She entered Hogan’s Alley, then slowed the car to a stop and looked at Ben, her foot on the brake. “So where is she, Ben?”
His eyes widened. Then he pulled up his jacket and removed a gun he’d tucked into the waist of his slacks. “How did you know?” he asked, his voice quavering.
“It had to be either you or Julie. I couldn’t believe anyone on our team would leak information to our UNSUB.” As she said the words, she realized she hadn’t been completely sure. If she had, she would have been more specific in the note and text to Logan. She’d known she was taking a chance by going with Ben alone, but she honestly couldn’t think of any other way to locate Kaely. Of course, she could have asked an officer to come along, but that would have made Ben suspicious.
And if she’d been completely sure about him, she also would have pulled out her gun first. Not doing so had been a mistake. She wasn’t a field agent, but she should have known better.
“Does anyone else know?” Ben asked.
“They may be suspicious, but they’re not certain.”
Alex could see the gun shaking in his hand.
“How could you?” she asked. “How could you betray your brothers and sisters in law enforcement? Is he paying you?”
“Shut up.”
Alex was surprised by the expression on his face. He looked tortured.
“Give me your gun,” he said. “Now.”
Alex reached for her holster and slowly removed her gun. She thought about shooting him right then, but she couldn’t take the risk. She still had no idea where Kaely was.
“Did he threaten you? Who does he have? Your wife? Your kids? Ben, it’s not too late. One call, and your family will have protection. You don’t have to do this.”
“I told you to shut up,” he said, his voice breaking. He took the gun from her hand and stuck it in his waistband.
“Has it occurred to you that he’s bluffing? If he’s here—and you’re here—I’m betting no one’s anywhere near your family.”
“I said shut up!” he yelled. “Just be glad you and Monty made it easy for me to get you out here. I didn’t want to...” She could see his twisted expression in the light coming from the interior car lights, but then his face tightened with resolve. “Drive to the pool hall. Now!”
Alex headed to the pretend pool hall. She pulled up in front of it and stopped.
“Park behind the building, then turn off the engine and the lights.”
After she followed his instructions, he held out the hand without the gun. “Give me the keys.”
Seeing an opportunity, and realizing that Kaely was probably nearby, she leaned closer as she held out the keys. Then she knocked the gun out of his hand and tried to grab it. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she had to get control of the situation. He was obviously uncomfortable with what he was doing. Maybe they could get help to Kaely without tipping off the man who was holding her.
She wrapped her fingers around the barrel, but Ben grabbed the grip, and they struggled. Alex almost had it when the gun went off. She felt something hit her with force. It took several seconds to realize she’d been shot.