Freeze Frame

by Judith Rochelle

  “They indicated they were going to San Diego to see what they could find there.”

  Pelley frowned. “Do you think they’ll be a problem?”

  Delaware was thinking furiously. He was well aware of the Phoenix Agency. Some hated them, some swore by them but they always got the job done. He was one of the few people who knew the government also used them when a situation arose that official hands couldn’t touch. He hoped he didn’t bump heads with them over this.

  “I’m going to do my best to shortstop them.” Delaware shook his head. “Did they leave you phone numbers?”

  Pelley pulled a thin business card from the corner of his desk blotter and passed it across the desk. “Here’s what they gave me. They said to call them if I heard anything. Should I—”

  “No.” Delaware cut him off. He copied the numbers into a tiny notebook, then handed back the card. “Let’s wait and see what happens on this end. If they contact you again and pressure you, give them my number.”

  “Should I tell them about the video email? And my meeting with you?”

  Delaware shook his head. “I’ll take care of that when the time comes. If this crosses international lines, we need to handle this very delicately.”

  “I don’t want them to do anything to screw this up. I just want to pay the ransom, whatever they ask for and get everyone back.”

  “About the ransom.” Anthony Delaware shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He’d have to give Pelley the bad news right at the start. “I’ll be honest, Mr. Pelley. There’s been a rash of kidnappings by drug cartels, taking the victims across the border to Mexico.”

  “You can’t mean that.”

  “Oh but I do. Narcoterrorists, they’re called. Narcotrafficantes. The income from their drug sales isn’t enough anymore. They use ransom money to buy arms, which they sell to terrorists and street gangs.”

  “Then why don’t you do something about it?” Pelley demanded.

  “Unfortunately, we’re hamstrung here. Our border leaks no matter how much we try to plug the holes. If Mr. Wright and his party have been taken to Mexico, the FBI will have a hell of a time getting them back. We always advise not paying the ransom but in this case that may be your only option. And our only way to locate the hostages.”

  Pelley leaned forward, a strained look on his face. “What do you mean? That they might not be returned? Can’t you just go in and get them?”

  He shook his head. “First of all, there are five major cartels in Mexico and all of them have been involved in kidnappings in the past year. We have to find a way to pinpoint which one we’re dealing with here. And that’s a lot harder than you might think.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “If—and I say if—they’ve actually been taken to Mexico, the Mexican government has not been as cooperative in situations like this as we’d like them to be. The cartels own the government in Mexico, so we get no help there. And Uncle Sam won’t want his fingerprints on any international situation.”

  “So what happens then? We let them call all the shots? I’m not going to just throw up my hands. If we pay this ransom, we’ve got to be sure we get them back.” He glared at Delaware. “And you’re telling me the FBI—and maybe no other agency of my government—can assure me of a safe return?”

  “I’m just saying that there may come a time in this process where the Phoenix Agency may be the only people who can help you out. But that is absolutely a last resort, as far as I’m concerned.” He tucked his notebook away. “We don’t even have any idea where the hostages are being held. I can probably figure it’s not in San Diego or anywhere around here. Otherwise they’d be more specific about where and when the hostages would be returned.”

  “Would they get into that so soon?” Pelley sounded skeptical. “Wouldn’t they want to make sure they had the money first?”

  “Of course they would damn it,” Delaware snapped. “That’s a stupid question. But they aren’t handling this as if it’s all local. Meanwhile, I’m going to get some people out here to set up equipment on both your office and cell phones before the next call comes in and your computer. And I’m also going to bring in the San Diego office. Give them a heads-up. That’s the last known location so we may as well get them involved right away.”

  He stood up took his cell phone from his pocket and pushed one number. As he gave instructions on what he wanted, he stood over by the huge window overlooking the Interstate. He hoped against hope that this didn’t all turn to shit, the way so many of these Mexico deals had recently. He didn’t want to be the one with Eli Wright’s blood on his hands.

  “All right.” He sat down again and crossed his legs. “What about your secretary?”

  Pelley looked puzzled. “What about her?”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring her in on this but if this goes on for more than a few hours, she’s going to wonder what the hell is going on in here.”

  “Joanne knows absolutely everything that goes on here,” he told them in a tight voice. “She’s not just my secretary she’s my gatekeeper. There’s no way she won’t find out what’s happening. And leaving her out could leave us vulnerable when we most need her.”

  Delaware stared at him a moment, then nodded. “As long as she understands that anything she sees or hears is strictly confidential. If she breaks that confidence I’d have to take her in.”

  “I’m telling you.” Pelley’s voice turned belligerent. “Joanne is the least of your problems.”

  “Fine. Now. Two men will be here in less than half an hour. Let’s hope your next call doesn’t come in before then. While we’re waiting, I’d like to go over this from the beginning again. From the moment Eli Wright made plans for this trip until this morning when the people from Phoenix showed up here. And you’ll need to copy that email to a disk for me.”

