long time to us.”
“It seems like forever.” Her hand was shaking as she lifted it to rub her temple. “What if Barry’s scared? What if he’s hurt?”
“It wouldn’t be to Judd’s advantage to hurt Barry. He’s a commodity now.”
“Commodity? He’s not a commodity. He’s a human being, a little boy.” She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “And he’s alone with that damn killer.”
“Listen to me. Judd isn’t going to hurt him. If he wants money, Barry has to be alive and well. That’s the only—”
The house phone rang. She hurried across the room and picked up the receiver. “Hello.”
“Hello, Elena,” Judd said. “I called on the house phone so that you and Galen could both pick up on the extensions.”
“You bastard. Where’s my son?”
“He’s safe.”
Galen disappeared into the living room and she heard him pick up the receiver. “What the hell are you doing, Judd?”
“Surviving. I told you that I was going to have to take my fate into my own hands. Logan’s taking too long. I could be dead before he’s able to get the heat off me.”
“And surviving is kidnapping Barry?”
“Surviving is getting millions of dollars from Chavez to bribe all the people I need to bribe. That kind of money can make a lot of people forget I ever existed.”
“Sweet. And trading a kid for the money is really great.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers. I never claimed to be an angel.”
“I want my son back,” Elena said. “If I don’t get him, I’ll track you down and slit your throat.”
“Always the gentle lady,” Judd said. “I don’t blame you. I didn’t call to make excuses. I wanted you to know that Barry has nothing to fear from me. I like the kid. He’s not scared and he’s having a fairly good time.”
“You’re lying.”
“No, he thinks he’s on an adventure and that you know all about it.”
“What?”
“I lied to him. I talked him into coming with me. He didn’t think it was that odd, considering you’d made a lot of hasty exits lately. I told him we were pretending to be Indians. He thought it was fun sneaking out in the middle of the night. He grabbed his bow and arrows and crept down that hall like a second-story man.”
“You lied to him?”
“Would you rather I’d chloroformed him and taken him by force? This is much better for him.”
“You were planning this when you made that bow and arrows for him. My God, and I was grateful to you.”
“Bring him back, Judd,” Galen said.
“Sorry. I want to stay alive.”
“You’re going to sell him to Chavez?”
“Chavez won’t hurt him. It’s Elena he wants to kill.”
“You can’t do that,” Elena said.
“Look at it my way. I’m on borrowed time. If I don’t do it, they’ll catch up with me and kill me. If I do it, the kid will be upset, but he won’t die. You may even have a chance to get him away from Chavez after I pick up my money.”
“It will make it a thousand times harder,” Galen said.
“You always liked a challenge,” Judd said. “Elena, I’m going into the next room so you can talk to Barry. I’ll be listening on the extension, and if you ask him any questions I’ll take the phone from him. I don’t want to do that. I want to keep him calm and happy. Let him think that you know all about our little adventure and that you couldn’t be more pleased about it.”
“Go to hell.”
“You’re upset. Think about it. I don’t want Barry scared and neither do you. It’s up to you to save him from that.”
Elena was so angry that she couldn’t speak for a moment. “How do you think he’s going to feel when you turn him over to Chavez? He’ll be terrified.”
“I know. I don’t like it. So let’s put it off for as long as possible. Will you talk to Barry?”
There was no other choice. But she would try to get as much as she could from Judd. “I’ll talk to him. But not only today. I want you to call me every day and let me talk to him. I want to know he’s safe.”
“And try to find out from him where we are?” He suddenly chuckled. “Good idea. Okay, but it won’t do you any good. We’ll be moving around.” She heard a door open. “Hey, scout, want to talk to your mama?”
Barry was laughing as he came on the line. “Mama, you should be here. I saw lions and tigers. And there were monkeys and funny men in skirts.”
“I’m glad you’re having a good time, baby.”
“But when are you coming?”
“I’m a little busy right now. Are you okay?”
“Sure. Judd and I are going to go to a carnival tomorrow night. He said there are Ferris wheels and crack-the-whip and booths where you can win prizes. He’s going to buy me cotton candy.”
“That’s nice. Don’t eat too much.” Dammit, she was starting to cry. “I love you, Barry.”
“Mama?”
“Galen’s on the line,” she said hurriedly. “He wants to talk to you. Galen?”
“I’m here, Elena.”
“Good-bye, Barry. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She hung up and closed her eyes. Damn Judd. Damn him to hell.
“Barry sounds okay,” Galen said as he came back into the room. “Happy as a lark.”
