Wilde Side

by Jannine Gallant

  “I’m on my way to Montana now. If Roman’s responsible, he’ll wish like hell he’d found some other way to stick it to you, if that was his intention.”

  “The boy must be completely unbalanced. I’ll admit it makes me sick just thinking about it. I can hardly believe…” Walton’s voice shook. “Never mind. The important thing is to find Devin and get her back safely.”

  “Damn right. She’s the only one who matters.”

  Walton sighed. “I tried to call her parents. They weren’t home, and I didn’t want to leave a message on their answering machine. I don’t have a cell number for either of them.”

  Sawyer ran a hand through his hair and glanced over at Tiny. “Her dad was in DC last night to drop off her dog. I don’t know how to reach him, either.”

  “Maybe it’s best they aren’t informed until the police know more. They’d be frantic with worry. I know I sure as hell would be if it were Dwight.”

  Sawyer bit back the comment he wanted to make. The whole situation, the danger Devin was undoubtedly facing, was all because of his other son. Surely Roman was behind the abduction, even if the unemotional, rational part of Sawyer’s brain argued that the kid didn’t have much of a motive. Crazy defied logic.

  “You won’t do anything stupid if you find Roman, will you?”

  Sawyer gripped the wheel a little harder. “I’m sure the cops in Montana are already questioning him.”

  “If they can find him.” Walton’s voice cracked. “If he isn’t backpacking like he said he was.”

  “Let’s hope they do, because if your son has hurt Devin and I get to him first, I’m not making any promises.”

  Chapter 27

  Devin woke slowly and blinked in the dark. Her head didn’t ache as much, thanks to the ibuprofen she’d had in her purse. Despite trying to stay awake, hoping Charles would give her the slightest opportunity to escape, she’d drifted off. Again. Probably the freaking Vulcan Nerve Pinch—or whatever the hell it was he’d used on her when he’d stopped for gas and food—making her groggy. One minute she’d been plotting her getaway, the next, waking up once they were already back on the road. He’d said something about pressing on her carotid artery, apparently a trick he’d learned during his stint as an Army Ranger.

  Nothing but darkness outside and the hum of the tires on the highway. She thought again about simply opening the door and leaping out. Fear stopped her. That and the hope he would eventually make a mistake. But with each passing mile, her optimism had shriveled. When she’d told him she needed to pee or his upholstery would never be the same again, he’d exited the freeway, found a side road and instructed her to take care of business. Squatting in the bushes while he stood guard with a cold gleam in his eye had made the task nearly impossible.

  She touched the lump on the back of her head. The swelling had definitely gone down. With a jaw-breaking yawn, she focused on the lighted dashboard clock. A little after five.

  “Where are we?”

  “Not far from Missoula.”

  May as well try again. Maybe in the dark… “I have to use the restroom.”

  He let out an irritated sigh. “God, I’ll be glad not to listen to your bitching and moaning anymore. You can hold it for another fifteen minutes or so. We’re almost there.”

  “Where’re you taking me?”

  “I rented a cabin in the woods a few miles from town. Supposedly, Roman is backpacking somewhere in the vicinity. I’ll stash you there and make sure my information was accurate. Then…” Charles’s shrug was barely visible in the faint light of the dashboard. “Well, no need to dwell on that.”

  Cold shivered through her despite the heated air blowing from the vents. That, she assumed, would be her untimely demise. “How do you know so much about Roman’s whereabouts?”

  “Walton’s been in contact with him. A total slap in the face to my sister, if you ask me. ‘No more secrets,’ that’s what she said when we last talked.” His voice rose to a girlish pitch. “‘He’s Dwight’s half-brother, so I’m going to accept him into our family.’” Charles snorted. “Only if he’s innocent, of course. I doubt Cathy will be so welcoming when the little shit goes down for murder.”

  “Sounds to me like Cathy is showing a lot of strength. I bet she would have handled being First Lady beautifully. Too bad you took that opportunity away from her.”

