Logan looked at Mitch, who sat down on the sofa next to Dani.
“Well,” Logan began and then cleared his throat.
“We fucked up. That’s how we found out.” Mitch spat the words like they tasted bad in his mouth.
Dani frowned. “I don’t understand. What happened?” She looked around the room. “Wait. Where’s Gage?” When she glanced at Logan, her skin went cold. Her heart hammered in her chest. Her palms got slick. Nausea rose from her belly, and her lunch tried to claw its way up her throat. She swallowed hard. “Where is he?” she whispered.
Logan leaned forward in his chair. “We asked Janet for some guns. We don’t have any resources in Vancouver.”
Mitch ran his hands over his face. “We let him go by himself to pick up the guns. It was only down to the lobby, but we should’ve gone with him. It just never occurred to us he would get kidnapped as well. They already have one hostage. Why would they need two?”
“They have Gage?” Dani’s voice was still a whisper. Her mouth was Sahara dry. She couldn’t seem to swallow.
Logan frowned and ran a hand through his hair. “Yes. When he didn’t come back after twenty minutes, we got concerned. We went in search of him, but he was gone. Mitch got the security tapes from the hotel. Gage got into a dark sedan with blacked-out windows, and it drove away. We already traced the plates. It was stolen.”
“Then how do you know it’s Janet?”
Mitch sighed. “We watched the video for about ten minutes before the meet. Thankfully, she had to go around the block because of the construction so we caught her on camera through the windshield. No doubt, it was Janet.”
“How did you know it was Janet?” Logan asked as he leaned back again in the chair.
“What?” She blinked. This couldn’t be happening. Gage was now in trouble, and all because of her. She rubbed her hands over her face, then sank back into the sofa cushions.
“I fell asleep, and I guess my subconscious put it together. If I hadn’t been such an idiot, I would have put it together earlier this morning.” Was it really only this morning that all this had happened? “When I saw you waiting for Gage outside of the ship, but he didn’t show up, I got worried. I texted Janet and asked her to text you two so you would know Gage was still on the ship.”
“Why didn’t you just text us directly? Didn’t you have our number?” asked Logan.
Dani’s stomach rolled. “I…um, didn’t want you to have my number. I needed a new phone first. I wanted to go it on my own. I’m used to being by myself. Having Gage around just…complicated things.” She kept her eyes on her hands.
“Understood,” Mitch said, “but how did that tell you the mole was Janet?”
“Because the minute after I texted Janet, Ponytail and his crew started heading your direction. That’s why I started running toward you. I wanted to warn you. Then they saw me, and I…needed your help. Those guys walked right by you two like they had no clue who you were. It wasn’t ’til after I texted Janet that things changed.” She swallowed the tears that clawed at her throat. “This is all my fault.”
“No,” Mitch said and shook his head. “This is our fault. We should have picked this up ages ago. Drake was having problems long before you entered the picture. We should have figured out it was Janet a long time ago.”
“Well, playing the blame game isn’t going to help anyone and, for the record, the only person at fault is Janet. So, let’s figure out what the hell we’re going to do to rectify the situation.” Logan got to his feet and went over to yet another room service trolley and poured himself some coffee. He held up the pot, but both Mitch and Dani shook their head.
Coffee in hand, he walked back to the chair. “I still don’t understand why she would do it. Why jeopardize your entire life for this? Was she always a mole for the Triads? I’m not following the logic. Drake pays well, and I know he takes care of his people. When I told him earlier, he was distraught. He didn’t believe me at first. He thought of Janet and her son as family. Why destroy that? He’s so angry I wouldn’t be surprised if he put a hit out on her, assuming she survives today.”
“Her son. It’s about Micah,” Mitch said. “She was crazy about her kid. I’m willing to bet she blames Drake for his death somehow.”
“So she wanted revenge?” Logan asked. “I guess that makes sense.”
“Does it really matter why?” Dani asked. “Who gives a rat’s ass why she did it? We need to fix this. I just care about getting our people back. So what are we going to do? Are they still calling at six?” she demanded, leaning forward again.
