by Angi Morgan
“I don’t see anything to keep him quiet.”
The guard loosened the tie around George’s neck, pulled it up around the man’s ears and tightened it enough to quiet any yelling. Then he removed the cell and handgun from under George’s jacket.
“Call your partner and tell him to bring the car closer to the gate.” She set the cell inside the bucket and stuffed the gun down the back of her pants. That was what everyone always did, right? It didn’t seem to want to stay. “Damn.” She couldn’t run worrying about where the gun would end up and decided to leave it. She grabbed it again and handed it to the guard. “Unload this. Leave the gun, take the magazine.”
He followed her instructions. George didn’t struggle. In fact, he hadn’t put up much of a fight at all. She locked gazes with him and he quirked an eyebrow, then lifted his chin toward the door. “Be careful,” was what she could decipher through his muffled speech.
She flipped the barn lights out and waited at the door for her uncle’s hired help to make his call. She could see the outline of the car move toward the fence line without its lights. One more look at the agent left behind and she tried not to debate whether George had set her up or helped.
“You know we can take you to a hotel or to your uncle’s, but nowhere else.” Her guard placed his hand in the small of her back and gently nudged her forward.
Tracey didn’t answer him. They silently moved across the paddock to the far fence. Up and over, then a short distance to where the car waited. Part of her wanted to back out and let him take her to the protection waiting in Fort Worth. Just a small part.
The section of her heart seeking to be fixed needed to find those two kids. It was the half of her that won. She ran to the car and stopped at the driver’s door.
“Don’t say a word,” Josh said, getting out of the car holding a gun on the guard who’d been so helpful. “Your partner’s in the trunk. You and I are going to ride in the back. Any trouble, Tracey?”
“George Lanning is tied up in the barn.”
Even in the starlight, she could see that Josh was surprised. “Turn around.” He cuffed the guard, held the gun until the man got into the car and slid in the back, too.
They didn’t need to say anything. She drove to the place off Highway 6 where they’d decided to abandon the guards. It was a long walk back to Waco. She doubted her uncle’s men would be picked up by a friendly driver after they’d been forced to strip to their underwear.
“Your clothes will be about a mile down the road.” Josh merged onto the road and raised the window.
Less than an hour ago she’d been feeling sorry for herself. “I thought you’d left me behind.”
“To be honest, Tracey, I would have. I told you coming back wasn’t my choice.” Josh shifted in his seat. “I don’t want to put you in more danger or ask you to do anything illegal.”
“Right. Where to now? They didn’t call while I was in the barn. Did they?”
“No.”
“So do we need to come up with a plan?”
Josh slowed down on the deserted highway. She dropped the clothes that were in her lap to the edge of the gravel shoulder. The bodyguards would be able to find them easily, and they were far enough off the road not to draw attention.
Josh turned in the seat, facing her.
“Shouldn’t we be in a hurry to get away from here?” she asked cautiously.
He tossed the phone they’d bought earlier into the seat between them. “They said they’d call.”
“So we wait.” She slapped her thighs and rubbed. Nervous tension. She looked around, wondering what he really wanted to say.
The car was still in Drive and his foot was on the brake. No reason to ask if they were going to wait on the guards to catch up with them. Josh kept looking at her and she kept looking everywhere but at him.
“I lied.”
“About what?”
“I would have come back. I didn’t want to bring you with me to the kidnappers, but I would have come back.”
Her mouth was in the shape of an O. She said the words silently and rubbed her palms against her jeans again. He would have come back. Despite everything happening to them, her heart took off a little. She needed hope.
He let off the brake, steered the car onto the road and placed his palm up on the seat covering the phone. It was an invitation, confirmed by the wiggle of his fingers. She accepted, slipping her hand over his and letting it be wrapped within his warmth.
“I think I know what they want me to do, Tracey. There are some good men out there on our side. The ones at the house can’t help. George Lanning realized that. I owe him a debt. In fact, I’m going to owe a lot of people when this is over.”
“Not me. I’m the one who lost the kids.”
He squeezed her hand. “I should have anticipated a move like this from the Tenoreno organization. They’ve been threatening Company F all year. I never thought... Hell, I just never thought about it. I’m sorry.”
“Do you have any place in mind for us to wait? Or are you just driving?” Her stomach growled loud enough to be heard, jerking Josh’s stare to her belly. “Have you eaten anything since breakfast?”
“Sounds like you’re the one who hasn’t.” He chuckled. Things were too serious to really laugh. “I don’t feel like eating.”
“But you need to eat, right?”
“We need to switch cars first.” He pulled into a visitor’s parking garage at Baylor and followed the signs to park almost on the top floor. Grabbing a bag she hadn’t noticed before from the backseat, he pushed the lock and tossed the keys inside before shutting the door.
