“I’m on my way.” Slade pushed up from the couch and walked to the kitchen.
Trey sat, brows furrowed and forehead creased, staring at the computer. He glanced up at Slade’s entry.
Oliver’s tone grew harder. “How is it that Mrs. Stratton was abducted, and I wasn’t notified?”
Slade cringed. “I promise to give you every detail, but I’ve got a lead. Please give me a little more time.”
Trey shook his head.
“You don’t ask for much, do you, Jackson?” Oliver snorted.
“Sir.”
“You’ve got until noon. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
“Thank you, sir.” Slade disconnected and gave Trey a quick synopsis.
“Thank God.” Trey sighed, leaning back.
“I need your truck.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No, we’re running out of time. Have you made any progress with the video?”
Trey dug the keys from his pocket and tossed them to Slade. “Yes, but it’s slow.”
“Keep at it.” Slade glanced at his watch and cringed. Six thirty. An hour and a half before the meeting with Jonah. “I’ll call from the road.”
He rushed out the door and squealed down the street, exceeding every speed limit. “Thank You, Lord.”
Asia was alive, and he’d never let her out of his sight again.
* * *
The commute seemed to take forever, and when the hospital came into view, Slade had to force himself to park the vehicle and not drive through the emergency entrance. As he pulled out the keys, a text arrived from Jonah with the meeting location.
Sergeant Oliver waited in the lobby with Asia. Slade’s heart stuck in his throat at her disconcerting black eye and swollen nose.
At his approach, she rushed into his arms, whispering, “I’m sorry.”
Oliver’s hard stare expressed concern and anger, but thankfully, he didn’t demand additional information. Once Asia calmed down, Oliver informed them that her captor was a criminal known for his cartel dealings. She rambled about her escape, explaining her injuries.
For the hundredth time, Slade considered confessing about the meeting with Jonah, but one look at Asia’s pleading eyes and he resisted.
After what seemed like an eternity, Slade and Asia headed out to the highway. She held an ice pack to her face where color encircled her eye. “I’m sorry for climbing out the window.”
“We’ll talk about all of that later. Right now, we’ve got to meet Jonah. We’re already running behind.” Slade’s hands remained tight on the steering wheel.
“He called? You talked to him? When? What did he say?” Asia’s rapid-fire questions prevented him from answering.
Slade gave her a quick rundown of the events, starting with Jonah’s call and ending with the contact’s meeting demands. “He was adamant that we come alone.”
“Thank you for not telling Sergeant Oliver about Jonah or about me running away.”
“I’m already on his list—no need to drag you there too.”
“My emotions were so over-the-top, I spent most of the time crying,” Asia admitted. “I told them the man kidnapped me from the safe house. I’m so grateful they caught him.”
“From what I understand, you knocked him out.”
“The car accident did that.” She gave him a wry smile.
“The man’s got a lengthy criminal history, and my guess is he was hired as a mercenary. I’m anxious to know who he works for. Sergeant Oliver promised to keep me updated.”
“Was Trey able to lighten the video? Did you identify the other men?” Asia’s averted gaze and sheepish response made her look more like a rebellious teenager caught after curfew than a kidnapping survivor.
“He’s working on it. He’ll meet us at the location.”
She jerked to look at him. “But Jonah said to come alone! What if he sees Trey and leaves? We’ll never get any information. This is my last chance before you arrest me today!”
Slade worked his jaw, hesitating. “You overheard my conversation with Oliver last night, didn’t you?”
She nodded.
A fresh wave of guilt passed over him. “I should’ve been forthcoming with you.”
“True, but it wouldn’t have changed my stupid escape attempt. I was—am—afraid, and I responded out of fear.”
Asia’s humble and vulnerable reply had him eager to reassure her. “Fear is a liar. You’re the bravest woman I’ve ever known.” He glanced at her, sunlight accentuating her dark eyes.
Her cheeks warmed with color, and she grinned. “You would’ve been proud of my attack on him. He never saw it coming. Literally, thanks to the gorilla mask.”
Slade smiled. “After seeing your moves on those creeps yesterday, I have no doubt it was impressive.” He avoided the discussion about Trey’s assistance, but Asia’s stubbornness wouldn’t be thwarted.
“Please. Jonah’s the only chance I have left. We can’t mess up this meeting.”
“Trey will remain discreet. We’d be fools to walk in there without backup—”
“No! Tell him to stay away. He can’t show up. Slade. Please!” Her panicked tone worried him. Two sleep-deprived nights were making her hysterical. “I know you’re right, but it’s too risky.”
“Okay, okay. Settle down.” Slade lifted his phone and dialed. “Trey, I need for you to stand down.”
“Are you insane?” Trey’s voice increased to near-screaming levels.
“Asia’s terrified Jonah won’t show and—”
She nibbled on a fingernail and turned away.
“Your safety is more important. Sergeant Oliver just dropped me off at my house. I’m picking up my patrol truck and I’ll be on my way to meet you.”
“Did he come alone? Did you tell him about the meeting?”
Asia grasped his arm, alarm in her dark eyes.