“Why shouldn’t he? He thinks he’s on this grand vacation. Which will end abruptly when Judd sells him to Chavez.”
“Judd’s a hard nut, but he’s fighting for his life.”
“Don’t you defend him.”
“I’m not defending him. I’m trying to explain his thinking. I’m mad as hell at him.”
“Then let’s go after him.” She sank down into a kitchen chair. “If he’s making a deal with Chavez, then he’ll want to remain in the general area. Barry said he’s going to a carnival tomorrow night. How can we find out where there are carnivals playing in the Southeast?”
“Local licensing bureaus? Internet? I’ll try both.”
“He talked about lions and tigers. Could they be near a wildlife park?”
“If they are, then it will narrow the field down.”
“Is there a computer here at the cottage?”
“Yes, it’s in our hostess’s, Eve’s, workroom. Can you use a computer?”
He checked his watch. “They’ll be closed now. We may have to wait until tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to wait until—” She was being unreasonable. It was just that she didn’t know how long this was going to take. “You’ll call them as soon as they open?”
“You know I will.”
Yes, she knew he would be on top of everything. “Then I’ll go to work on the Internet. Maybe there will be some carnivals listed there too.”
“It probably depends on how small they are. We do have twenty-four hours. But you have to realize that we may miss him. Judd said he’d be moving around.”
“It will at least give us a starting place. I can’t just sit here.”
“I know.” He paused. “We do have another option if we don’t find Judd. We can go and stake out Chavez.”
She stiffened. “What?”
“He’s on a yacht cruising the Florida coast.”
“And how long have you known this?”
“Since just before we went to Orlando.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” She studied his expression. “You were going after him yourself.”
He didn’t answer.
“Dammit, I don’t want you to protect me.”
He nodded. “Suppose we skip past history and concentrate on finding Barry. I thought you’d be glad to know we have another possibility.”
She was very glad, and her annoyance and indignation paled in comparison. “Don’t do it again. Everything has to be open and aboveboard.”
“It will be.” He reached out a hand in comfort but dropped it before touching her. “But remember, I care about Barry too. I’ll do everything I can, as quick as I can.”
“Thank you, I know you will,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot in the last few days, and you sure as hell didn’t need this.” He turned and went back into the living room. “I have to go and talk to the security guys and tell them to be on the alert. I don’t think we’re in any danger of Judd selling our location to Chavez, since it’s Barry who’s the cash cow. But it doesn’t hurt to take a few precautions. Then I’ll get on the phone and call the newspapers and see if they have any listings or advertisements for carnivals.”
She was glad he’d left her alone. She needed a moment to get herself together. She was just barely holding on to her composure. Galen was doing everything he could, and she shouldn’t have spoken that harshly. It was just that—
Barry.
Oh, God, don’t fall apart. Get busy. They had a chance of finding Judd.
Would it be in time?
“Chavez? This is Judd Morgan. You don’t know me, but we’re going to do some business.”
“You’re right, I don’t know you from Adam, and I don’t do business with people I don’t know. How did you get my phone number?”
“Sean Galen.”
There was a silence. “Let me talk to him.”
“That’s not possible. We’ve parted ways, but I took a good-bye present. Five years old, cute little tyke.”
Another silence. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not lying. Do you know what the kid looks like?”
“I’ve seen pictures of him.”
“Then you’re going to receive another one by FedEx tomorrow. This one has Barry holding today’s paper. Get out your magnifying glass and check the date.”
“You’re offering to sell him to me.”
“If the price is right. If not, I’ll send him back to Elena. I grew very fond of her in the past few weeks. It will take a good deal of money to soothe my conscience.”
“Who are you?”
“You have my name. It’s not a false one. I’m sure you’ll have checked me out by the time you receive the photo.” He paused. “You want other ID? I was the shooter at the Kissimmee Hotel. I took down two of your men besides Luis Kyler.”
“Then why did you change sides and take the boy?”
“Because you’re a man who knows that loyalties last only as long as there’s a profit to be had.”
“And what price do you want for my son?”
“We’ll discuss that when I call back tomorrow. I want you to know that I have the merchandise and I can deliver.”
“It could be a trap.”
“Then I’ll give you the same advice you gave Elena when you set up Luis. Protect yourself. You want the boy, I want the money.” Judd hung up and leaned back in the chair.
That was the first step, and it had gone as he thought it would. Chavez was suspicious, but that would be partially erased when he saw the photograph. After that, it would come down to negotiations. Christ, he hated dealing with that slime-ball.
