Nick: Where ru?
Alex: Heading 2 freeway. Gotta go.
He turned off the phone’s screen and focused on Crawford, who was now four cars ahead. The chief was staying on course for the freeway. And once they reached the on-ramp, he entered.
Alex followed, now only two cars behind. He kept his ball cap low, even though it was next to impossible for the chief to be able to recognize him from that distance.
They stayed on the freeway for at least twenty miles. Alex glanced down at his gas gauge.
Just under half of a tank.
Hopefully, he wouldn’t need more than that.
Crawford turned off at an exit without using his blinker.
Alex was one lane over and had to whip into the next lane, barely missing a smart car, to make the exit. Now there were no cars between them. He slowed, giving ample space, and lowered the bill of his hat once more.
They went down a long two-lane road with nothing to the side other than farmland and the occasional house.
He kept watch on his gas level. It was creeping down but still above the one-quarter line.
Alex made sure to vary his distance behind the other car, creeping closer or farther away at seemingly random intervals. Always far enough behind that the chief wouldn’t recognize him. Hopefully, he wouldn’t notice it was Alex’s car. Luckily, he had a sedan that blended in with all the other cars on the road. If he still drove his old clunker, there’d be no disguising that thing.
Crawford quickly turned into a small strip mall parking lot without using his blinker.
Alex was closer at that time, and if he’d have tried to make the turn, would’ve squealed his tires and caught his boss’s attention. Thankfully, there were some other shops just past the strip mall. He turned into one of those and parked on the other side of an SUV. Unfortunately, none of the shops were a gas station.
The chief went inside one of the stores.
Alex had two choices. Sit and wait or see if his son was in the chief’s car. It risked blowing his cover, especially if Zander wasn’t there, but it was a risk he needed to take.
He cut the engine then stuck his keys in his pocket as he climbed out. Leaving the door unlocked, he closed it and crept across the street, heart thundering.
Would Crawford suddenly appear from the shop and drive off, getting away from Alex before he could get back to his car to follow him? Or would the chief return and find him snooping around his car?
It didn’t matter at this point. Alex would have it out with him then and there, if necessary. There was no more question—Crawford was the mole. And if he didn’t have Zander himself, he knew where he was.
With each step closer to his boss’s car, Alex’s breathing grew more labored.
Someone stepped out of a shop.
Alex froze, ready to bolt back to his car to chase down Crawford.
But it was only a lady wrangling two small children from a shop into a minivan.
He hurried around her, careful not to make eye contact, then made his way over to the chief’s car. It had tinted windows, and the gray weather made it all the harder to see inside.
But he was able to look in.
Zander’s bear lay on the front seat, but that was sign of the boy. There was no car seat or any other toys inside.
Alex looked around. Upon seeing nobody, he snapped a few pictures of the teddy bear. He doubted they would turn out well due to the poor visibility through the tinted window, but at this point, it was the only proof he had of his boss being involved with his son’s disappearance.
He darted back across the street to his car then slunk into the driver’s seat, trying desperately to catch his breath. His mouth was dry, so he reached into the back seat for a canned coffee he sometimes kept back there for emergencies. As he sipped the bitter drink, he looked around the SUV to watch for Crawford, who was still in the shop he’d gone into.
Minutes ticked by, but the chief didn’t return. Alex texted his new pictures to Nick while he kept on the lookout. He and Nick texted back and forth, Alex trying his best to explain where he was. Unfortunately, he hadn’t seen the exit number when hurrying off the freeway.
A full ten minutes—which felt like ten hours—passed before the chief finally exited the shop. Alex finished his coffee and put the empty can in the cup holder while Crawford got back into his car.
Three minutes later, they were both on the road again. It was only then that Alex thought about letting Zoey know what was going on. He’d been so focused on not losing sight of the chief and making sure Nick was up to date.
Too late now.
He continued down the narrowing winding road.
A forest was in the distance.
It looked vaguely familiar, though Alex couldn’t place why. Maybe he’d camped there as a child.
While still tailing Crawford—this time with a car between them—Alex paid closer attention to his surroundings. Not only to be able to tell Nick where he was, but to figure out why the area seemed familiar.
But before he could answer that question, he had to snap his attention back to the chief’s car.
He turned off the main road, heading for the woods.
Alex slowed his pace to keep a sizable distance between them, then he turned where Crawford had. The trees were a lot thicker here, and there were snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Crawford turned down another road, again not using his blinker. This time, Alex had to pick up his speed so he didn’t lose him.
It was going to be harder to follow him without being noticed. They were the only two vehicles on the road. That made it both easier and harder—easier to keep him in sight, harder to stay off Crawford’s radar.
Chapter 39
Snow had been falling steadily for a while, and it worked heavily in Alex’s favor. He’d been able to drop back completely out of Crawford’s sight. All he needed to do was to follow the tracks.
And so far, he’d been in luck. They were still the only two vehicles on the road. If he came across other tire tracks, he would be in trouble.
