by Rebecca Deel
Mason eyed him a moment, pondering his friend’s choice of words. “Do you consider Dawn only a principal for you to protect?”
“If you’re asking whether I’m emotionally invested in our relationship, the answer is a resounding yes. Although I’m crazy about her, I don’t want my personal life batted about the Fortress grapevine. Referring to her as my principal protects her privacy and mine.”
“She’s a friend. I don’t want to see her hurt.”
“I don’t play games, Mase. I’m with her because I want to be, not because she’s a job.”
Three police vehicles roared up the driveway and parked in front of Elliot Construction’s headquarters. Ethan headed toward Mason and Linc. Rod hurried to catch up with his boss. Josh Cahill stayed by the third SUV.
“Talk to me,” Ethan said to Mason.
He updated the policemen and showed them the shoe prints.
The police chief crouched and studied the prints. “They were moving fast. The men were in a hurry, the women stumbling here and here.” He pointed as he spoke. “Work boots on the men, like the ones I’ve seen you wear.”
“Nicole and Dawn are wearing running shoes.”
Ethan stood. “Anything else I need to know before I start tracking?”
“Dean’s wife, Leah, obtained security footage from the library computer area. Linc froze the frames at the time the emails were supposedly sent by Nicole. You need to see them.”
“Show me.”
Linc showed the side-by-side photos on his computer screen. The police chief and detective studied the screen.
“The gray-haired brigade isn’t behind the emails,” Rod said. “I know those women, and they each have dogs that are customers of Nicole’s. I’ve heard them bragging about how Nicole and Dawn spoil their pets.”
“The girl is doing research for a botany paper,” Ethan said, pointing to the computer screen in front of the teen. “That leaves the man. Do you recognize him, Rod?”
The detective studied the screen a moment, then shook his head. “I feel like I should, though.”
“You and Josh canvass the cookout attendees still here. I want a timeline and names of those who last saw the women, including the people who left before we arrived.”
“Patton and Fisher left,” Linc said. “Talk to Emily Elliott, Rod. Dawn and Nicole were helping her right before they disappeared.”
“You sure you don’t need me, Ethan?” Rod asked.
“If I run into our perps, Linc and Mason will give me a hand. Go.” Ethan motioned for Mason and Linc to follow him. “Walk where I walk.”
“Yes, sir.” Mason fell in behind Ethan with Linc bringing up the rear.
Although he mentally urged the police chief to hurry, he didn’t want Ethan to miss a clue. As far as Mason could tell, the trail was nonexistent.
Ethan stopped at one point and held up his fist. Mason and Linc froze as Ethan shifted to the left and bent to examine prints near a tree. Whatever he saw caused a thunderous expression.
“What is it?” Mason asked.
“From the prints, one of the men shoved a woman against this tree.”
Linc growled.
Mason’s blood sizzled, his hands clenching. He had a pretty good idea who the woman was. Nicole had probably tried to reason with the men or asked them to leave Dawn behind. If they hurt Nicole, the men would regret it.
Ethan stood. “She walked from here, propelled by the man. But she was mobile.”
Although he appreciated Ethan’s information, the news was small comfort. The knowledge that Nicole was hurt and Mason was unable to protect her made his gut clench. “Hurry, Ethan.”
The police chief set off again. He didn’t stop until they emerged from tree cover at the side of a dirt road. Ethan signaled for Mason and Linc to wait, and continued forward, gaze focused on the dirt. A few minutes later, he returned. “They’re in a heavy-duty truck based on the tire tracks.” He inclined his head toward the right. “They drove that direction.”
“Where does this road lead?” Linc asked.
“This area is filled with back roads. They could have gone in any direction from here. I can follow the tracks to the next crossroads, but most of the crossroads are paved. I won’t be able to tell which direction they drove once the truck hit asphalt.”
“We have to find Nicole and Dawn.” Mason shoved a shaking hand through his hair.
