Web of Deceit

by Susan Sleeman

  “Shh, pumpkin, I’m right here,” Kait said loud enough for her niece to hear.

  “Nantie Kait.” Her pitiful cry shot through the phone.

  “I’m coming, pumpkin. Just be patient. Okay?”

  “’K.” She fell silent.

  “That’s it, Lily,” Fenton said sounding calmer again. “Daddy’s got you. Now, close your eyes and go back to sleep.”

  Kait heard Fenton humming, and she imagined him rocking Lily to sleep. Kait’s stomach rebelled again. Acid burned up her throat, but she had to keep it together and stay on the line for Lily.

  “Kait,” Fenton finally said, proving he’d come to his senses. “As you can tell, I have Lily.”

  Kait desperately wanted to find Lily, but his demanding tone said he expected her to react in fear to this situation. If she did, he’d be in control. She needed to remain in charge, so she said nothing.

  “Fine. You obviously doubt me. I don’t know how you can after hearing her, but I’m texting you a picture as proof. I warn you, you need to stay on the line with me as you look at it, or we’ll disappear, and you’ll never see her again. Do you understand, Kait?”

  “Yes.” Though she needed no proof, she went along with it in hopes of coming up with a way to rescue her niece.

  “Sending the text now,” he said. “Tell me when you get it.”

  She thumbed to her messages. “Got it.”

  She opened the picture of Lily sitting on Fenton’s lap, and her knees lost all strength. She clutched the wall for support.

  He chuckled. “I’ll take your silence to mean you’re looking at the picture.”

  “Yes,” she answered, barely able to speak.

  “Good. Good. Now, if you want to see Lily again, you will follow my directions to the T and not stray at all. You’ll tell no one about my call, but come straight to me.”

  “Why would I do that?” she asked. “You’re just going to kill me when I get there.”

  “Now, Kait. I get that you want to protect yourself, but what about Lily? Don’t you want to see her before I take off with her for good?”

  Kait let his words settled in. As an agent, she knew going to meet him was dangerous. Even against all of their policies. But she also knew Fenton. If she called in her team, he’d disappear with Lily. Forever. Just as he’d disappeared three years ago. This time not alone. Kait couldn’t risk that. Besides, she was an agent, and that meant she had skills the average citizen didn’t possess. She was Lily’s best chance.

  “Kait?” Fenton asked.

  “I’m listening.” She gritted her teeth.

  “I’m sending a link to your phone right now in a text message. Click on it and be sure your GPS is turned on.”

  “I’m sure it’s code that allows you to take control of my phone, and I won’t do it,” she responded out of habit.

  “Really, Kait? Really? You’d risk never seeing Lily again just to keep me from accessing your phone?”

  Of course she wouldn’t. She’d simply let her training speak for her for a moment. “Hold on. I’m doing it.” She thumbed to her GPS and turned it on, then moved to the message. With nausea still threatening, she clicked the link and waited for him confirm access.

  “Okay, good. Perfect. Now I can track your movements and make sure you don’t contact anyone. Next, I want you to go to the nurse’s station where I’ve left a package for you. Take it to your car, and then remove the phone from the package. And do spend a few moments enjoying my latest present and message.”

  She hadn’t a clue what this next message might contain, but she assumed the surprise was another heart. They hadn’t confirmed the one he’d left at her house belonged to Youngblood, but they believed it did. So perhaps he really had killed the next man on his WoW list as he’d promised.

  “What do you want me to do after that?” she asked.

  “You’ll find further instructions on the phone. Follow them exactly. When they say to stop and leave your cell, do so. No hesitation to keep your precious phone. Just leave it. Got it?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’ll also leave my special surprise and message with the phone, so when the other two monsters figure out you’re gone and track your phone, they’ll have something to find.”

  She assumed he meant Becca and Nina.

  “Any questions?” he asked.

  “Where will I meet you?”