Every so often, he sped up to make sure he was still tailing the chief’s car, then he pulled back immediately.
At one point, his boss turned down a gravel road. The trees covered the sky, effectively keeping the snow off the road.
Meaning Alex had to stay within sight of Crawford.
But that wasn’t an option. Not at this point in the game.
Alex rolled down his windows all the way, listening to the crunching gravel. The road didn’t cross many others, but he had to make sure he didn’t miss a turn that the chief might make.
Especially with how low his gas gauge kept moving. It would be on empty before long.
Hopefully, Crawford had enough in his car. Alex would need to siphon some to make it to the nearest station to fill up once he had Zander back.
Alex’s breaths came out in puffs of white mist, and his hands were growing icier by the moment. He turned up the heat, but the sound of the fan made it impossible to hear the tires up ahead, so he turned it back down.
His nose grew cold, and he started shaking. He looked around for gloves or a jacket he could pull on, but he had neither in his car.
Alex really needed to be more prepared for times like this. Though, he fervently hoped, this would be the last such journey he had to take.
His ears perked up at the sound of a car turning up ahead. He rubbed his hands together for warmth as he kept the steering wheel steady with his knees.
A road showed up on the left.
Alex turned, slowed.
Crawford had stopped beside another car.
Alex halted.
Waited.
Footsteps sounded not far away, followed by grumbling and harsher steps.
After they faded, Alex inched forward.
Squeezed between the two cars.
He leaped out, pulled his hoodie as tight as it would go. Glanced through Crawford’s window.
The bea
r was gone. Alex snapped another picture. Tried to send it to Nick, but there was no coverage.
He raced down a narrow path.
The dirt was freshly disturbed.
Crawford had gone this way.
Alex hurried, eager to catch a glimpse of his boss while hating himself for ignoring his gut. He’d known the chief was the mole yet had listened to everyone who’d said to be careful.
But none of their children were missing, in the hands of criminals.
The chief had to be going to Zander. It was the only explanation. Why else leave with the bear? Zander had to be crying for it—and his parents. But the stuffed animal was the one thing Crawford could take to the person watching him.
Watching. Alex nearly snorted. Whoever had his son was probably barely paying attention to his needs. Just wanted Crawford to bring the bear to get him to quiet down.
Alex wasn’t going to complain.
It was bringing him closer to his son.
He couldn’t wait to hold his boy in his arms. He’d never let go.
But first he would punch Crawford senseless. And everyone else involved.
Alex continued following the path, keeping a close watch on the dirt. It was muddy in many spots, making it all the easier to see his boss’s footprints.
He’d turned left then right then left again.
Smoke tickled Alex’s nose. There was a fire somewhere.
A campfire? Fireplace in a cabin? A forest fire?
No matter what it was, Alex would find Zander and bring him home.
Nothing would get between him and his son. Not even if all the ringleaders were gathered together around the boy. Alex would kill them all just to reach his toddler.
Alex skidded to a stop as he came to a clearing. He leaped behind a tree and peeked out.
Crawford was running toward a small cabin.
It was always a cabin in the woods.
Every single time.
He shuddered as his mind brought him back to his own abduction.
Alex shoved the thoughts away. He would deal with his PTSD flashback later.
He’d certainly need to after this week.
Crawford ran to the building and pounded on the door. Yelled.
The door flung open. Another man appeared in the doorway, hollering back at Crawford.
Though the sounds reached Alex, he couldn’t make out a single word either one screamed. Both men flailed their arms around as if drowning.
Crawford shoved the bear into the other man’s chest. Pushed him inside, stormed inside himself, then slammed the door behind him.
Alex stared in disbelief for a moment before making his way down to the cabin, staying behind trees along the path. It was a roundabout route, but he was staying out of sight in case anyone inside should glance out.
He stuffed his icy hands into his pockets, only pulling them out as he needed to balance himself.
It took a few minutes, but he finally made it to the little building. There were few windows, and he made sure to avoid the ones in front. Pressing his back against the wall, he made his way around the structure.
When he came to a window, he peeked inside. A ratty curtain covered most of the view, but the gap in the middle was nearly as wide as a man’s hand. The room was small, dark, and cluttered. Nobody was in there that he could see.
He moved on to the next window, which was at the back of the cabin. He would have to climb on a pile of chopped wood to see inside. That didn’t stop him from trying.
Snap!
Heart pounding, he spun around. Didn’t see anything. But that didn’t mean he was in the clear. Someone could be hiding behind the trees.
Alex patted the gun in his pocket, ready to grab it at a moment’s notice.
He turned his attention back to the window, but still couldn’t see anything inside. Undeterred, he moved on until he came to a door with peeling paint and gashes all over it. He could always come back and climb the woodpile later if he didn’t find anything elsewhere.
A cry sounded from the other side.
He froze. Listened.
Another cry. Definitely from a child. Probably a toddler. It was too muffled to be able to tell if it belonged to Zander.