“We’re doing everything we can at the moment.” He looked at Linc. “Did you send the photos to Fortress?”
A nod.
“Let me know if they get a match. We should return to the others. Perhaps Rod and Josh came up with something while we’ve been following the trail.”
They fell into step behind Ethan, maintaining their silence until Linc’s cell phone rang. The operative glanced at the screen and answered the call on speaker. “It’s Linc. You’re on speaker with Ethan and Mason. What do you have for me?”
“Got an ID on the guy in the photo. He has a record a mile long and some interesting associates,” came the response from Zane Murphy. “Name’s Zeke Fisher. Ring a bell for you?”
Mason frowned. “Is he related to Ed Fisher, the construction worker I asked you to look into?”
Ethan’s eyebrow rose at that question. Tough. Mason wouldn’t apologize for working around the law, not when his bride’s life was at stake. If Mason got into trouble for it, he’d gladly pay the fine.
“Zeke is Ed’s cousin and a member of the Road Devils, the motorcycle gang we talked about. He also has computer skills.”
“We need to talk to him, Zane,” Ethan said. “Do you know where he or the MC went to ground?”
“Somewhere around Cherry Hill.”
“Number of members?”
“At last count, 35. This MC is into weapons. If you take on these guys, activate your SWAT teams. Your cops will be outnumbered and outgunned from the start.”
And Nicole and Dawn were in the middle of this dangerous gang. How would Mason and Linc free them against such odds?
“Thanks for the information.” Linc ended the call and looked at Ethan. “What now?”
“I have some phone calls to make. You want in on this?”
“Try to keep me away.”
“Figured as much.” His gaze shifted to Mason. “I know you won’t stay behind when we locate their encampment. I don’t blame you, but you can’t carry a gun. However, I’ll permit you to have a knife. Self-defense only and last resort.”
“With or without a weapon, you won’t stop me from coming. My future wife could be in the hands of these men.”
A nod. “Move out. We have work to do.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Nicole sat up and turned to check Dawn’s progress with the zip tie. Some, but not enough. “You’re getting there.”
“This is hard work one handed. Freeing you will be faster.”
“I’m going to look out the windows and see if we can escape that way.”
“We’re on the second floor.”
“We can’t make plans until we have the facts.”
“I’d rather deal with heights than fight the men in this camp. Be careful, Nic. Don’t let anyone see you looking out.”
“Don’t worry.” The last thing she wanted was one of the men barging into the room to see Dawn with a knife.
She walked to the window at the side of the room and peered out. Nothing to aid an escape. The view revealed a sheer drop from the window to the ground with an occupied cabin ten feet from the lodge. If she and Dawn used this window, the men in the cabin would see or hear them hit the ground. That didn’t count the possibility that she and Dawn might sprain an ankle or break a bone in the fall.
“Anything?” Dawn asked, voice soft.
“Not on this side. I’ll try the bathroom window.”
She crossed the room, freezing when a board squeaked. Her head whipped toward the bedroom door, praying the man on the other side of the door hadn’t heard.
Whe
n no one appeared to investigate, she breathed easier and continued toward the bathroom. Nicole eased the curtain aside and looked out.
Her breath caught. A tree grew near the back of the lodge. Close enough to jump and catch hold of a limb?
“Nic, I hear one of the men who grabbed us,” Dawn said, voice low.
Nicole hurried back to the bed and scooted across the surface. She’d just stretched out on her side and pressed her back against Dawn to hide the knife when the door opened and Patton came in, gaze locking on Dawn.
He smiled. “Miss me?”
“Like a bad rash.”
The smile faded. He crouched in front of her and wrapped his meaty hand around the back of Dawn’s neck. Patton drew her forward until her lips were a fraction of an inch from his.
“Leave her alone,” Nicole snapped.
“Shut up.”
“And if I don’t?”
An ugly smile curved his mouth. “All I have to do is tell Fisher you backtalked me. He’ll do the rest. You won’t be sassing anyone after he’s finished with you. No wonder you chose a wuss like Kincaid. You can run roughshod over him.”