“As far as we know,” Logan responded.
Mitch nodded. “The deal is Dottie and Gage for the software. At least, we think it is. I have no idea if that’s changed. The only bit of good news is Stinky came through and we have more guns. We’re going to need them.”
Dani leaned forward again. She hadn’t brought her laptop with her. She’d been in such a hurry to come, she’d forgotten it. Ann and Elenore. She’d forgotten them, too.
“Ann and Elenore?” she asked.
“They are in their room watching a movie. They ordered in dinner. The other ladies in the group caught their flight home. Ann told them Dottie wasn’t feeling well, so they were going to stay a day or two longer.”
“I’d still like to know why they want the software in the first place,” Logan said and then took a sip of his coffee.
Dani laughed without humor. “That’s easy. I’m sure it’s because it would give the Triads the ultimate weapon against law enforcement. All they’d need is access to personnel databases, and then they would know if anyone is a mole in their organization.
“Not to mention they could find anyone they wanted as long as they can tap into a video camera system like the traffic cameras in a city where they think that person is hiding. It would be very difficult to get away from the Triads if they have the software. No one would ever be safe testifying against them again.”
“And they want you because it’s not quite finished.” Logan took another sip of coffee. “Makes sense. I have to say, your software is as impressive as it is scary.”
Dani frowned. “Thanks. I think.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Gage winced as he shifted his weight once more. His shoulder was aching. Apparently, Ponytail wanted revenge for this morning because he’d zip-tied Gage’s hands behind his back and then slammed him to the ground. His left shoulder had taken the brunt of the impact. Ponytail tried to kick him in the ribs, but the tall guy, whose name was Phil, pulled him off.
Gage was worried he was going to have permanent damage with his hands tied so tightly behind his back. It made the pain radiate down his left arm. At least his ass wasn’t numb.
He was thirsty, though. Janet had refused to give him anything to drink. He shivered slightly in the cold, dank air of the deserted factory. The building had that abandoned look when they’d walked through it earlier. Broken windows, garbage on the floors and it smelled of mold and dead things. They’d taken him and Dottie to an office in the far corner.
The springs of the old couch he was sitting on poked him in the back. His feet were unbound out in front of him. Not that it mattered since Phil was standing just outside the office with a gun pointed in his direction. The gag was making his jaws hurt, and he was so damned parched his tongue was like sandpaper. He coughed. The deep, gurgling sound concerned him, but he had more trouble on his plate than not feeling one-hundred percent.
He glanced at Dottie at the other end of the sofa. She appeared to be dozing, her color pale, but other than that, she seemed okay. Her breathing was even and didn’t appear to be labored.
Gage looked at Janet and shook his head again. He still couldn’t believe he and his brothers had missed it. All of his guys at Callahan Security had missed it, too. How could she betray Drake? She’d been with him for years and years.
He’d watched her for the last couple of hours as she typed and answered calls. She
was the picture of efficiency in her navy suit with a white blouse. Red nails matched her red high-heeled shoes. Her silver hair was pulled into a tight, low bun. Her makeup was understated. She was exactly what Gage pictured when he thought of the perfect high-powered assistant. It was just so bizarre. He coughed again.
“Would you still like a drink of water?” she asked as she finished typing something on the screen and then looked up. Gage nodded. She looked at Phil, who was leaning in the doorway, and said, “Give him water. Not too much. Just enough to keep him going. He’s no use to us if he passes out or he can’t stand up.”
Phil’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t work for you, lady,” he said, but he moved over and put his gun on the desk. He grabbed a bottle of water from the crate on the floor and opened it. He flipped his Seattle Mariners ballcap around, then tilted his head back and drank half the bottle. Then he walked over to Gage. He took out the gag and poured the rest down Gage’s throat. Gage choked but managed to swallow some.
“That’s all you’re getting so don’t ask for more,” Phil snarled. He threw the bottle in the garbage can and made to put the gag back in Gage’s mouth, but Gage turned his head. Phil drew a hand back and punched Gage in the jaw.
