Page 45 of Shrouded Past

“I know where she is.”

Silence followed. Had his employer heard him?

“What makes you think we don’t have her already?”

No, no, no. No way. He knew this for a fact.

“Because the person you sent to replace me is dead.”

His pulse ticked off every single one of the seconds that passed before he received an answer.

“You’re only postponing the inevitable. You failed. Twice. You must pay for your failures.”

“Did you hear me? I know where she is. Give me another chance. I can guarantee I’ll have her and deliver her to you within twenty-four hours.”

A weary-sounding sigh followed. “Your time is running out. I suggest you use your time wisely.”

The call ended. The warning hung in the stale air of the car like regret. He debated on what to do. He didn’t know where she was being held but there was a way to find her. Was he willing to risk his life to regain favor with his employer? Or should he hightail it off the island and run for his life? He could change his name. His appearance. Maybe head up to Alaska. Would it be enough to save his life?

The bile rising in his throat told him he couldn’t run far or fast enough to escape the wrath that was coming his way. The only way to save himself was to find her. Use her as leverage. A trade. Her life for his.

???

“The weather is calling for a direct hit on the island by Hurricane Henre,”Will said when he called to tell them nothing of any consequence had been found at Edmon’s home.

“Right now, it’s been downgraded to a Category 3, but the meteorologists are concerned. They think it might gain strength and slam into Hope Island and the neighboring islands even farther north.”

Piper didn’t like the sound of that, and from the expressions on each member of the Hope Island Security team’s faces, they didn’t either.

Rachel reached for her husband’s hand. “I still remember the one that hit when you and I first met. It did a lot of damage. I don’t like this development.”

JT agreed. “It might be time to evacuate.”

Will nodded. “The order has been given. My wife is taking our family to the mainland. If you’d like, I can have her take your families with her. She’ll be staying at her mother’s place. There’s plenty of room.”

Rachel appeared relieved. “Yes, please. Eli, Declan, Janine, we should get your people to safety as well.”

“That would be great. I’ll call Bennett,” Janine told her.

Declan and Eli did the same.

“The bay area may be protected from the storm, depending on how much steam this one will gain before it strikes. My team is on full alert,” Will told them. “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be to the case, but if something happens, give me a call. And as soon as I have the DNA results, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, Will.” JT ended the call. “Sounds like we have a decision to make. Do we stay here or evacuate?”

Both choices, in Piper’s opinion, were bad. Staying meant they’d be fighting the kidnapper as well as the storm. Leaving would make them vulnerable.

“Let’s see what the storm ends up doing,” Bryce said. “If the order to evacuate has already been given then chances are those who are going to leave will do so soon.”

“That’s usually what happens.” Katrina fixed her blonde hair up into a bun on top of her head. “I was still in high school when the last big one hit. We ended up leaving the island. I remember there was so much damage to the island.” She shook her head.

“Let’s hope we can find this guy and get him arrested before the storm strikes.” Bryce glanced out the kitchen window as the new day was still in its infant stage.

“I’m going to run home and pack up the kids’ stuff before they evacuate.” Rachel glanced around the room. “Anyone want to come with me?”

“I do.” Janine gathered her laptop and bag.

“You’ve turned into quite the softie,” Eli ribbed her. “Tough as nails former FBI agent.”

---