Page 104 of One Final Target

“Jodie had died?”

Collins nodded.

The energy drinks had worn off and he was crashing, big-time. Lord knew Sam was tired. But he had to stay sharp.

“Jonah was so upset when she escaped. He couldn’t believe it. We rigged everything so perfectly.” He yawned. “I thought it would please him if I finished the job. You came along and messed it all up.”

“Is that why I’m here now?”

“Yeah.” He put his head back and closed his eyes, sounding punchy now. “You were bait. Then it all went wrong when the other woman cop hooked up with the ATF and started sniffing around about the C-4.” His voice faded out and Sam feared he would fall asleep and stop talking.

“What about the C-4?”

Then a voice from outside interrupted.

“Dennis, are you there? Is everything okay?”

CHAPTER58

SAM LOOKED AT COLLINS,who smiled.

“I told you so,” he said in a singsongy voice.

Peering out the window, Sam could barely see the top of Jonah’s head. He was behind the SUV. If Jodie was with him, he couldn’t tell.

“Dennis, say something,” Jonah yelled again.

“Go ahead,” Sam said. “Tell him you’re a bit tied up.”

“I’m not saying anything until you take these handcuffs off,” Collins whispered.

“I know you’re in there, Gresham. You should know that I’m holding a gun to Jodie’s head now. I want to know if Dennis is all right.”

Sam glanced over at Dennis, then turned to the window. “He’s fine. He doesn’t want to talk.”

“Okay, I don’t have time to play games. Here’s what I’m going to do.”

Sam watched as Jodie was pushed to the front of the SUV. Her hands were cuffed in front and Jonah had a rope looped around her waist, entrapping her hands. His heart dropped. Bennett had a gun pointed at her head, but he made himself a small target.

“Right now, send me Dennis. Or she dies.”

Sam had no choice. He grabbed Collins by the arm and pulled him up. Opening the front door, he pushed the kid out in front of him but held him in place.

“Here he is. Send me Jodie.”

“Sam, stop stalling. I have all the cards.”

“They know all about you. I called—they’re on the way.”

“I called as well. I want them to come. I want Mike King here. And anyone else who is stupid enough to get in my way. And since they’re coming, as I knew they would, they’re going to meet some booby traps first.”

Collins giggled. “Should be boom-be traps.”

As if on cue, Sam heard what sounded like an explosion in the distance, in the direction of the road he figured the deputies he called would be using. His hand closed around the gun. He had no clear shot, and Jonah had Jodie.

Bennett tossed his keys, which landed at Sam’s feet. “Unlock him, Sam, and give him the gun now. I’m through playing.”

All Sam could think of was stopping Jonah from shooting Jodie. He prayed, stalling, hoping the Lord would show him the way out of whatever was next.

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