  “Just follow directions, Kait. Do what they say, and you’ll see Lily again. Take any wrong steps or try to call in the troops, and we’ll disappear. Now be a good girl, and go straight to the nurses’ station. Laura is expecting you, and she’ll tell me if you try to communicate your distress in any way.”

  Kait didn’t know if she should believe he’d charmed Laura into watching her and reporting to him, but Kait knew he could easily hack into the hospital’s security feeds, and she had no choice. She had to follow his directions exactly if she was ever going to see Lily again.

  “IF YOU DON’T have this information to me within the hour, I’ll send one of our agents out to arrest you for obstruction of justice,” Nina threatened the WoW manager. Gone was the sweetness Grandmother Hale required. This was too important. Kait was too important. No one fired at her friend and got away with it. Out came the boxing gloves.

  “And if you think I’m bluffing,” she added. “Try calling me on it. You have one hour.” She ended the call and considered throwing her phone “Stupid corporate bureaucracy.”

  “That bad, huh?” Quinn’s voice came from behind.

  She spun and found him leaning on the wall, relaxed, casual in his T-shirt and tactical pants, looking much like an agent on their FBI SWAT team. “What are you doing here? How’d you even get in the building?”

  “Becca.”

  When stress got to Nina, she craved the chicken her grandmother used to fry. Tonight, she’d wanted it. Badly. She’d begged Becca to pick up a few pieces at a local dive while Nina waited by the phone. Now Nina wished she’d kept her big mouth shut. “Why are you here?”

  He pushed off the wall. “I have some information for you.”

  “And your phone is broken?”

  “I knew as soon as I told you what I’d learned, you’d act without thinking it through.” He came closer, his expression deadly serious. “I wasn’t about to put you in danger unless I was here to help.”

  “Please,” she said, unwilling to rehash their many discussions about him needing to be the tough guy all the time. “So what’s this info?”

  “I tracked down the guy who gave Rhodes the portable vent. The guy I talked to also provided Fenton with the roc.” He smiled tightly. “We had a conversation.”

  Nina could easily imagine the kind of conversation Quinn had with this guy. “And?”

  “And he told me Rhodes won’t fly commercially. He hates the security searches. So he calls on one of their former Navy buddies who owns his own plane. That buddy brought him to San Diego to pick up the vent.”

  “And he didn’t ask how Rhodes planned to use the vent and roc?”

  “Rhodes saved his life in Iraq. He owes him. Same with the pilot.”

  Nina had been around Quinn enough to know about the military code that said you never turned your back on a soldier in need—an especially true sentiment for the tight-knit SEAL teams. That doubled—maybe tripled—if you owed the other person for your life, and they found themselves in need of help.

  “I wish I’d been there to talk to him like you did,” she said.

  “We did have a very long conversation.” Quinn grinned, and heaven help her, she wanted to trace his lopsided smirk with her finger, then kiss it away.

  Focus, Nina. Focus. “So how do I find this buddy?”

  Quinn dug a scrap of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. “
He’s local, but don’t even think of going to see him without me.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” she replied, but in reality, she’d be ditching Quinn as soon as was humanly possible and making a trip to see this pilot alone.

  WHEN BECCA returned with the chicken, the greasy, crisp aroma Nina loved filled the war room, but Nina couldn’t eat it. Not with Quinn hanging around. She offered it to him, and he had no problem wolfing it down while Nina called Kait to tell her about the pilot. Nina tried to phone three times, but Kait failed to answer.

  “Well, shoot.” Nina disconnected and turned to Becca. “I don’t like this. Give me a good reason why Kait isn’t answering, or I’m heading over to the hospital to find her.”

  “I don’t have one,” Becca said from the end of the table where she forked a bite of an organic salad. “She was waiting for our call. The only reason she wouldn’t answer is if something was wrong.”

  Quinn wiped his fingers on a napkin. “Maybe she’s sleeping.”

  “With Fenton still on the loose?” Nina said. “Not likely.