  “Don’t you dare question my judgment when it comes to my sister.” His voice lashed out at her. “I think I know her better than you do.”

  “Better than Walton?”

  He pressed harder on the accelerator, sending the car flying down the off-ramp. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll shut your mouth.”

  “How’s Alex going to feel when he learns his father is a murderer? Maybe you should focus on your own family.”

  His knuckles on the wheel gleamed white beneath the glow of a street light. “He’s not going to find out. No one is going to know what really happened.” His voice sharpened with irritation. “Thanks to my ex-wife, I rarely get to see my son. I’m lucky she let him go on the rafting trip with me.”

  “Isn’t Alex old enough to make his own choices?”

  He was silent for a moment. “Maybe our relationship could be better. My ex poisoned him against me.”

  Devin didn’t comment. Antagonizing him wasn’t smart, though she hadn’t been able to resist a couple of quick jabs. On the rafting trip, his son had seemed like a bright boy. Maybe a little quiet… She was willing to bet he sensed his father wasn’t the person he portrayed to the world. Charles was so certain he’d get away with his crimes, he obviously hadn’t considered the pain his family would go through when they found out what he’d done. And his crimes would be discovered. Devin had no doubt about that. She wasn’t going down without a hell of a fight.

  The road they travelled wound out of the valley and up into a thick pine forest. The first light of dawn was just edging through the trees when they turned down a long driveway and stopped in front of an alpine chalet. Steps led up to a broad deck. When Charles turned off the engine, grabbed his computer case off the backseat and stepped out of the car, Devin followed suit.

  “You can yell as much as you like. This place is isolated. I made certain of that when I rented it.”

  She glanced around at the endless stretch of pines and didn’t doubt him. She was dead certain he could outrun her. But if I get a head start…

  “You don’t think the police will wonder about you just a little when they find my dead body in the cabin you rented, or buried behind it…or wherever it is you intend to dispose of my remains?”

  “No, because I rented the place with Walton’s credit card. As I’ve pointed out several times, I’m not stupid, Devin. I expect them to find you sooner rather than later and think Roman stole the congressman’s information while he was on the rafting trip. That’s what I did.”

  The man had obviously put some serious thought into this. With any luck, the authorities would find her before he killed her rather than after. Timing was everything…

  A giddy bubble of laughter escaped, edging on hysteria. Fear and exhaustion had stretched her nerves to the breaking point. She took a deep breath. “The bathroom?”

  He gave her a cool look. After checking a piece of paper in his wallet, he punched in a combination and retrieved the key from the lock box, then opened the door. “I’m sure you can find it.”

  Devin located a half bath off the living area, shut the door, then swore when she realized there was no way she could squeeze through the small window. She’d have to figure out another means of escape. Once Charles left her alone, which he surely would do at some point, she’d get loose if it meant gnawing her own arm off to do it. Unless Sawyer showed up first. Not that there was any possible way he could find her.

  Forcing back a sob, she used the toilet, then splashed cold water on her face and stared at herself in the mirror over the sink. Dark circles shadowed her
eyes, and her hair stuck out at odd angles. Whatever. Charles wouldn’t win, not when she had so much to live for. Not when a future with Sawyer hovered on the horizon like a beautiful sunrise. The freak in the other room couldn’t take that away from her. From them. Drawing a deep breath, she let it out slowly and left the room.

  Charles glanced up from typing something on his laptop. “The bedrooms upstairs have window bars. Apparently they have bear problems around here. Head on up. Frankly, I’m a little sick of your company.”

  He’d taken off his jacket, but the hunting knife was still sheathed at his side. On the table next to the laptop lay a dull, black revolver. She judged the distance from her current position to the door, and her shoulders slumped. Making a run for it right now didn’t look like an option.

  His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. “I wouldn’t.” He glanced back down. “I’ll be leaving in about an hour.”