But he had dealt with snakes like Chavez before and for less return.
Elena and Galen didn’t get the information they needed until the next evening.
“Three touring carnivals operating in Georgia, one in Alabama and one in North Carolina, none in South Carolina or Florida,” Galen said. “And the only one near a wild-game park is the one outside Birmingham, Alabama.”
“How far is Birmingham?” Elena asked.
“About two and a half hours’ drive.”
“Then why don’t we fly?”
“By the time we get to the airport, find a flight, and arrange for a rental car in Birmingham, we could be there already.”
“Then let’s go.” She headed for the door. “It’s only six o’clock. We might be able to catch—”
“It’s a long shot, Elena.”
“I don’t care. Do you have a better idea?”
He shook his head. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“Hope is all I’ve got. I’m not going to give it up.” She opened the front door. “I’m going to Birmingham.”
“And I’m going with you.” He followed her out to the porch. “You need to remember that Judd heard everything Barry said to you. He might not even take him to the carnival.”
She had already thought of that possibility. “He’s trying to keep Barry so happy that he won’t have time to question anything Judd says or does. An outing like that is a big thing in a little boy’s life. He won’t want to disappoint him. I think he’ll try to take him, even if it’s only for a short time.” Her lips twisted bitterly. “I’ve never had an opportunity to take Barry to a carnival. I’m going to owe that bastard for cheating me of that too.”
“Hey, big deal. We’ll take him to Disney World when we get him back.”
When, not if?
“We’ll get him back,” he said quietly to her unspoken question. “Even if we have to take him away from Chavez.”
“If Chavez gets him out of the country, it will—”
Galen’s phone rang. “Galen.” He handed the phone to Elena. “Chavez.”
She slowly raised the phone to her ear. “You bastard.”
“Why are you so upset with me? It was your dear brother who killed his old mentor.”
“You’re the one who put a gun in his hand and gave him enough heroin to make sure he wouldn’t care if he killed his sister or a man who had been nothing but a friend to him.”
“Luis wasn’t supposed to kill Dominic Sanders. I was expecting you to show up at the hotel and I told Luis it was his job to take care of you. Those drug addicts never get anything right.”
She was so angry that she had to wait before replying. “You didn’t get it right either. Luis is dead, and I have no reason to talk to you again.”
“That was unfortunate. But you took out two of my men in exchange. I never expected you to have a marksman on call. He was extremely gifted. Galen?”
“No.”
“Then who was it?”
“Why do you want to know? Do you want to put out a contract on him?”
“Just curiou
s. How is my son?”
“He’s not your son.”
“I have an idea he will be soon. What do they say about possession?”
“And I’m in possession.”
“Are you?”
“Yes, dammit.” She hung up and looked at Galen. “I think Judd has already contacted him. He was feeling me out. Christ, Judd’s moving fast.”
“Then we’d better do the same.” He started down the steps. “Come on, let’s see if we can find that carnival before it closes down for the night.”
14
The carnival grounds smelled of cotton candy, popcorn, and the sweat of the crowd milling about the booths. The shrill sound of the calliope grated on Elena’s nerves as her gaze searched desperately.
“Where do we start?” Elena murmured. “The Ferris wheel. He mentioned the Ferris wheel.”
“As good a place as any.” Galen grabbed her elbow and was already pushing her through the throng. “You have his picture to show people?”
She nodded, her gaze anxiously searching the crowd. Where are you, Barry? Where are you, baby? She looked up at the giant wheel, trying to see if he was in one of the boats. She couldn’t see the one that had stopped on top.…
The wheel started again and the occupants of the top boat came into view.
Two teenage boys.
“Let’s go,” Galen said. “We’ll split up. You start at the shooting booth and I’ll scout the opposite direction. We’ll meet at the front entrance.”
“Right.” She was already moving, searching, listening for Barry’s voice in the crowd. She passed a catch-the-fish booth, a tent advertising hoochie-coochie dancers, a spinning-cup ride. Where was he, dammit?
It took only fifteen minutes to make her way back to the ticket booth at the front entrance.
“Nothing?” Galen asked.
She shook her head dejectedly. “Maybe we were wrong about this being the carnival. Or it could be that—”
“Jesus.” Galen’s hand closed on her arm. “That’s Judd’s truck pulling out of the parking lot.” Galen was running toward their car. “He must have seen us. He’s peeling out.”
Elena looked over her shoulder as she jumped into the passenger seat. She caught a fleeting glimpse of a black truck with two occupants. One man, one little boy.
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