Even if it didn’t, he needed to get inside to remove the youngster from the criminals’ reach.
Alex checked again for a signal, but his phone was still out of range. He was on his own. Two against one. Maybe more.
At least Nick knew the general direction Alex had gone. Hopefully, it would be enough for the authorities to find them.
They might even be on the way at that very moment.
Not that it was likely they would find this exact road. Crawford had taken an obscure route with several unexpected turns.
Slam!
Alex reached for his gun. Held it in position. Readied it.
It sounded like the door around front.
He listened for more wailing. Couldn’t hear anything from the child, either outside or in.
No time to waste.
Alex lunged for the door, pressing his shoulder against it.
Crack!
It didn’t open, but it wouldn’t take much more.
He prepared himself and put all of his weight into the door again.
Crash!
Alex stumbled inside, shards of wood digging into his flesh. He steadied himself then looked around, his vision not yet adjusted to the dimness.
A whimper sounded to the right.
It sounded like his son.
Alex hurried in that direction, tripping over items strewn across the floor. He pulled out a pocket flashlight then held it out next to his weapon.
Footsteps.
He stopped, listened.
They were outside. Crunching on gravel.
Alex breathed a sigh of relief as he crept toward the moaning.
He cupped his mouth and whispered, “Zander?”
No response.
In his attempt to not be heard by Crawford, he’d prevented his son from hearing him, too.
Creak!
He whipped around, the beam of light illuminating the hallway behind him. It appeared empty, but Crawford or his minion could have ducked behind any of the piles of junk littering the floor.
Alex tiptoed toward the noise but didn’t see anyone. He went a little farther before turning back in the direction he was sure the crying had come from.
Crash! Topple!
As items fell to the floor behind him, Alex dodged what appeared to be a set of pool balls rolling his way.
Pulse on fire, he shone his light and gun toward the clatter. “Who’s there?”
“I should ask you the same thing.” Crawford stepped into the light, shining his own in Alex’s face. “Mercer? How the hell did you get here?”
“What are you doing with my son?” Alex marched toward the chief. “Hand him over.”
“You think I have your kid?”
Alex stopped only an inch from his boss. “I know you do. Where is he?”
Crawford stepped back. “How’d you get here?”
“Followed you. What do you think?”
He looked around. “Did anyone else?”
“Where’s Zander?”
Crawford grabbed Alex’s collar. “Is anyone else coming?”
“No. Where. Is. My. Son?” Spittle flew from Alex’s mouth.
“This way.” Crawford spun away from Alex.
Then he turned, swinging a plank of wood. Hit Alex across the head with it.
Everything went black.
Chapter 40
Throbbing on the side of his head woke Alex. He rolled over and moaned. Something smelled rancid.
He sat up, suddenly remembering he was in the cabin and Zander was nearby. He felt around for his gun and flashlight.
Gone. Of course they were. Along with his wallet and a knife he kept tucked into his shoe.
He rubbed his head. Winced at the tenderness. Crawford had given him a nasty goose egg.
Alex scrambled to his feet. Looked around. He still appeared to be in the tiny cabin. A different room, though. Probably a bedroom, given the size. At least his vision was adjusted to the dim light now. Not that it did him much good. There wasn’t anything in sight he could use as a weapon. Just piles of bedding and clothes strewn around.
He leaned over a dilapidated bed and moved aside the curtain. It looked just as bright outside as it had when he arrived, so he couldn’t have been unconscious long.
Good. Maybe Crawford was still there for Alex to pummel.
Alex pulled up his hoodie sleeves and made fists. Aside from his headache, everything else seemed to be in perfect working order.
Now it was only a matter of hunting down Crawford, beating him within an inch of his life, then finding Zander. There was also the matter of siphoning gas into his car, but that wasn’t something Alex had time to think about yet.
Now it was all about making sure his boss paid for what he did. First from Alex, then from the law. It was too bad he couldn’t let all the other parents have a shot at him, too. He would just have to make sure he doled out enough punishment for everyone.
Something tickled Alex’s nose. He sniffed the air.
Smoke.
It wasn’t strong. Like a fire in a fireplace.
Alex clenched his fists again before creeping out of the little room and looking up and down the small hallway. Aside from junk scattered around, there was nothing useful. That was fine. His hands were all the weapon he needed.
Anger burned in his chest as he marched down the hall toward the smoke. It continued to tickle his nose. He rubbed it to keep from sneezing. The side of his head throbbed, ached, and radiated heat—the wound was merely a distraction, and he refused to pay any attention to it.
At the end of the hall, he paused. Listened.
No conversation.
Just the crackling of a fire.
How cozy.
Alex cracked his knuckles before stepping into the other room.
He was alone. A couch with holes and stuffing sticking out in several places faced a roaring fire in a tiny fireplace. The flames were too big, some licking the mantle.
Alex started to clear his throat but stopped just short of making any noise. He looked around for clues of where the criminal chief or his accomplice might be.
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