Patton’s gaze shifted to Dawn. “Your boyfriend is no match for me.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “I want a taste.”
Dawn jerked against his hold. Patton grinned at her ineffectual retreat and ground his mouth against hers.
“Leave her alone,” Nicole shouted.
“What’s going on up there?” Fisher yelled up the stairs. “Patton, get down here. We have work to do.”
Patton broke away from Dawn, licked his lips, and strode from the room. The door slammed behind him.
“Are you okay?” Nicole asked.
“I will be after a shower and a strong antiseptic mouthwash. Move away so I can work more on the zip tie. I almost have it.”
Nicole edged to the bottom of the bed and sat up again. She glanced at Dawn’s hands and winced. “You’re closer, but you cut yourself.”
“Believe me, I know. What if Linc and Mase can’t find us?”
“They will.”
“Come on, Nic. Be realistic. No one noticed Patton and Fisher take us, and we drove back roads until we were close to Cherry Hill.”
“We’ll find a way to escape, with or without Mason and Linc.”
“What good will that do? We’re in the middle of nowhere without our cell phones. Aside from the small problem of an army of motorcycle riders who look as though they eat nails for breakfast, we don’t know which direction to go for help. Add to that, it’s dark outside.”
“Wow. You’re not pessimistic or anything, are you?”
“Realistic,” she corrected. “The odds are stacked against us. I don’t see how we can escape these men.”
“We’ll figure it out one step at a time.”
“Better be fast steps,” her friend muttered. “I don’t think Fisher will be able to rein in Patton much longer.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “Thanks for what you did.”
“I didn’t know what else to do except attract Fisher’s attention.”
“Your tactic worked.” She glanced at Nicole. “What did you see outside the bathroom window?”
“A big, sturdy tree that looks close enough to jump to from the bathroom.”
“Listen at the door in case Fisher or one of the others decides to pop in. They don’t trust us.”
“With good reason. I have a wedding in two months and one day. I’m not letting Fisher murder Mason.” She left the bed and went to the door. Occasionally, she heard movement from the hall. The guard must be restless and bored.
Men’s voices rumbled in the distance, growing louder, angry tones and sharp words that Nicole couldn’t make out. She backed away from the door. “Hurry,” she whispered. “Someone’s coming.”
At that moment, Dawn gasped and her wrists separated. “Got it. Now you.”
Heavy footsteps moved closer.
Nicole shook her head. “Go into the bathroom, fast. Get out if you can and run. I’ll stall them.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“This might be our only chance to get help. They won’t hurt me. Fisher wants me as bait for Mason. Take the knife in case you need it for protection.”
“Nic…”
“We’re running out of time. Go,” she hissed.
With a determined expression, Dawn whispered, “I’ll be back with help.” She hurried into the bathroom and closed the door.
A second later, Nicole heard the soft scrubbing of wood, then silence. She prayed her friend escaped this nightmare. The way Patton had touched Dawn made Nicole fear for her safety.
Fisher would draw Mason to this campground, but her groom-to-be wouldn’t come alone. At least, he’d have Linc and perhaps one of the teams stationed at PSI as backup. Since they weren’t in Otter Creek, Ethan wouldn’t have jurisdiction here. Knowing him, though, Ethan would find a way to be part of the action.
The doorknob rattled and turned. Fisher came into the room with Patton on his heels.
Nicole’s stomach pitched and rolled, afraid she wouldn’t be able to give her friend a large head start. Patton would go after Dawn. If she delayed them long enough, her friend could at least find a place to hide.
Patton scowled. “Where is my woman?”
“She’s not yours.”
Fisher strode to the bed, grabbed Nicole by the hair, and twisted hard. “Where’s your friend?”
“The bathroom,” she snapped through clenched teeth. “Where do you think she’d be? A guard’s outside the door.”
