Page 126 of Deadly Revenge

“I told you I was smarter than she was. She’s waiting for a ransom note, and as soon as it gets dark, she’ll get it. Your problem will be over.”

“I want to be there. But—”

“My men will have the order completed by tonight. You can take it back with you.”

“What if she brings all the Russell County deputies with her?”

“She won’t, but if she does, I’ll know it.”

“You’re sure?”

“Guarantee it.”

“Okay ... I’ll be there. What time?”

Perfect. And as usual Ross had been predictable. “Why don’t you come about nine or even eight and you can help finish the order?”

“You’re sure you’ll know if she’s coming alone?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll know—the cops are too stupid to figure out I put a tracker on her vehicle and microphones in the house.”

He pocketed his phone and walked to the bedroom to check on Hart’s father. Sleeping like a baby—the medication he put in his drink worked like a charm.

The old man was gritty. Twice he’d tried to escape, which was the reason Sebastian had to sedate him. But now he needed him awake—Jenna Hart would insist on talking to him before she gave in to the ransom demand.

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“I don’t like it,” Max said. After checking the last cabin on the real estate agent’s list, they had returned to the sheriff’s office and were in the briefing room. “It’s too dangerous. And we don’t know who’s in the cabin.”

The registrations returned on the license plates hadn’t belonged to any of Sebastian’s known associates, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t recruited new ones.

“It’s our only option,” Jenna replied. “I’m doing it with or without backup.”

“I don’t like it either, but I don’t see any other options.” Alex leaned forward and pointed at the map spread out on the table. “As soon as it’s dark, deputies will take their positions.” She pointed to a ring of X’s on the map.

“Once Sebastian contacts me and sets up the ransom drop, I’ll drive to the spot, leave the photos, and you and Alex can arrest him,” Jenna said.

Max crossed his arms. “What if he wants you to bring the photos to the cabin?”

“I don’t think he will.”

“If he does,” Alex said, “Jenna will have a microphone she can attach to the outside wall. That way she won’t be caught with awire on her and we’ll hear everything that’s said. As soon as Jenna says her dad is there, we’ll storm the cabin.”

Even though he wanted to protest, Max held his peace. If he were in Jenna’s place, he’d do the same thing. Didn’t mean he had to like it, though.

“Okay, then, we’re all set.” Alex turned to Jenna. “Sebastian probably won’t contact you as long as he thinks you’re here, so go home and wait. Try to get some rest.”

Max escorted Jenna out of the building and to her SUV. The drive to her house was quiet. “He won’t make a move until after dark,” Max said before they entered the house.

“I know. I just wish he would call so this would be over.”

At 8:30, there was still no call. Max turned to Jenna. “It’s nice out. Why don’t we eat supper on the patio,” he said as she paced the kitchen. Jenna checked her watch, probably for the tenth time in the last thirty minutes.

“Is it that time already?”

“It’s past time to eat.”

“I’m still not hungry.”

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