Page 78 of Tough as Steele

If Clarice couldn’t see them, Londyn would pick up Nate’s hand resting on the gear shift and hold it tight. Maybe hug him. His pain had become her pain. Deep and insistent. She had to do better for him. Work harder to find Mimi, but how?

Were they overlooking something? Londyn just didn’t know.

Please. Please help us!

Clarice lowered her hand. “Why are you calling?”

“The private team I mentioned is doing the threat assessment, but I’m concerned about you going there alone.”

“What choice do I have?” Her voice trembled.

“This is the point where I have to give you my official law enforcement speech now.”

“Okay.” Clarice narrowed her eyes.

“I should tell you that this drop is likely to result in you losing the money and not gaining Mimi’s release.” Nate’s sudden no-nonsense tone was out of character for the man who loved this woman like a mother. Maybe he was distancing himself in case he lost her. Or he might be trying to get her to see the seriousness of the situation. “Also, once you pay them, they have no reason to keep Mimi alive.”

Clarice gasped.

He curled his free hand into a fist on his thigh. “I’m sorry, but you need to know what might happen. And if you go alone, it could be a plot to abduct you too to raise the ransom.”

Clarice clutched her necklace and worried the pearls between her fingers. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“You have to consider it and decide if these risks are acceptable to you.”

“She’s my mother, Nate. You of all people know you’d do anything not to lose your mother. And the company has plenty of reserves to finance this.”

“Yes,” he said. “But I needed you to know the risks.”

“I understand, and I’m willing to take them.”

“Then you’ll have to go alone as directed.” Nate’s fingers holding the phone turned white from his excessive grip. “I’ll be waiting nearby. But the officer at the house will give you a communications device so you can talk to me. If you need me, I’ll come running.” He let out a long breath. “And I hope to have a sniper focused on you so if anyone tries to abduct you, we can take him out.”

She shuddered. “This is really happening, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” he said, the single word hanging in the air like a lobbed grenade. “I wish I’d found her in time.”

“You’re doing your best. I know you are.” She dredged up a trembling smile, and it looked like it took all of her effort to manage it.

Nate shook his head, and Londyn knew how he felt. Sure, she didn’t have the close relationship to these two women that Nate had, but she did have a burning desire to find Mimi, and she was failing. She always promised her own mother she would do her very best to stay safe, but if it came down to risking her life to free Mimi, Londyn would risk her life. No questions asked.

19

Fifteen minutes before the nine o’clock ransom drop, Nate parked miles from the drop location, fighting the urge to take Londyn’s hand again. He was depending on her too much, and he had to be extra diligent not to lose his focus and his edge. He couldn’t forget about situational awareness, which had become a way of life since he’d served as a SEAL. He needed to know exactly what was happening around him at all times. Needed to assess potential threats and be ready to act.

To that end he’d arranged for officers in his department to set up a wide enough perimeter around the park that they wouldn’t be made but could cordon off the area in a flash if required.

He patted his pocket to confirm he had everything he needed.

“You’re deep in thought,” Londyn said.

“Just thinking about my carry, and if I’m ready to handle whatever I face.”

“I know you’re talking about everything you carry, but what’s your off-duty weapon of choice?”

“Usual carry is Sig P23 compact, but when I need something smaller like in the dress pants I wore to the party, Sig 365 is my choice.”

“How did you decide what to carry?”

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