Trey exhaled, annoyance in his tone. “Chill. No, I didn’t tell him about the meeting, but I still think it’s wrong not to include him. And you’re welcome.”
Slade heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you. What about the video?”
“I’ve got my laptop with me. I’ll work on it while waiting for you. Outside the location. As we agreed.”
He shifted in his seat, the intensity of Asia’s gaze drilling into him, demanding not to give in. “The video is the most important part. If Jonah isn’t reliable or—”
“You’re not doing this alone.” Trey’s voice hardened.
Slade frowned. “Asia’s right. We need Jonah’s information. Continue to work on the footage, and if you make any progress or find anything, call me.”
“No—”
“Jonah’s text said no phones allowed, so I’ll have to leave my burner in your truck. I’ll check in as soon as I can. If you don’t hear from me by eight thirty, bring the cavalry.”
“You can’t—”
Slade rolled his eyes. “It’ll be fine.”
“I don’t like this.”
“Me either.” He disconnected.
“Well?” Asia swiveled to face him.
“He’s not happy.”
“I gathered that by his screeching, and it’s not that I disagree, but I’m against an impossible wall.”
Slade nodded as foreboding hung on his shoulders. Were they walking straight to their deaths?
“Thank you.”
He didn’t reply.
“I don’t blame you anymore. You’ve been a wonderful support, and I appreciate all you’ve done to help me. If Jonah turns out to be a dud and we don’t die in this meeting, I promise not to fight or be upset with you for arresting me. You did the best you could, and I’m forever grateful.”
He hadn’t expected that. “As long as we’re offering our confessions...” Slade frowned and w
orked the steering wheel.
“Let’s not go there right now. Sounds too much like we’re preparing to say goodbye.” Asia flipped on the radio and a baritone rendition of “Blue Christmas” belted from the speakers. She glanced away. “It’s Christmas Eve, and all I can think about is whether I’ll spend the holidays alone in jail.”
* * *
Perhaps Asia should say her goodbyes. After everything she’d endured up to this point, it seemed danger lurked around every corner, and really, how many times could one person dodge death?
Slade reached over and grabbed her hand, giving it a light squeeze. His touch was comforting and disconcerting at the same time, but she didn’t resist. “I won’t let you go to jail. I meant what I said last night. I care about you. And I realize my timing’s horrible and it’s probably wrong to tell you about my feelings. You have enough to contend with, but I need you to understand that I’m committed to helping you, whatever it takes.”
She shook her head, unwilling to acknowledge his words or dare to assume he intended to escort her over the border. She couldn’t, wouldn’t deal with emotions right now. And this wasn’t the time for romantic thoughts. If only her crazy feelings cooperated. Regardless of the current events, emotions suppressed her, demanding attention she didn’t have the energy to give.
Slade’s words lingered in her mind. Was he apologizing for caring about her? Or just for his timing? Unsure if she felt rejected or relieved, Asia pasted on a smile.
The comfort of Slade’s presence had become addicting, and that scared her. If she’d learned anything in her roller-coaster life with Zander, it was that when vulnerability levels were record high, it was wise to check your emotions. “If I’m incarcerated, promise me that you’ll walk away.”
“No way. I—”
She touched his lips, silencing him. “Please.” Appalled that she’d made such a brazen move, she scooted closer to the door and folded her arms over her chest.
Slade turned down a private drive parallel to a grove of trees. The area north of Highway 20 could only be described as middle-of-nowhere Nebraska. He parked in front of a small red shack hidden among the overgrown bushes.
“Are you sure this is the place?” Asia leaned forward and surveyed the run-down cabin.
The morning sunlight and cloudless sky juxtaposed the darkened scenery and ominous landscape. There were no other vehicles, and the property appeared abandoned.
Had she made a huge mistake demanding Trey stay away? Palpable doubt and stress hovered between her and Slade, making the atmosphere suffocating.
He killed the engine then grabbed his phone. “What?” Slade fussed with the device and frustration crinkled his forehead.
“What’s the matter?”
“There’s no reception. Not even a single bar to send a text.”
“Convenient. No wonder Jonah chose this place.” She looked away. Slade would try to talk her out of this if she made eye contact. Determination and stubbornness fueled her.
Slade touched her arm, and she angled toward him. “Are you ready?”
“Yep, let’s do this.” She reached for the handle then stopped. “Wait. Trey’s got the copied file on his computer, right? Should something happen to us...”
Slade tilted his head and the corner of his lip lifted slightly. Sunlight bounced off his five-o’clock shadow, and still, somehow, the man maintained his put-together appearance. “For the third time, yes, and let’s not have any of that negative thinking.”
She chuckled, exposing her horribly apparent nervousness. “I do feel better knowing Trey’s got the footage. He is the more responsible brother, after all,” Asia joked, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Very funny.”
She sighed.
“Hey, you don’t have to go in there. I can handle this alone—” He reached over and squeezed her hand.
Fear was a liar. She wouldn’t surrender to it. “Nope, let’s finish this.”
Slade set his cell phone on the seat. “Well, the good news is, Trey can’t reach me, so I won’t have to listen to his endless efforts to convince me how stupid this is.” He grinned.