  “She may not have a choice.” He stuffed his trash in the bag. “You know the crash that comes after the adrenaline rush from a shooting fades.”

  Nina supposed he could be right, but it just didn’t feel right. “Maybe, but I need to be sure.”

  “I could track her cell GPS,” Becca offered. “It would take time to hack her account, though.”

  “You work on that while I head over to the hospital.”

  Quinn came to his feet. “I’ll go with you.”

  Nina looked him squarely in the eyes. “No need.”

  “It might be a good idea to have backup,” Becca suggested.

  Nina swung her head around to glare at her friend.

  Becca held up her hands. “I’m just saying, with the shooting, it’d be a good idea to have a second person along.”

  “Then you can come with me.”

  “I wish I could, but someone has to stay here to run the investigation when WoW finally delivers on the warrant.”

  Nina knew when she was outnumbered. “Fine. Quinn comes with me.” She tossed the paper with the pilot’s information on the table by Becca. “Get a team to pick up this guy. I’ll talk to him when I get back.”

  Expecting a smug expression from Quinn, she glanced at him on the way out of the room and was glad to see he simply looked relieved.

  “I love it when you take charge,” Quinn whispered when he caught up to her.

  The warmth of his breath, the sound of his voice, made her heart clip-clop in betrayal. She ignored the racing pulse and hurried to her car. On the drive, she turned on talk radio and pretended to be interested as they discussed the legalization of marijuana in Oregon. Quinn didn’t attempt conversation, so when they arrived at the hospital, she glanced at him to be sure he hadn’t dozed off. She found him watching her.

  “What?” she asked, patting her hair to make sure nothing was out of place.

  “Don’t worry, your hair’s perfect.” He grinned and reached for her. “And waiting for someone to mess it up.”

  She pushed his hand away. “Then why that weird look?”

  “I was just wondering if we’ll ever be able to be in the same space without all this tension between us.”

  “What do you think?” She clenched her jaw so hard she thought she might fracture a few teeth.

  “I think . . .” He paused and appraised her for a long moment, his eyes clouding over. “You’re an all or nothing kind of girl, and I’m gonna get the nothing from now on.”

  “Very perceptive.” She climbed out of the car before she gave him even the slightest hint that he could still get to her. She didn’t wait for him, but hurried across the parking lot, her heels sending sharp pings into the still night and mixing with Quinn’s solid footfalls behind her. Despite her unease at having him around, she knew he had her back, and for that, she was grateful.

  Inside, she found Sam sleeping and the chair Kait occupied when Nina had visited earlier, empty. Quinn rested a shoulder on the doorframe and crossed his ankles. To a passerby, he might look relaxed, but Nina knew he took in everything around him. If danger threatened, he’d react with lightning reflexes.

  She looked around the room, surprised to see Kait’s purse on the floor. Nina confirmed Kait’s iPad was inside. She’d never leave it for long. She had to be nearby. Maybe she couldn’t sleep in the chair and didn’t want to bother Sam, so she’d gone to the waiting room.

  Not likely. If she couldn’t sleep, she’d have taken her iPad. She could have chosen not to use Sam’s bathroom and gone down the hall to a public restroom.

  Nina turned to Quinn. “I’m going to check down the hall for Kait.”

  “Then I’m coming with you.” His tone brooked no argument.

  At the restroom, she knew he wouldn’t care that it was restricted to women, and he would follow her in, so she held up a hand. “Stay,” she commanded and searched the small space for Kait. Empty. Next, Nina checked the lounge, Quinn trialing along behind. Empty, too. Then she went to the nurse’s station, hoping to talk to the duty nurse but found no one.

  Nina planted her hands on her hips and considered waiting for a nurse to return or going back to wake Sam from his much-needed rest.

  “I know you want the good detective to get his beauty rest,” Quinn said, as if reading her mind, “but if Kait’s in trouble, you’re wasting precious time.”

