Page 56 of Breaking Rules

“We have to find Hartman before he meets the same fate as Alex,” Sam said, his voice filled with urgency. “Maybe Kevin has found something at his house.”

Sam put his phone on speaker. “Hey, Kev, we’ve identified the man in that photo,” Sam said, his voice carrying a note of excitement. “It’s Nathan Rickman.”

“That’s huge,” Kevin replied, his voice crackling slightly through the speaker.

“What have you found at the house? Anything?” Sam asked.

“Nothing. Just the mess you saw and the broken glass. Looks like there was a bit of a struggle outside the door, and they pulled the car around back in the grass,” Kevin said.

“We need to figure out where they would have taken Hartman,” Jo said. “I think it’s probably a very long shot that they took him to the same place they took Alex.”

“It has to be somewhere out of the way. He wouldn’t risk taking him to his home or Convale,” Wyatt said.

“What about that Obsidian Enterprises company?” Kevin suggested. “The one that owns the land we searched. Maybe they have other properties?”

Sam smiled. He’d been impressed with Kevin’s progress since his accident and had been trying to give him more responsibility, but still, he’d been hesitant. But this past week, all the contributions Kevin had made, including remembering the photo and Obsidian Enterprises, proved that he was truly back up to speed, his memory sharper than ever.

“Great idea.” Wyatt’s fingers flew across the keyboard. “Got it! There’s another parcel of land owned by Obsidian. Looks like there’s some kind of structure on it.”

“We need to check it out,” Sam said determinedly. “Kevin, we’re heading out now. We’ll pick you up on the way.”

Lucy jumped to her feet, eager to join the action. Sam got her bulletproof vest out of the closet.

When they had all their gear, they headed to the door. Lucy and Sam were in the lead. But this time, they had an addition in the rear. Major had hopped down from the filing cabinet and was following them to the door.

Reese, who had been standing near the desk, scooped up the black cat. “Not this time, Major,” she said softly, stroking his fur. “You’re staying here with me.” She glanced up at the others. “You guys be careful.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

The SUV bounced along the dirt road, kicking up dust in its wake. Sam gripped the steering wheel, his jaw clenched. Beside him, Jo scanned the surroundings, her green eyes sharp. Lucy sat at attention in the back.

“There.” Jo pointed. “That must be it.”

Sam followed her gaze. Nestled on a cliffside, a small cabin came into view. Obsidian Enterprises’ property. Remote. Isolated. The perfect place for shady dealings.

He slowed and pulled off to the side. In the car behind them, Kevin and Wyatt did the same. They didn’t want anyone in the cabin to know they were there, so they spoke in whispers and kept out of view.

“Someone’s here.” Kevin nodded toward the car parked beside the cabin.

They approached on foot, steps measured, hands hovering near their holsters. The cabin was a ramshackle affair of weathered boards and peeling paint. But the view—that was something else. Breathtaking vistas of the valley below stretched to the horizon.

Sam gestured to a grimy window. They peered inside.

“Shoot,” Jo breathed.

Dominic Hartman, bound to a chair. A young, wiry man pacing nearby—probably one of Nathan Rickman’s thugs that he had do his dirty work. And there, in the corner, the unmistakable figure of Nathan Rickman.

Sam’s pulse quickened. He met Jo’s gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. It was time to move.

“Kevin, Wyatt, take the back,” Sam whispered. “Jo and I will take the front. Wait for my signal.”

Kevin and Wyatt disappeared around the corner, footsteps silent. Sam caught Jo’s eye again. They’d been in tough spots before, but this—this felt different.

Lucy chuffed, her body tense, waiting for the action. Sam laid a hand on her head, a silent reassurance.

“Ready?” he mouthed to Jo.

She nodded, her jaw set. They moved into position, and Sam tried the knob. The door opened, and they rushed through.

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