“Right.” They also would have no way to call for help, but that didn’t need to be said.
“We need to contact Trey in precisely thirty minutes, so we’ll have to hurry this meeting along and find cell phone reception.”
“Got it.”
They exited the truck simultaneously, their footsteps crunching on the packed snow. Only an eerie hush greeted them, and Asia shivered, trailing behind Slade. They climbed the two splintered steps to the cabin’s square porch.
Slade rapped three times, per Jonah’s text instructions. Several seconds ticked by. Doubt battled with trepidation, and once again Asia pondered whether they were making a huge mistake.
At last the sound of a latch released on the opposite side.
She took a step forward, but Slade gripped her hand tighter. “He said to count to ten, then enter.”
Finally, Slade pushed open the door, and it creaked in greeting.
They entered cautiously, Slade in the lead. Their footsteps thudded against the wooden-slat floor. Asia glanced over her shoulder, unsure whether closing their only method of retreat was the safest option.
She rammed into Slade, unaware he’d stopped walking. The impact sent a fresh wave of pain up her already broken nose. Blinking away the accompanying tears, she gently touched her face and scanned the open area, void of furniture except for the round oak table where a man sat, gun aimed.
“Gilade?” Slade asked, his voice a mix of concern and confusion.
Asia peered around him, curiosity outweighing fear.
The man lowered the weapon and leaned back, legs stretched out in front of him, hands folded on his lap. Asia guessed him to be in his fifties. His shoulder-length silver hair hung in waves, framing a face that revealed a history with acne. “Trooper Jackson. Mrs. Stratton. Close the door, please. Then have a seat.” He gestured at the two remaining chairs arranged in a half-moon around the table.
“You know each other?” Asia moved out from Slade’s protective cover, earning a frown for her disregard of his instructions. She took the initiative and sat across from Jonah.
Slade shut the door as the stranger requested and moved to the table. “Asia Stratton, meet DEA agent Joe Gilade.” He dropped onto the wooden-spindled chair, then shifted to the side, probably gaining a better—albeit incomplete—view of the entrance.
Asia tilted her head, her shoulders lowering slightly. “Mr. Gilade, we were to meet Jonah. Is he here?”
He chuckled. “Jonah’s my first name, but I prefer Joe. My grandmother named me. She was big into Bible stories.”
She grinned as understanding filtered through her sleep-deprived brain. “Jonah and the whale.”
A twinge of confusion passed over his expression, disappearing as quickly. Apparently, he wasn’t familiar with the reference.
She faced Slade. “What’s your relationship with Jonah?”
“We’ve worked together a few times on drug task force cases,” he explained, wariness tainting his tone.
Asia waited for him to continue, but he offered nothing more. Was he relieved or on guard? His terse response had her wondering...was Jonah on the right side of the law? Or had they just entered another layer of corruption?
“Did you bring the card?” Jonah got down to business.
Slade squared his shoulders. “First, clue us in to the big mystery.”
Jonah shook his head and interlaced his fingers. “Less information is better for both of you. At this point, you two still have plausible deniability. It’s safer that you’re not dragged deeper in the mud.”
Asia flattened her hands on the table and forced calmness into her voice. “I’m living knee-deep in the mud.” The blank look on Jonah’s face irritated he
r, and she tossed control out the window. “This,” she said, gesturing toward her black eye and broken nose, “is the result of being hunted and almost killed several times over this card. I’ve more than earned an explanation.”
Slade touched her hand and intervened in his placating manner. “What if I get the details and we discuss it later?”
Asia narrowed her gaze and pursed her lips. That wasn’t an option.
“Fair enough.” Jonah ran a hand over his salt-and-pepper goatee, revealing the fullness of his pianist-length fingers. Compassion and kindness filled his dark eyes as he addressed Asia. “What I’m about to share is top secret. If you tell anyone outside this meeting, you’ll not only destroy my career, you’ll place yourself in worse danger.”
“I understand.” Asia squared her shoulders.
Jonah sighed. “Very well. Your husband, Zander, was my CI.”
“Your confidential informant?” she clarified.
“Sir, with all due respect, I’m confused. If Zander worked for you, why wasn’t it cleared with the patrol?” Slade interrupted.
Exactly what Asia was wondering.
Jonah sighed again. “Sergeant Oliver sent Zander to me, hoping I could help reduce the hefty drug-trafficking charges he faced. A cop in prison...well...that’s not a good thing. Zander requested to be a CI and bargained with a promise to deliver evidence against Quenten and his partners. He’d already established a relationship as an insider with them. However, the patrol wasn’t apprised because Zander was certain there was a mole within the department. He needed to continue his ruse with Quenten. We couldn’t chance Quenten’s spy exposing Zander’s cover without enough evidence to put all those involved behind bars.”
Asia pressed a finger to her temple. The overwhelming information was almost too much to take in. “How long had this been going on?”
“A few months,” Jonah replied in a too-calm tone, as if he were relaying the weather forecast. “Zander’s claims of corruption included District Attorney Grayson Kramer and my boss, Harold Donovan.”
“The head of the DEA? He’s one of the guys on the video!” Slade slapped the table.
Silent Night Suspect Page 17