Page 15 of Evening Shadows

Turning her back to the men, she kept her voice low, hoping they wouldn’t push her until she could talk Bev into their coming or at least calm Bev down enough to get the information they’d need. “Bev,” she said soothingly, hoping to quiet the hysterical woman, “you know I’m there for you and will do everything in my power to rescue Cody, but I can’t do this alone. I need HIS. You need HIS.”

The crying from her friend nearly broke her heart. No parent would want this to happen to them.

“I don’t want them anywhere near my son,” Bev said vehemently.

With a frustrated sigh and knowing time was of the essence, she gave up trying and turned back to the men. She shifted into her warrior mode because friend mode had failed. This was no time to hold a grudge or let hatred take over. She wouldn’t tolerate it on Bev’s part… or her own. Nothing mattered except finding Cody. “Give me the particulars.” She’d have rather had the call on speakerphone to keep them moving forward quickly, but she feared Bev would hang up and that couldn’t happen. If not that, she would say something that she really shouldn’t about what they’d discovered about Ken and Jesse. The thought made her blanch, the information still not settling well in her gut.

Bev needed to get off the phone to await a call from the kidnapper. If it went down like that. Besides, she didn’t need to know that Sam planned to bring the team with her. Bev needed them more than she cared to believe.

Sniffing and sounding as if she was trying to stop her crying, Bev asked, “What do you want to know?”

The men reappeared, and Franks tossed Jesse his tactical vest. Cowboy handed Ken his as if he planned to go. She eyed him while Bev composed herself. Why his vest? With his injury, he couldn’t be much help.

As Bev answered Sam’s questions, she watched the byplay in the room as the team saddled up. Apparently, Jesse was surprised by Ken suiting up too, because he cocked one eyebrow at him in question.

“It’s Adam’s son. I’m going.” There’d been no question in Ken’s words, only a matter of fact. She’d heard that tone before, but as far as she knew, it was reserved for an op.

Sam’s gaze bounced back and forth between the two agents, curious to Jesse’s response. Despite Ken’s injury, while he couldn’t help them in the field, he could lead the investigative side of the crime while the team traveled to wherever the hell they needed to go. And she would go to hell if she had to rescue her pseudo nephew.

She tossed another question at Bev, who seemed more focused, despite the tremor in her voice, as she told Sam what she knew.

Jesse nodded at Ken. “All right.” He glanced around the room and Sam followed his gaze. Devon had a phone nestled between his shoulder and ear, he gave a thumbs-up before returning to typing furiously on his computer.

She nearly sagged with relief knowing that meant the plane hadn’t departed and became theirs. Knowing Trent would agree with priorities, she didn’t feel guilty.

The men stood over the table, looking at what Sam thought might be a map of Columbus, yet appeared to be waiting for a command to move out.

Knowing she had enough information for them to start, and the need for Bev to keep her phone line open since she didn’t have a ransom demand, only a note that saidNo police, Sam put an end to the call. “Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She estimated it would be a few hours, but she’d have to double-check before she promised that. Bev’s wails began again, and Sam took a deep breath wishing she could calm her friend through the phone. But it was of no use; she just needed to get to her.

“Bev. Bev. Listen, I’m coming to you. We’ll figure this out. You stay where you are in case Cody comes home or someone calls. Remember to keep your phone line open and don’t do anything rash. Your and Cody’s lives are too valuable. Don’t fret, I’ll help you through this.” Her and six well-trained men on location and one left behind to do that magic he did on the computer were all that was needed. They were the best; she was confident with that knowledge.

“Hurry,” Bev said through wails.

Sam’s heart broke for her troubled friend. She’d do whatever it took to find Cody, even bringing the men Bev never wanted to see. Sam would beg for forgiveness after they rescued the boy.

Instead of immediately briefing in the war room, Jesse caught everyone’s attention. “All right,” he said, without looking at Ken, “I’m going to tag along as an extra gun. Now, grab your gear and get your asses to the airfield pronto. We’ll meet in the usual spot and brief in the air.”

Without another word, her four teammates departed, leaving her, her team leader, and their big boss. She appreciated the team knowing she needed to ride with them to the airport. Ken and Jesse would make all the decisions, although curiosity over who’d be leading this time since Ken was injured wandered through her mind.

Jesse looked pointedly at Sam and then Devon. “We’ll conference you in while Sam briefs us on the road. Is the plane ready and staying with us in Georgia?”

She thought it a little late to find out that bit of information. Then a bit of fear grabbed her. The jet had to remain available after their boots hit the ground. They fought the clock.

“The pilot had already pre-flighted for the fam’s trip, so the plane will be ready before you get there,” Devon responded. “Everyone will agree you have priority. I’ll get the closest airfield information to the pilot so she can change the flight plan before you arrive. The plane and pilot will be at your disposal during the search. I’ll also get a weapons clearance for both airports.”

Jesse nodded then turned back to her and Ken. “Let’s go.”

The three walked at a fast clip to the back of the building where they kept their vehicles. They climbed into a waiting, black SUV, the other team’s vehicle having already departed.

Before their SUV had even been moved out of Park, Jesse connected his phone to the SUV’s Bluetooth. Once completed, he phoned Devon on hands-free so they could all hear.

“Go,” Devon said in answer.

At this point, the necessity of brevity to get the ball rolling had her spurting out single words and short phrases of what she’d learned from Bev, as she answered his questions. “Nine years old, male, six hours.” Since Bev had been gone most of the day, six hours happened to be the best guess.

“Ransom demand?” Devon shot questions at her rapid-fire, barely giving her a chance to breathe.

“No.”

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