  * * * * *

  Kat thought she’d be sick when she saw the charred, twisted remains of the vehicles the Wrights and the security men had been using. The police had hauled them to an enclosed facility where crime scene techs were still going over them. While Mike talked to Detective Wagner and Mark took pictures of the cars with his phone, Kat stood at the side, taking in huge gulps of air, Faith’s steadying arm around her.

  “I know you feel badly about the security people,” Faith said, “but we can be grateful none of the Wrights or Mari were involved. And glad that young Len is going to recover.”

  “I know. But then where are they?” she cried. “I don’t sense them anywhere around here.”

  “I’m not completely sure how remote viewing works,” Faith told her. “Do you have to have a specific location to focus on, or can you focus on the people and get their location?”

  Kat shrugged. “It depends. Usually I have a place to start with and project my mind to wherever that is. Get a picture of the site or sites. Describe what I see.”

  “Okay, then. What about this? Wherever they were taken, they had to leave from here. So if you focus on San Diego again, maybe you can get a picture of what happened. Or something that will give you a hint.”

  “That’s a good idea.” She rubbed her forehead. “As soon as we’re through here, maybe we can find someplace quiet and I can try.”

  “I think the first thing we need to do is check into a hotel,” Mike said, coming up beside her. “We won’t be leaving here today and I think we could all use some lunch.” He put his arm around Kat. “And you need to rest.”

  “As if I could until everyone’s safely back with us.”

  “But you won’t be able to help them if you’re sick,” he pointed out. “Come on. We’re finished here. Mark’s going to Wagner’s office with him to get copies of the report and talk to the arson investigator. The cars were destroyed by a bomb and we want to see if the pieces they found will tell us anything.”

  “But—”

  “But nothing. I’ll call him when we get checked in and he can take a cab there or Wagner can bring him back.” He looke
d at Faith. “That okay with you?”

  “Of course it is. Anything is fine. As long as we can make some progress.”

  “Come on, kitten.” Mike hugged Kat gently. “Time to get you away from this.”

  “I’ve got a favorite place I stay when I’m here,” Mike told Kat as they pulled away from the impound yard where the bombed-out hulk of the cars were being held. “I like it because they have a full floor of suites. It means I don’t have to conduct business in my bedroom. And it has great room service.”

  “Oh, Mike. I don’t think I could swallow a bite of food right now, I’m so worried and scared.”

  “Maybe some tea and toast, then,” he told her, leading her across the lobby.

  Faith took care of registering for herself and Mark, lifted the small bag she’d packed for herself and Mark and turned toward the elevators. “I’ll be in our suite. Let me know if you hear from Mark before I do.”

  “Or you could just send him a message,” Mike grinned.

  The silent communication the Hallorans shared often was one of the agency’s best tools.

  She chuckled. “See you in a bit.”

  Mike turned back to the registration slip he was filling out. “I’ll ask for a two-bedroom suite, if that’s okay with you.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked, teasing grin. “Unless of course I could persuade you to share my bed.”

  Since running into him at the airport, Kat had been forced to face an inescapable fact, one brought home even more strongly over dinner last night. She was still in love with Mike D’Antoni. When she opened the door to him this morning—when he’d responded as soon as she called, no questions asked—she realized the past was just that. The past.

  She knew, not just from his words but his body language and his actions, that he regretted the way things ended between them. They’d both learned from that bitter breakup. And now, when her psychic abilities were losing strength because of a stressful situation, when her emotions were so raw, she needed to forget about her pride and tell him how much she needed him. Cared for him. Wanted him.

  She drew in a long breath and let it out slowly. “Okay.”

  He put the pen down and stared at her. “Kat, I wasn’t trying to push you into something. Last night you said—”

  “Last night I was protecting myself,” she interrupted. “Today it occurred to me how stupid that was. After everything that happened, if you didn’t feel something for me, you never would have asked me out again. Never put yourself in the line of fire for me today.”

  He nodded. “But how do you feel? Because I might have been a little casual about it but I’m not just asking you to share a room with me.”

  “I know. I mean…”

  God, could I sound any more juvenile? Just blurt it out, idiot. Tell him how you feel. What you want from him. He came running when you called him, didn’t he? So what are you waiting for? He could have bailed and didn’t. Remember that.

  She’d thought about this all the way to San Diego and on the ride from the impound yard. A lot of water had swept under the bridge since the last time she and this man were together and he’d done his disappearing act. She’d changed but so had he. There was no doubting the sincerity of his words the night before, or the electricity hovering in the air between them. He’d reached out to her, he was there when she needed him and truthfully, she wanted to be with him.

  Tell him. Just tell him straight out that you know this time will be different. If you love him, don’t be such a ninny.

  She cleared her throat. “I really want to be with you, Mike. I mean really with you.” She lowered her eyes. “You were right last night. What we felt for each other is still there. And with everything that’s happening that’s very important to me.”

  “Kitten, your emotions are a mess right now,” he said in a quiet voice. “I don’t want to take advantage of this situation. I want you to be really sure this is what you want, because I’m willing to wait. Although god knows it will be the toughest thing I’ve ever done. But I don’t want just a quick roll in the hay with you. We’ve got time after—”

  She touched her fingers to his lips. “I want to stay with you. I want to be with you. Yes, I want your strength and comfort but not just because I’m very needy right now.” She looked straight into his eyes. “I do need but what I need is you. My feelings for you have never gone away and I’m tired of pretending otherwise.”