“You know...it would lower my anxiety level if you’d let me in on whatever plan you’ve already formed. And don’t tell me you don’t have one,” she finished. He unlocked an older-looking truck. “Aren’t you worried about campus security finding the car? Then Agent McCaffrey will be able to figure out what you’re driving.”
“I’m only worried about Vivian getting in trouble for leaving it. Of course, it’ll take them a little while to discover the connection to me. I have high hopes that this is over by then.”
“Whose truck is this?” She grabbed an empty fast-food sack and gathered the trash at her feet.
“Vivian’s son’s best friend. I’m...uh...renting it.”
“Not for much, I hope.” The half-eaten taco that emerged from under the seat’s edge made her gag. “I don’t think I’m hungry anymore.”
“We should get something anyway. No telling how long it’ll be before we can eat again. Looks like we’re on empty. Might be good to get Jackson snacks and juice.” Josh exited and swung into a convenience store and handed her three twenties without finishing his sentence. “Better pay cash for the gas.”
Even with all the media coverage, neither of their pictures had been flashed on the screen—at least from what she’d seen. If she’d had long hair, she would have dropped her head and let it swing in front of her face. Her hair was the exact opposite. Thick and short and very red, but not very noteworthy.
For Jackson and Sage, she picked up some bottled juice, two very ripe bananas, crackers and animal cookies. Not knowing how much gas Josh was purchasing, she didn’t know if she had enough money for a full bottle of honey. She looked in the condiments, but could only pick up grape jelly. That would have to do if—if his blood sugar was too low. She’d have to evaluate him and see.
For them—unfortunately—two overpriced and overcooked hot dogs were in their future. She pointed toward the truck and the teenager behind the counter scanned her items. Josh finished pumping the gas and there was enough cash left for a supersized soft drink for them to share.
The clerk popped her gum and sacked everything. “Want your receipt?”
“No thanks.”
Tracey li
fted the sack from the counter while the girl continued thumbing through a magazine. It hit her that she’d never experienced that kind of work. Normal young adult work. The only job she’d ever had was helping Gwen and taking care of the kids. It was almost as if she got married her senior year of college, but without all the benefits.
Her life, her classes, her study time were all centered around the Parkers’ schedules. That’s the reason Josh hadn’t known who to invite to her birthday. There wasn’t anyone really.
It wasn’t his fault. She’d made the choices that had led her to this moment. Josh waved at her to hurry back.
She’d had a very fortunate life. This event didn’t seem like it. But they would get the kids back. Josh and the twins would be together again. She took comfort from the way he’d waited to hold her hand. Hopefully that meant there was a place for her in his life, too.
Chapter Ten
“So you have a plan. The Rangers are helping you even though they’re not supposed to.” Tracey’s voice was soft and whispery once the truck engine was off. Josh parked in front of Lake Waco and opened his window.
“The Company isn’t involved like you think. I don’t have contact with any of them. I won’t be sure Aiden is on our side until I get the text with details about the flight. If there is a flight. They might transport Tenoreno some other way.”
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if she was trying to get warm. Thing was, it had to be ninety degrees outside and he’d cut off the engine quite a while ago. Was she as frightened as he was? Maybe.
He kept his arm across the top of the seat instead of draped over her shoulders where he wanted to put it. Then he extended his hand in an invitation to sit next to him. She took it.
In spite of the trauma and fright, it was a night of firsts. He wanted to hold her because she gave him strength, made him able to face what was coming next. But he couldn’t explain that yet. Not while the kids were missing.
He laced her fingers through hers. The tops of her hands against his palms. His larger hands covered her shaking limbs and she drew them closer around her.
“Want to talk about...anything?” she asked.
“My experience is sort of taking me to the deep end.”
“Is that why you’re so quiet?”
“I’m quiet?” He never said much. People called him a deep thinker. The Company knew not to interrupt when his feet were up on the corner of his desk. “There’s a lot I could tell you. Rain check? It’s not the time to think about distractions.”
“I look forward to listening and I agree. We need to prepare.” She moved their arms as if throwing a punch with each hand.
“Probably. Dammit, Tracey. Do you have any idea how I feel?”
“If your emotions are half as mixed up as mine... Then yes.” She squeezed his fingers.
“There’s a lot we need to talk about.”
“Past, future and present. I know. We’ve avoided it for quite a while. I understand. I sort of feel disloyal. Then again, I can’t help the way I feel.”
“You feel disloyal?” he asked, finally looking at Tracey.
“Of course I do, Josh. Gwen was my friend.”
He nodded, knowing what she meant. But he also knew that Gwen would want them to be happy...not guilty. When they had the kids back, they’d talk. They’d work it out.
“Do you have any idea what’s in store? I know you’ve worked a couple of missing children cases.” She spoke in his direction, but he could only see her in profile.
“Those were more parent abductions. Nothing on this scale.”
“But you think they’re all right. They wouldn’t need me to take care of Jackson if something had happened.” She sat straighter, talking to the front windshield. “Wait. You’re not sure why they want me, too. Are you?”