Gage’s head snapped back. Phil packed a hell of a punch, but Gage could deal. When Phil reached for the gag again, Gage said, “What about Dottie?”
“She’s fine,” Janet said. “I had to give her a sedative. She talked non-stop even with the gag in her mouth. Truly aggravating.”
“Can I have more water?” Gage asked, grasping at straws. He wanted to engage Janet, maybe find out what the plan was.
“No.” Phil grabbed Gage’s jaw and tried to hold his head in place while he replaced the gag. His cell went off, so he stepped back as he pulled it out and glanced at the screen. He answered it and moved out into the hallway, speaking what Gage assumed was Cantonese.
He asked Janet, “What I don’t understand is how you hooked up with the Triads? I figure that’s who these guys are. With all the tattoos and the English names and speaking Cantonese. Screams Triads.” He wanted to verify the information from his brothers.
A lightbulb went off in his head. “Devon. You did it through Devon. This whole time we’ve been thinking Devon relapsed, but he didn’t, did he?”
The cold smile was back. “Darling Devon. Such a stupid man. He actually thought he could hide his gambling from Jameson Drake. Not possible.”
“Not for him,” Gage mused, “but for you, everything is possible.”
“Yes. I’m Janet, his assistant, his right hand, his lady dragon, keeping the world at bay. And his mother when he needs one. For me, it’s all just there for the taking.”
A flush crawled up her neck and a smile lit her face. She was so proud of what she’d done. There was another emotion. Malice. Her eyes glowed with it. She wanted to hurt Drake.
Gage’s skin crawled. This woman was truly evil. It suddenly dawned on Gage. “Your son. It’s about your son, isn’t it?”
The flush was back. Rage and loathing both fought to be the expression on her face. “Yes, my son,” she spat. “You’ve figured it out, Mr. Callahan. Are you proud? Do you feel better? My son is the reason for all of this. Jameson Drake killed my son.”
Gage’s eyebrows went up.
“You’re surprised. Well, you shouldn’t be. He did. He killed my son as sure as if he’d shot him. I brought Micah to a party on Drake’s yacht one night when I had to work. That’s when he tried drugs for the first time. He was instantly hooked. Jameson paid for rehab because he felt guilty. He knew he was responsible.
“It didn’t matter. Micah couldn’t kick the habit. He overdosed. Drake was kind. He gave me a few weeks of vacation to grieve, and then it was back to business as usual. Well, not for me.
“That was it, you see.” She snapped her fingers. “The moment when it all clicked. Jameson Drake droning on about business all those years, I couldn’t help but learn a thing or two.” The malice was back in her smile. “I went on to apply everything I learned from Drake to bring about his own downfall. The irony was delicious. It was all so fun.” Janet’s eyes filled with an eerie light.
Gage shivered again. This woman was out of control. He shifted on the couch again. Thoughts swirled in his head. They’d been right about the Triads wanting to use Drake’s hotel chains. They’d just been wrong about who was behind it all.
“Money laundering, human trafficking…you helped the Triads set that up in Drake’s businesses.” It was unthinkable what this woman had done.
“The money laundering came first, using the hotel’s cleaning services, and we branched out from there. We moved to selling drugs using the concierge and certain clients, and then, well, the sky’s the limit.”
Gage couldn’t believe his ears. She was part of money laundering. That was bad, but helping the people that had indirectly caused her son’s death to sell the very thing that killed him? She was…beyond words. The coldness in Janet’s soul was indescribable.
“You’re shocked. It’s written all over your face.” She smirked. “Don’t you see? That’s the glory of it. No one would ever suspect me of being behind everything. That would be ludicrous.” She laughed. It was a weird and haunting laugh that set Gage’s teeth on edge. Where the hell was Phil?
“The Triads are so entrenched in Drake’s hotels now, he’ll never get them out. And the best part is there’s an article written all about it. It will be released when I give the word. It’s just waiting on one more little thing.”