  She paused on the way to the stairs, a glimmer of hope stirring. “Where to?”

  “Into town. I want to make sure Roman really is out hiking on his own and didn’t hook up with friends.”

  “How’re you going to do that?”

  He looked up again. “Once, when we were talking on the raft, he mentioned a café where he likes to stop for a pastry and latte in the morning when he’s in Missoula. I got the feeling it was a locals’ hangout. With any luck, someone there will know where he’s gone.” The light over the dining table gleamed off his shiny bald spot as he rubbed the back of his neck. “With a padded jacket to add twenty pounds, a toupee and glasses, no one will remember me as the person who asked a couple of casual questions while I drank my coffee.”

  He really did have all his bases covered. Clamping her teeth together, she stalked up the stairs, taking her frustration out on each tread. When she reached the second floor, she checked each room. Bars on all the windows. Just like he’d said. Maybe she could wrench one out.

  After jerking futilely for several minutes, breaking two nails and gouging her thumb on a metal shard, she gave up and lay down on the flowered spread that covered a queen-size bed and blinked back tears. Where was Sawyer? Still in Denver, or had the police somehow traced their whereabouts? Surely he’d be on his way to Montana if a manhunt was in motion. Had he found poor Tiny at the airport, still tied to her suitcase? She could only imagine the commotion her dog had caused when Charles hauled her away.

  She’d get loose after he left on his scouting mission. She wouldn’t let herself believe anything else. Closing her eyes, she curled into a ball and prayed.

  * * * *

  When his cell rang, Sawyer picked it up off the center console without bothering to look at the display. “Tell me they found her.”

  “I’m afraid not.” Walton’s voice was gruff with frustration. “A judge finally signed a warrant to search Roman’s home in Missoula. His father put up one hell of a battle, claiming police harassment. Engel said Roman’s been staying at a friend’s apartment, and he’s only seen him once since he got back into town.”

  “So, they didn’t find any evidence that Devin was taken there?”

  “Nothing. No sign of Roman, either. The authorities are getting another warrant to search his friend’s apartment. Should come through pretty quickly since this guy doesn’t have Engel’s pull.”

  “Shit. I’d hoped…”

  Walton sighed. “Me, too. Where are you?”

  “I just passed Deer Lodge. I’m about an hour from Missoula.”

  “You’ve got to be exhausted from driving all night.”

  Sawyer glanced over at Devin’s dog, still upright on the seat, tongue hanging. “Yeah, well, Tiny’s panting kept me awake.”

  “Good for Tiny. If I hear anything, and I’ve made it clear I’m to be informed the second news breaks, I’ll call you.” Walton let out a snort. “Even though I won’t be the next president, I still have enough clout to get answers when I ask for them.”

  “I’m counting on that.” Sawyer focused his blurry vision on the big rig ahead of him and cruised past pushing eighty. “I’ve been thinking it makes no sense for Roman to hold Devin someplace where she’d be heard if she cried out for help.” He refused to even contemplate what the little shit might already have done to shut her up.

  “You mean maybe he took her into the woods on his backpacking trip?”

  “Maybe, but he has your credit card number. What if he rented a secluded cabin to hold her until…” Sawyer slammed his hand down on the seat beside him. “Damn it to hell, if we knew why Roman took her, we might have a better idea where he’s keeping her.”

  “I agree. I still don’t understand what he could possibly gain by kidnapping Devin. But, the police can certainly check with rental agencies for any reservations made in my name. That’s a great idea. Show’s you’ve been thinking.”

  “I tried to put myself in Roman’s shoes and think like a killer.”

  “He isn’t.” Walton’s voice hardened. “Not yet…”

  “Not ever.” Sawyer’s grip on the wheel tightened. “Better than waiting for the cops, you can call your card company and check for charges. If you find a recent one made in Montana…”

  “I can contact the rental agency the second they open. If he booked a house in my name, they’ll give me the address.”