“There’s a possibility that they’ve discovered your family has money. They could want that on top of what they want from me. I don’t think that’s the reason, though.”
Tracey relaxed against him, pulling his arms around her like a safety blanket. They shared comfort and intimacy, and the knowledge that they were both scared without having to admit it.
“So everything’s just a big mess. I can never tell you how sorry I am about my uncle’s interference.”
“It wasn’t your fault. No need to think about it.” In spite of the August heat, she shivered, so Josh hugged her tighter. “I wish there was time to give you some training to protect yourself. It’s probably better to get some rest—while you can.”
“You think I need self-defense?”
“More like, if you know you’re about to be hit—” He had to clear his throat to say the rest. The thought of her being hit was tearing him apart. “Yeah, if that happens, then turn with the...um...the punch. You’ll take less of an impact. But the best-case scenario is to keep your head down and don’t talk back.”
“In other words, don’t give them a reason to hit me. I can do that.”
“Right.” As much as he loved holding her in his arms, they turned until they could face each other again. “Dammit, Tracey. You can’t do this. It’s too dangerous. When they call I’m going to tell them you refused.”
“No. What if it is about the money and not just about Jackson’s diabetes? What then? We’ll be right back where we are now.” She scooted back to the passenger seat. “I totally get why you don’t think I can handle this.”
“What? That’s not it. I have more confidence in your ability to take care of Jackson than I do in mine. It’s dangerous, that’s all.”
“I haven’t forgotten how dangerous it is.” She rubbed the side of her face that had been hit during the kidnapping.
Josh took her hand in his again. He wasn’t going to let tripping over his own words create a misunderstanding. There was a chance that when they faced the kidnappers they may never have another moment—anxious or tender.
“It’s not a lack of confidence. I’m just—”
“Shh. Don’t say it out loud. It’s okay. I am, too.”
Afraid. They were both afraid of what was going to happen to them, to the kids, to their world. Changes were coming.
Dawn was still an hour away as Josh watched Tracey sleep. Her head was balanced on her arm, resting on the door frame, window down with every mosquito at Reynolds Creek Park buzzing its way into the cab.
He swatted them to their deaths in between the catnaps he caught. He hadn’t tried to fall asleep. Maybe if he had, he would have been wide-awake. He’d drifted to the sounds of crickets and lake waves splashing against tree stumps.
The lakeside park was quiet during the early morning. On any usual morning, he would get up, feed the horses, make breakfast, dress the twins and drop them off at their day care before heading into the office. Normal for a single dad.
He wanted to believe that their life was just as normal as the next family’s. He heard the whining buzz of another mosquito and fanned the paper sack from the convenience store to create a breeze. The everyday stuff might not be that much different for the kids.
Who could say what normal really was in the twenty-first century? Not him. If he got his family back, who was to say it would ever be normal for them again? Tracey waved her hand next to her ear.
“Ring, dammit.”
“What’s wrong?” Tracey whispered.
“I’m willing the phone to ring.”
“Is it working?” she asked with her mouth in the crook of her elbow.
“Nope.”
Normal? Since it was Saturday, he should be waking his kids up three or four hours from now, searching their room for shin guards and taking them to a super peewee soccer game. He should be standing on the sidelines, biting his lip to stop himself from yelling at the twins to stay in their positions and not just chase the ball.
She stretched. “I know how to make it ring. Take me to the restrooms and it’s sure to buzz while I’m inside. You know, that whole Murphy’s law thing.”
“You have a point.” He moved the truck up the road and around a corner, keeping the headlights off so as not to wake the campers.
Tracey jumped out. He watched a possum by the park’s trash area. It had frozen when the truck had approached. Would his kids be afraid after this? Afraid of strangers? Cars? Afraid of being alone? Were they being kept in the dark? Possibly buried alive?
“Anything?” She’d been gone less than five minutes.
He shook his head and took his turn in the restroom. His movements were slowing and his thoughts progressing at the horrors his kids could be facing right at that moment. The hand dryer finished and he heard Tracey yell his name.
“Should I answer it?” She was out of the truck running toward him.
“Do it.”
“Hello?” she said, on Speaker.
“That’s good. Glad you could join the party, Tracey.”
It was the kidnapper. If his ears hadn’t confirmed it, then Tracey’s look of fright would have. Her hand shook so much that he took both it and the phone between his.
“Put Jackson and Sage on the phone.” He sounded a lot more forceful than he felt. Inside he prayed that they’d both be able to talk to him.
“The brats aren’t awake yet and you don’t want me to send one of the boys in their room to wake them up.”
“I need to know—”
“Nothing! You need nothing. You’re going to do whatever I want you to do, whenever I want you to do it.”
He was right.
Tracey stared at him, nodded. He couldn’t say it was okay. He couldn’t admit that this man threatening to harm his children could ask him to do anything...and he would do it.
“What do you want us to do?” she asked.