“The software,” Gage croaked. His voice was shot. He needed more water badly.
“Yes, Mr. Callahan. The software. It’s my golden parachute. Once the Triads have that and I get paid an enormous amount of money, I’m finished. I will be retiring to some sunny spot where I can live out my days enjoying the sun, sand, and downfall of Jameson Drake.”
“How do you know the Triads won’t double-cross you? It’s not like they are known for being upstanding.” Gage shifted again. He leaned on his right arm to try to take the pressure off the left.
“Please do give me some credit. I’ve been dealing with these people for some time now. I have things set up appropriately. They will follow through because there will be consequences if they don’t.” She glanced at her wristwatch and rose. She smoothed out her skirt. The cold, creepy smile slid back into place. “And now, Mr. Callahan, it is time for you and your brothers to die.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Dani looked out the car window as they drove into Stanley Park. Almost a thousand acres of West Coast rainforest on the water’s edge in Vancouver. It was ginormous. How could it even exist in a city? And how were they supposed to find the specific part of some small path to meet for the exchange? Mitch said they had given him exact co-ordinates and also explained the location in great detail, so she didn’t ask questions.
“Why pick here?” Dani asked from the back seat.
Logan shrugged. “I have no idea.”
Mitch piped up, “I think it’s because they have a boat nearby. They are either holding Gage and Dottie on a boat or it’s their getaway vehicle. Or maybe they just like the restaurant here. Who the hell knows?”
“It just seems weird. I mean it’s a very public place.” Dani sighed.
Logan tapped the window. “Not today. With the major storm coming in, people aren’t staying.”
He was right. The wind was picking up. No one else seemed to be on the way into the park, but traffic was heavy on the way out. Just as well. They didn’t need any more innocent people involved in this mess.
They parked in the lot, hopped out and started walking. They saw one person with their dog coming from the opposite direction, and that was it.
“So, you know the plan, right?” Mitch asked.
“Yes. No need to go over it again. It’s not complicated.” Dani was finding it hard to focus on what Mitch was saying. She kept her head turned away from the water. Just smelling the salt air turned he
r stomach.
“Okay. The meeting spot is about a fifteen-minute walk from here. We’re going to follow this gravel path.” He indicated with his hand. “And then Logan and I are going to enter the woods farther down and make our way over to where you are supposed to meet them. We’ll guide you to where you have to turn off the main path. Don’t worry. We’ll keep an eye on you the whole time. Nothing will happen.” Mitch raised his gun.
It didn’t make her feel better the way he probably thought it would.
“Here’s your earbud. You’ll be able to communicate with us the whole time.”
She nodded. She liked the look of the wide gravel path. It turned away from the water.
Logan smiled and gave her arm a quick squeeze. “It’s going to be fine.”
She nodded again. As they walked away from the lot, it amazed her how quickly they lost site of the parking lot. The path was wide but the trees were densely packed. Who knew there was such a large forest in the middle of the city? If she didn’t know better, she could be back in Alaska. A few minutes later, Mitch and Logan disappeared into the woods.
Being suddenly alone, fear sizzled in her belly. Surrounded by trees, the wind howling through the leaves had the hair on her neck standing on end. She just wanted this to be over with. She needed to be done with all of this.
A few minutes later, her earbud crackled and Mitch instructed her to turn left. She turned and stared at the woods. There was a very narrow pathway. She couldn’t see anything or anyone, but that was the whole point.
She crept slowly down the path. Where the other one had been small stones. This one was all wooded. It was a trail with roots and pine needles on the ground. She shivered. After she’d gone another hundred yards or so, Mitch told her to stop.
Even though it was still daylight, the forest around her was shrouded in gloom. The lack of light made the forest eerie and threatening. The smell of moisture and dead foliage filled her nose. If she listened hard, she could hear ocean waves hitting the shore. No need to do that.
Hit and Run: A Thrilling Novel of Romantic Suspense (Callahan Security series Book 3) Page 21