by Dale Mayer
Dean shook his head. “None of my friends would do this to him.”
“No, but he doesn’t know that.”
“Damn it.” He pulled the truck onto the main road and took two turns to find the road already blocked with cops. His spirits brightened. “Good, they’re here already.”
“Has an Amber Alert gone out?” Tia asked.
“Doing that right now. I have to confirm the description of the clothes he’d been wearing.”
Stefan smiled. “Spider-Man pajamas.”
“How did you know?” Dean glanced over at him warily. The things this man could do were freaking scary, but he was damned glad to have his help. “Where do we meet your hunter?”
“Hunter is on his way. He won’t bother you. He needs to get the scent, then he’ll take off again.”
“Oh, he uses dogs.”
“No,” Stefan said with a smile. “He’s just very smell and instinct oriented. Trust me, he’s good at what he does.”
Dean wasn’t going to argue. If he had everyone out looking they’d find Jeremy easier and faster. Every moment counted. He pulled into the driveway and parked.
His mother detached from a large group of people and ran towards him, waving her hands, tears running down her cheeks.
“I’m so sorry,” she cried out. “I don’t know how he got in. The doors were locked, the security system was on, but this morning I found it off and the door open. I don’t know how anyone could steal a child.”
Dean took her in his arms. “It’s not your fault, Mom. If someone wanted to get in, they’d get in regardless. I’m grateful they didn’t hurt you in the process.”
But that’s not what she wanted to hear. “Maybe if they’d hurt me they’d have left him behind.” The floodgates burst, and she buried her face against his chest.
He wanted to do the same thing but couldn’t afford to indulge. The longer it took to find his son, the harder it became.
“I have to go inside,” he told her gently, giving her a hug. “Tia is going to sit with you while I talk to the men.”
*
Tia stepped up and wrapped an arm around the woman, leading her inside to the living room of the small bungalow. The woman let herself be seated, although she curled up into a ball and rocked herself back and forth. “I’ll make us a cup of tea,” Tia said, not knowing how to help but needing to do something. Was there anything but tea to offer? She figured a hefty shot of brandy might do the trick, but if one wasn’t used to it, it could be hard to get down.
Dr. Wilhelm had run a series of tests with her and various alcohols in an attempt to determine what helped and what hindered her abilities. None hindered the abilities, but too much affected her ability to control them. Duh.
He’d been consistent though in figuring out what affected her and what didn’t. She couldn’t do hard liquor at all. She’d gotten violently ill. A glass of wine was fine. But she didn’t drink alcohol so none of it was a problem.
While the water was boiling, she stared out the window, watching men search the property and the neighborhood around her. Small picket fences dotted the backyards and every yard was being systematically checked.
Stefan walked into the kitchen. “Are you okay?” he asked. “We can’t forget your own health in this emergency.”
“I’m fine.” She snorted. “Sure, as long as I don’t focus on the fact that this happened because of me.”
“Not because of you. He’ll do whatever he needed to do to get at you. If this works, he’s happy. If it doesn’t, he’ll try something else.”
“Then let him have me,” she whispered. “Use me as bait to get Jeremy back. I can’t live with that on my conscious.”
“It’s too early for that, let Hunter do his thing first.”
She stared at him in surprise. “Hunter is his name?”
Stefan nodded. “It’s the one he’s used for a long time.”
“And he does this for a living?” Her curiosity of the man who hunted and belonged to Stefan’s group piqued. Disgruntled, she realized she wanted to belong to his group. Or might if she knew what it was.
“It’s for people like us,” he offered as if understanding her thoughts, or had he read her mind? “We help each other and learn from each other. Several work with me on cases, and others I call on when I need a specialist.”
“Like Hunter.”
“Like Hunter.” Stefan gave a small smile. “In truth Hunter would be pissed if he wasn’t in on this one. It’s right up his alley. He’s on a mission to eradicate assholes like this one from the world.”
“Then he has no family,” she said. “There’s no way he could do this kind of intense work if he had a wife and children.”
“True. That would be a weakness to him. Something others could use against him.”
“And he’d be right.” Dean glared at Stefan. “That’s exactly what’s happened here.”
“It is, but Hunter has already tracked them away from the house.” Stefan waved an arm in the direction of the search going on around them. “This needs to happen just in case, but Hunter is already moving toward his target.”
Tia gasped. “You mean he’s found Jeremy?”
Stefan shook his head. “Not yet, but he’s tracked them to Minion Mall.”
“Why there?” Dean asked, pulling out his phone. “I need to talk to the captain. Get a team to go.”
“Sure you do,” Tia said. “But you also have to trust in Stefan. If he says Hunter is on the trail I’d be inclined to believe him.”
Tia glanced over at Stefan. “We can go there, can’t we?”
Stefan nodded. “And we need to go now.”
Dean shook his head. “No. I’m bringing a team.” He glared at Stefan. “No way is this guy getting away with this.”
“You’re forgetting something, Dean,” Tia retorted. “I can go places most cops can’t. I could go in and get out without being seen.”
*
Dean spun and stared at her. His heart in his throat. It never occurred to him she could do something like that, but that was, in fact, exactly what she’d been doing all along.
