Page 20 of Tango
“Lake Tahoe,” they say in unison.
“There’s a small cabin up there on King’s Beach. We took her there the month after adopting her and went back every year until she was eighteen. It’s her favorite place in the world.”
“Can you give me the address for the cabin?”
“I can. It’s saved in my phone.” He reaches into his pocket and withdraws his cell phone. After pulling up the information, he offers it to me. “Feel free to send it to yourself.”
“I will, thanks.”
“Mr. Hunt, Alice is a good kid. She’s strong, smart, resilient—but she’s not unbreakable. After losing Ramiro, and now this—we’re worried.”
“Tucker,” I correct then fire off a text to myself before promising, “and I’ll find her.”
I just hope I’m not too late.
Jemma looks over at Frank. “You must know that Alice would never have hurt Ramiro.”
“I’m not sure what to believe,” Frank replies honestly. “Though I have to admit, I don’t believe your daughter is behind it.”
“We adored Ramiro,” Jemma says. “He came to Alice’s last birthday party, and we had the pleasure of meeting him.”
“Thank you. He’s a good kid,” Frank says. His phone dings, so he pulls it out of his pocket and checks the message. When he looks back at me, his expression has turned furious. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Tucker?”
“Sure. Excuse us.” I offer the Sterlings a smile then follow Frank down the steps and toward his truck. As he always does, Tango follows me. “What is it?”
“Those FBI agents that took custody of your two bruisers? Not FBI.”
“You’re sure?”
He nods. “I called my contact on the way here, and he just sent me a message saying that the names and badge numbers belong to legitimate agents, both of whom were at the field office when Detective Simmons said he was forced to hand over custody.”
“You have got to be kidding me.” I shake my head and place both hands on my hips. “Alaric said he even called to verify that they were agents.”
“They must have somehow controlled where the call went. Is that possible?”
I nod. “Unfortunately, they could have rerouted it.” I take a deep breath. “Okay. So they’re out and likely know that the Sterlings are with me.”
“We need to move them,” Frank says. “I have some safe houses I can take them to. Places where no one will find them.”
Bradyn’s truck pulls up in front of my parents’ house, and he climbs out of the driver’s side while Elliot gets out of the passenger seat. A beat later, Riley steps out of the back, along with Bravo, Echo, and Romeo—their three service dogs.
“What is it?” Bradyn asks, his superpower clearly picking up on the issue.
“Two bruisers I apprehended in California were just taken out of an LAPD interview room by men posing as FBI agents.”
“That’s problematic,” Elliot says.
“Guess we got here at the right time,” Riley replies, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
“We have a bigger problem. They’re after Alice Sterling and likely know that I’m the one who has her parents. It’ll only be a matter of time before they trace them here.”
“I was just telling Tucker I can take them to a safe house,” Frank offers.
“Won’t matter,” Elliot says. As always, his baseball cap is on backward. He crosses both arms. “They’ll suspect they’re here and come anyway. Better we keep them here where we can protect them.”
Frank nods. “Tell me what I can do to help.”
“Get with Bradyn,” I tell him. “I’m heading out as soon as possible to see if I can track Alice down and get her off the map before Web Safe finds her.” I glance back at the Sterlings, who are watching us intently from the porch swing.