Patton pounded on the bathroom door. “Hurry up.”
No response.
Nicole’s heart slammed against her ribcage. Had Dawn escaped?
More pounding by Patton. “You got one minute. If you make me come after you, you’ll regret it.”
“Oh, come on,” Nicole said. “It’s hard to use the facilities when your hands are tied. Give her longer than a minute.” She looked at Fisher. “When will you let us go?”
Mason’s coworker laughed. “You know better than that. I’m going to take care of business, then you’ll disappear along with your friend.”
Her blood ran cold. He planned to kill them. “What business? What’s your plan?”
“I’m going to kill your boyfriend and Linc Creed.”
“I’m done waiting.” Patton turned the knob and scowled. “She locked the door.” He moved back a few steps and kicked the door. The wood held. Muttering curses under his breath, he reared back and slammed his foot against the door. This time, the door gave way and smacked against the bathroom wall with a loud thud.
Patton’s face reddened in fury. “She’s gone.” He rounded on Nicole. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
He reached for Nicole but Fisher stepped between them.
“Make sure our other guest has arrived, then go after Dawn. Drag her back here kicking and screaming if you have to, but I want you back before the fun starts.”
Patton stalked from the room, cursing.
Fisher turned to Nicole and balled his fist.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Mason paced Ethan’s office as he spoke on the phone with the Brighton County sheriff. Linc leaned one shoulder against the wall. His casual appearance didn’t fool Mason. His friend’s jaw was clenched, gaze fixed on the Ethan as he listened to every word the police chief uttered.
“Two women from Otter Creek have been kidnapped, and I have reason to believe men associated with the motorcycle gang in your county are holding them hostage.”
Ethan’s scowl deepened as he listened to the sheriff’s response. Finally, he said, “We checked the residences of the men we suspect. They aren’t at their homes or answering their cell phones. I also have a witness who saw them speeding out of town an hour ago with the missing women in their vehicle. If you’re finished playing power games, I need everything you have on the Road Devils and their whereabouts.” He was silent for a long time, listening.
“You sure about the location?” Another pause. “All right. Here’s what I need.”
Minutes later, Mason rounded on the chief when the call ended. “Well?”
“He’ll go along with the plan. He and his men will set up a perimeter. Tate will contact the Cherry Hill police chief. The last known location of the Devils is a campground. The area is remote and covers close to 200 acres. Even with the county and Cherry Hill law enforcement added to OCPD forces, the chance of someone slipping through the perimeter is too high.”
“They’re willing to work with you?” Linc asked.
“Once I explained the situation, Tate was willing to let me take the lead as long as he receives credit for the bust.”
The PSI instructor’s eyes glittered. “Dawn and Nicole’s lives are on the line, and Tate is angling for headlines?”
“He might be a glory hound, but Tate will cooperate.”
“With arm-twisting from you.”
“I don’t care who receives the credit, Linc. The only thing that matters is freeing the women and capturing their kidnappers.”
“You and the other cops won’t be able to handle the Devils alone.” Mason dragged a hand through his hair.
“I’m aware.” The police chief shifted his gaze to Josh Cahill who stood near the door, arms folded. “You in?”
“Yes, sir. Durango and Bravo are already on standby.”
“We need intel on this camp.”
“Fortress will provide what we need.”
A nod, his gaze locked on his brother-in-law. “You’re on leave as of this moment.”
“Understood, sir.”
“War room?”
“PSI conference room. One hour.”
“I’ll be there.” Ethan looked at Mason. “Patton or Fisher will contact you soon. Agree to the demands, but you will not meet them until we’re in place and ready.”
“Yes, sir.”
“They want you dead, Mason.”
“I know.”
“I’ll be ticked off if they succeed.”
Although he longed to race for the campground to rescue his bride, Mason’s lips curved. “I won’t be happy about that, either, sir. I have plans.” Ones involving a certain beautiful blond with a heart she’d entrusted to him. He refused to let her down.