  He was right. Nina didn’t waste another second, but hurried back to Sam’s room and stepped up to his bed. “Sam,” she said loud enough to make him stir and open his eyes. “I’m looking for Kait.”

  He cast a groggy glance at the chair. “She was here when I went to sleep. Said she was staying all night.”

  Nina’s concern ratcheted up. “She’s not answering her phone, and I’m starting to get worried.”

  Sam shot up then winced and fell back. “Maybe the nurses have seen her.” He pressed his buzzer and raised his bed to a sitting position.

  “Yes,” a tired female voice came over the intercom.

  “Hey, Laura. I’m looking for Kait. The woman who was staying with me tonight. Have you seen her?”

  “She picked up a package a guy left for her at the desk and took off,” Laura replied over a crackly connection.

  “Did you know this guy?” Sam asked.

  “No, but he’s an EMT. He said she forgot her cellphone, and he was leaving it along with a box of candy. He was a real sweetie. Even left candy for the nursing staff.”

  Nina shot a look at Sam. “Kait had her phone, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” His gaze swung to the table. “She set it there, so she’d hear your call.”

  “It’s gone now.” That sliver of concern Nina had been feeling grew into a full-fledged log.

  “If there’s nothing else?” Laura said.

  “Did this guy have a crescent-shaped scar on his chin?” Sam asked.

  “He did,” Laura said. “A cute one that moved when he talked.”

  Sam cringed and sat up straighter. “How long ago did she leave?”

  “About an hour. Maybe a little more.”

  Nina looked at Sam. “We need to look at the hospital security footage.”

  “I’ll get dressed, and we’ll find the security office.” Sam swung his legs over the side of the bed, his face contorting in pain.

  Nina stepped in front of him. “You’re in no shape to do this.”

  “Too bad.” He came to his feet, but had to grab onto the bedrail. “I’m not leaving Kait out there alone.”

  Nina blocked his path. “You could only make things worse.”

  “Let the man up, Nina.” Quinn’s voice boomed through
the room. “He needs to do this.”

  Nina spun, found Quinn standing alert and tall. If he insisted on Sam coming along, Sam would join them. Once Quinn made up his mind to do something, he was relentless, and there was nothing she or anyone else could do to stop him.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  SAM SHARED THE small security office with a chubby guard named Victor, Nina, and her Navy SEAL. She clearly didn’t want Quinn around, and Sam wasn’t sure why he was with her, but Sam didn’t waste time getting clarification.

  “There.” Nina pointed at the computer monitor. “It’s Rhodes dressed as an EMT.”

  Sam watched as Rhodes made his way into the hospital, mugging for the security cameras on the way in. The camera followed him until he moved out of range. Victor switched to the elevator footage. Rhodes smiled up at the camera while holding up the box Laura told them about.

  “Dude,” Victor said. “It’s like he wants you to know he left the package.”

  “He does,” Quinn said from where he stood behind Nina. “Whatever’s in that box is likely the reason she took off.”

  “Agreed,” Sam said. “Fast forward to the part where Kait picks up the box and leaves.”

  Victor cued up the footage.

  Nina’s phone rang. “It’s Becca. Hopefully, she has news.”

  Nina stepped away to take the call. Sam kept his focus on the screen. He watched Kait open the box in the elevator, her eyes narrowing in disgust.

  Quinn squinted at the monitor. “I’d sure like to know what’s in there to put that look on her face.”

  Sam was sure it was another heart, but he was more interested in the phone she’d removed from the box and tucked into her pocket.

  “Was that a phone?” Quinn asked.

  Sam nodded and continued to watch as Victor switched to the parking lot view where he saw Kait climb into a white sedan—not her car—and drive off. He watched for a clear shot of the license plate as the car moved out of camera range, but the camera didn’t catch it.

  Quinn lifted his wrist and glanced at his watch. “Timestamp says she left nearly ninety minutes ago. She could be long gone in that amount of time.”