  He held her gaze for what seemed forever before nodding his head.

  “Okay, then.” One corner of his mouth tilted up. “One-bedroom suite it is.”

  * * * * *

  As soon as the second three-way conference call had been completed, Rip picked up his secure cell and punched the speed dial for Nando.

  “Everything went exactly as you said with the FBI,” he told the man. “The basic message is they’ll do what they can but Mexico is a problem for them.”

  “As I told you.” Nando’s voice held the hint of a smile. “And this way everyone’s hands are clean. No one can point a finger and say you didn’t do everything possible.”

  “When you get the money, you’ll release the hostages, right?” Rip had begun to have a bad feeling about the situation.

  Now the laugh was loud and lusty, with the tinge of evil Rip had heard far too often. “We will do what the situation dictates.”

  “Don’t harm them.” Rip tightened his grip on the cell phone. “We made an agreement.”

  “Our agreement,” the man enunciated slowly, “was to arrange a situation where I could recover the money you owe me and you could put enough in your pockets to keep out of future trouble.”

  “Damn it, Nando.” Rip felt his gut tighten.

  “Just do as you’re told, make sure the others do the same and there will be no problems.”

  “Did you explain to them that they should not contact the people from the Phoenix Agency?”

  “Yes.” Rip ground his teeth. Did the man think he was a total idiot? “I made it very clear that if those people got in the way, all the hostages would probably be killed. And I was appropriately concerned about that. But that’s just for effect right?” He wanted a definitive answer from the man.

  “It’s not something we want to do,” was all Nando said.

  Rip forced himself not to let his anger overtake him. How the hell had he gotten involved with a man as unstable as this one, anyway? But he knew the answer all too well. “When are you sending the email with the specific demands?”

  “Shortly. Have patience. The greater the anxiety we create, the easier and faster the payoff.”

  Rip snapped his cell phone shut and slammed it down on the desk. If this thing fell apart he could see his entire life going down the drain.

  “Shit!”

  * * * * *

  The Wrights and Mari had finished the second tray of tortillas and water.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at a tortilla again,” Sydney said, trying to ease the tension by joking.

  “There’s a method in their madness,” Eli told them. “We don’t need any utensils to eat. No knives or forks. So no possible weapons.”

  That sobered everyone again and the fell into a tense silence.

  One by one they used the filthy bathroom, doing their best to touch things as gingerly as possible. Mari was making a valiant effort to help Eli keep his family from freaking out. Sydney was putting on a brave face but it was obvious she was hanging on by a thin thread. When Pedro had slapped her Mari could almost see her control fracture.

  They’d washed the slashing cut on her face as best as they possibly could but without antiseptic of any kind and in all the filth of the adobe hut, everyone was worried about infection.

  Mari eyed Lissa with an objective eye. She, also, was putting up a good front but this was a lot more than a seventeen-year-old should have to deal with.

  And Eli, doing his best to be stoic and comforting at the same time. Strain lined his face and his body was stiff with
tension.

  They were in big trouble, everyone knew it and no one wanted to come right out and say it.

  Mari took Lissa’s hand and tugged her toward one of the corners. “Why don’t you come sit down with me and tell me all about what’s going on in school.”

  “School?” Lissa looked at her as if she was crazy. “You want to talk about school? Now?”

  “Your dad is going to figure out how to get us out of here and it won’t help him if anyone falls apart while he’s working on it. So let’s talk about something besides what’s going on right now.” She sat in the corner, legs drawn up and pulled Lissa down with her. “Now. School. Classes and boys.”

  She finally got Lissa talking, although she literally had to pull the words from her. She looked up once and saw Eli throw a grateful glance in her direction. She smiled at him, trying to convey her confidence in his ability to handle this. Whatever this was.

  But even she knew Eli Wright wasn’t a miracle worker. And no one could rescue them if they didn’t know where they were. She let her mind wander away from Lissa’s recitation for a moment, thinking of Kat and wondering if mental telepathy also happened to be one of her sister’s gifts.

  She’d read a lot about remote viewing when Kat’s ability was discovered. Even gone to a couple of the training sessions with her to understand exactly what it was her sister could do. She knew in order to “view” something, Kat needed something to begin with—coordinates, an object, a person, a—

  A person!

  Kat, think of me. Picture me. Focus on me. You can do it.

  Mari concentrated as hard as she could, sending mental messages, hoping somewhere in Kat’s psychic makeup was a receptor that would pick it up.

  The slamming open of the door startled her out of her deliberation. Pedro again, in his now rather dirty fatigues and still brandishing the deadly looking gun.

  “Up. Everyone. More pictures.”

  Mari took her place in line quickly, squeezing Lissa’s hand to let her know it was going to be all right.

  Yeah, right.

  Pedro studied Sydney’s face, then cupped her chin with his massive hand and turned her head so the slash on her cheek was visible.