“Holy crap.” With a question in his eyes, he raised his gaze to Stefan.
Stefan nodded. “Yes, she should be able to do that just fine.”
Hope bloomed. “That would be huge.” Then reality set in. “But only if we know where he is.”
“I’d trust Hunter if I were you.” Tia said.
“Why is that?” he said, his voice dry. “I thought you didn’t trust Stefan.”
“I’m getting there,” she muttered.
Stefan turned away. Dean watched as his gaze defocused as if he’d been talking to someone telepathically.
Then Stefan straightened. “McDonald’s. They are in the restaurant at the mall.”
Dean stared, his mind slow to process, and then he got it.
Chapter 20
Tia watched Dean rush toward her and Stefan. “We’re taking my truck. Let’s go.”
They packed into the truck and took off with gravel spitting behind them. The mall was only a few blocks away. At the entrance, Dean slowed down and crept to the restaurant.
Stefan said, “Easy. We don’t want anyone to know we’re here. Hunter is inside. He needs time to scout out the place.”
“Is my boy there?” Dean’s voice was thin, thready.
Stefan hesitated, Tia turned to look at him. Then he gave a decisive nod.
“Do you have a photo of him,” Tia asked quietly.
Dean shuffled papers beside him. He picked up his cell phone and held it back for her. His son’s bright smile shone from the background. He was missing a front tooth. The twinkle in his eyes as he hugged his stuffed rabbit made her grin.
“Okay, I’ll go see what I can see.”
“Don’t do anything stupid. If Hunter is correct and he’s there, we have to stop this from becoming a hostage situation.”
She snorted, hopped out and slammed the truck. Walking casual
ly up to the side door she realized this guy would be looking for her so incognito started now. Up against the side wall, she rested her back to the wall and closed her eyes.
It helped to be able to pull her camouflage trick in private. Someone might be watching her, in fact, she sensed both Dean and Stefan’s gazes. She frowned. Stefan was a whole lot closer than the truck. She shifted and opened her eyes. Stefan stood beside her, waiting.
Ready, he asked in her mind.
Surprised but willing she nodded. I am.
Let’s go.
He waited for the next people to arrive at the door and both slipped inside behind them. Standing at the entrance Tia studied the packed restaurant. I can’t see him.
Hunter said they are in the corner by the washroom.
They moved through the restaurant, her gaze darting from side to side. Is Hunter here?
Yes.
Can you see him?
No one sees Hunter unless he wants to be seen.
Sounds like my kind of guy.
Very different abilities.
Hmmm. She couldn’t image. There!
She could see the little boy, he was stuffing a french fry in his mouth and trying to share with the rabbit. He’s got his bunny with him.
According to Dean, he takes it everywhere.
Good, it helps identify him.
She froze. I don’t see his kidnapper.
Stefan sucked in his breath. It could be a trap. Don’t move.
I’m not, but you know the choices are limited.
No. We have more than you think, he warned. Don’t do anything stupid.
Not going to. But she had to save the little boy. He’d been taken because of her. She studied the other patrons. He’s on the other side, about four booths behind Jeremy. I think I saw him on the street six weeks ago when I was attacked.
Must be him.
Or a coincidence.
No such thing, Stefan said flatly. I’m telling Dean.
Good, you do that. I’m getting Jeremy. And she slipped away.
*
Dean hated waiting. This was too damn important. It was his boy. Guilt ate his insides. He should never put his son in danger. He pounded the steering wheel. This shouldn’t have happened. His family should have been safe. It was never a problem before. Until he met Tia.
It wasn’t her fault.
I know that. But damn it…if anything happens to Jeremy.
I’m thinking this is almost a done deal.
What’s a done deal? All of sudden he froze inside the truck and turned to face Stefan. Damn it. You know that freaks me out when you talk to me inside my head. Yet here you are sitting like a zombie beside me. But you’re not here, are you?
Yes I do. Get used to it, Stefan snapped. I’m inside the restaurant with Tia. Hunter has just gone outside.
Dean peered through the windshield. What does Hunter look like? I can’t see anyone.
And you won’t. He’s only seen if he wants to be seen.
Easy to say. Damn it. How the hell are you doing that? He groaned. Never mind, he said. How’s Jeremy?
He’s fine and is sitting alone at a table eating fries.
Alone? he asked incredulously.
Yes. Tia thinks a man sitting back four seats was there the night she was attacked.
What? Enough of this shit. He needed to have a face for this asshole. Better to punch his fist through the guy’s jaw if he knew which was his. The team pulled into the mall. Shit. They were here already.
Tia is beside Jeremy.
What about the kidnapper? We need to grab him or no one is going to be safe.
Hunter is on that.
Dean hopped out. I’m walking in.
No.
He froze. Why not?
The asshole is on his way out. There was a pause. Hunter says to go to the other side. He’s heading there.
And Tia? He asked as he bolted around the back of the restaurant.
She’s approaching Jeremy now.
*
Idiots.
Like he was going to hang around and wait for them to tap him on the shoulders and say, “Gotcha.” Better he disappeared and for them to get the message. I can access who I want anytime I want.