  “God, let’s hope this works. Call me first…then the police. I don’t want anyone trying to keep me away from Devin.”

  “If my son kidnapped her to somehow get back at me, then giving you the inside track is the very least I can do. I’ll be in touch.”

  The connection went dead.

  Sawyer dropped the phone and concentrated on driving. Roman had rented the car in Walton’s name. Why not a house, too? For the first time since he’d hit the road twelve hours before, hope stirred. When the dog quit panting and started whining, he blew out a long breath. “Fine, we’ll stop. After that giant cup of coffee I picked up at the last gas station, I need a bathroom break, too.” He glanced over at Tiny, whose nose was pressed against the window, making a smeary mess. “But don’t expect another one, not until we have Devin back safe.”

  An hour later, the lights of Missoula were twinkling in the distance as he topped a short rise. Morning light shimmered across the valley as the sun rose higher over the eastern hills. When his cell rang, he scooped it up.

  “What did you find out?”

  “Jackpot!” Walton’s voice was filled with glee. “My card had a charge from Missoula Vacation Rentals. Of course the office wasn’t open yet, but I checked their website and found the owner’s name. What do you know, information listed the woman’s home phone number. When I told her who I was and said I’d misplaced the address to the house I’d rented, she was happy to look it up for me.”

  “Damn. It’s about time we got a freaking break. What’s the address?” He recited it back after Walton told him. “Got it. Did you call the local cops?”

  “Not yet. I will when I hang up with you.”

  Sawyer flicked on his blinker to pass a pickup. “Good. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid to get either Devin or myself killed, but I want to be there when the authorities find her.”

  “I completely understand. You’ll let me know what happens?”

  “I’ll call you. Thanks, Walton.”

  “You bet.”

  Sawyer disconnected then typed the address into his phone and glanced at the directions. “Son of a bitch!” He swerved right to take the approaching exit and grabbed onto Tiny to keep the dog from crashing into the windshield. “We almost missed it.” When he reached the stop sign at the end of the off ramp, he pulled over to check the map. “Damn, Tiny, we’ll be at the house in about ten minutes. Let’s go get Devin.”

  * * * *

  Devin jerked and tugged against the duct tape, her strength waning after an hour spent trying to get loose. Charles had trussed her up at the dining room table like a chicken ready for the roaster. The man was nothi
ng if not thorough. When the front door slammed open, hitting the wall, tears ran down her cheeks. Apparently her window of opportunity for escape had just closed.

  “He’s back!” Charles threw down his keys, leaving a mark on the shiny surface of the table. “Shit. I’d hoped to have more time to cover my tracks.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Roman. He walked into the coffee shop while I was placing my order. Thank God I hadn’t started questioning the barista yet. I grabbed my drink and headed over to the window with my back to him. He was chatty, flirting with the woman and telling her all about his solo backpacking trip. Thank heavens he was out in the woods alone.”

  Devin let out a breath. “Sounds like you’d better ditch your plan and leave while you still can. The police will question Roman the second they realize he’s back in town.”

  “Of course they will, and he’ll deny having anything to do with your kidnapping, but when they find your body…” His eyes hardened. “I can’t stop now. This will still work.” He crossed the floor and pulled the knife out of its sheath to reveal a razor-sharp blade, then slashed the tape holding her arms pinned to the chair. With a hard yank, he ripped the tape away. “Let’s go.”

  She rose unsteadily to her feet, rubbing her stinging arms, but held back a complaint. If she could keep him talking, somehow make him see reason. “Where’re you taking me?”

  “Into the woods behind the house. It’ll be easier there. Afterward, I can come back and wipe down anything I might have touched, though I’ve been pretty careful.”

  She assumed it was disposing of her body. “I don’t know how you expect to pin this on Roman. If he’s in town right now—”

  “I have a limited timeframe to work with.” He pulled out his holstered weapon. “Move it, Devin. Dragging your feet is only going to piss me off. If I have to finish this business now, I will.”