Not that they were smart enough to do that. In fact, he might have to leave them a bigger message next time. He wanted Tia. He’d do what he had to do to get her, but he wanted her willing.
The two of them had unfinished business.
What the hell did that damn cop have to do with anything? Why cops? Tia would never have gone to them. Not willingly. She’d been honed and conditioned against them for years. They all had been.
This didn’t make sense. She couldn’t have changed that much over the years.
Then he shrugged. So what if she had. He’d just beat it right back out of her.
He had a lot of bones to pick with her.
But there was time. He’d get to them all eventually.
First he was going to get the hell away from this place.
Cops gave him the hives.
Chapter 21
Tia stopped beside the little boy and casually draped her arm along the back of the chair. “Hi, are you here alone?”
Jeremy’s eyes grew wide and he nodded his head. “He’s coming back, he said.”
“Oh good.” She watched him shift slightly closer to his bunny. “What’s your pet’s name?”
“Dozer,” he said gleefully, giving him a big hug, continuing to chatter. “He’s mine, my dad gave him to me.”
“He’s cool.” She smiled. “Sounds like you have a great dad.”
“He’s awesome,” Jeremy shouted. “He’s the best.”
She laughed. “Are you ready to go see him? He’s outside.”
Jeremy looked outside, craning his neck to see his father. “Really? How come he’s not in here?”
“He’s talking on the phone and it’s too noisy inside.”
“Cool.” Then his lower lip trembled. He lowered his voice and said, “The man said I have to stay here.”
“And the man said I could take you outside.”
Jeremy brightened and held up his arms.
Her heart aching, she wrapped her arms around him, bunny and all. She stood up and blended into the interior. Choosing the closest exit, she walked carefully forward, determined to get this little boy out safely.
Holding her energy tight to her chest, she made it to the door in record time.
Outside she could feel her body tremble with the effort.
You’re doing great, Stefan said calmly inside her head. Take a left and head for the truck. Dean has gone after the kidnapper.
I think he’s ditched us, she whispered, trying to preserve her strength.
Maybe, but maybe he didn’t ditch Hunter.
She crept forward trying to avoid any scenario that would involve the boy seeing his father attack a man or be attacked. He’d been through enough already. Only her strength wasn’t holding.
Slowing and scared, she knew she still had a distance to go, and her heart pounding, she knew she was in danger of not making it.
Something is wrong, she whispered. I don’t know what or why.
Wrong how? With you? With Jeremy? With the area around you? Stefan snapped, looking for answers.
With me, she cried. Where are you? I don’t feel so good. She started to run. To Stefan. To Dean. To anyone who could take care of Jeremy.
Fast.
I’m falling, she cried out.
I’ve got you, Stefan said, strong arms grabbing her. Drop the shield.
Instantly her senses reasserted themselves. She looked around, trying hard to stay on her feet. Stefan held her and Jeremy.
Jeremy took one look at who held them and cried, “Stefan.”
“Hey, Jeremy, nice to see you again. How are you feeling?”
“Awesome sauce,” he cried and reached out to grab Stefan and hugged him hard.
Dean came running.
�
�Hey, Jeremy.”
“Daddy.”
Then everything went woozy and Tia sagged hard against Stefan.
Can’t make it.
And she succumbed to the darkness.
*
Dean caught his son as he launched himself from Stefan into his arms. He shuddered, his arms closing tightly around the tiny body. Tears burned his eyes. God it had been close. Too close. He didn’t know what was going on, but if there was ever motivation needed to hunt this asshole down, the kidnapper had given him the perfect one. Put his family in danger, would he? It was not going to happen twice.
He’d kill the bastard before he got a second chance.
“Dozer doesn’t like french fries,” Jeremy announced. “But I bet she would.”
“Who’s she?” he asked, having trouble following his son’s train of thought.
“The nice lady who carried me out here.”
Dean smiled. “You know something, I bet she does. Maybe we should invite her to have some with us.”
Jeremy grinned. “We’re going to have to wait until she wakes up from her nap first,” he announced with his typical aplomb.
Dean spun around looking for Tia and found he was alone, except for the gang of cops heading his way. “Did you see her fall asleep?”
“Yes, she looked so tired, she just closed her eyes and fell, but Stefan caught her.” Jeremy laughed. “That’s how I’m going to go to sleep from now on.” He giggled. “And you can catch me and carry me to bed.”
Dean grinned. “I’d love to – once. After you give me lots of warning. Otherwise, I might not catch you.”
“Ha. Stefan caught her,” Jeremy complained. “And she didn’t warn him.”
“Sure she did,” Dean said, looking around the parking lot for Stefan and the sleeping Tia. He hoped they were in the truck. “You just didn’t hear her.” Motioning to his buddies, Dean casually carried Jeremy over to his vehicle. He should probably have his son checked over by the medical professionals to make sure the kidnapper didn’t do anything to him, but given his alert, happy disposition all he’d have to contend with was an overdose of french fries in his small tummy.
At the truck he saw Stefan standing on the far side. He was talking on the phone.
“No, it’s not a normal sleep. She’s out.”