Page 83 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“I’m ready whenever you are.” I stepped back, turning to walk past my best friend. The aching in my heart had only grown. It was evident in everything I did. Even burying deep within my voice to make the yearning visible in my tone. I was heartbroken without her. Alone.

“Snyder should be an easy connection. We should be in and out.”

I didn’t care. I headed through the living room, grabbing my leather jacket. Where was there left to look? I’ve been back to Cedar so many times and found nothing. No sign of a return. Nothing but Jeff’s decomposing body. It wasn’t a mystery of what had happened. It was clear. Jim had killed him for one reason or another. Whatever it was made me sick. Especially since they were so close and we hadn’t looked in the area fast enough. The killer had Kit and my child and there was no way for me to track them down. No clues to reveal their whereabouts.

The keys to my new SUV were on the counter and I grabbed them in a daze. By settling for something more family oriented, I thought it would help with my motivation to continue my search. And it had for a while. Now, all it reminded me of was what I didn’t have.

“You sure you’re good to do this? We can call and cancel until a better time if you want.”

I glanced at Palo, shaking my head. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Ed stood from the couch while Weston let out a groan as he put on his jacket. He was already healed, but the shot had caused nerve damage in his arm. Therapy would take time and he stayed in a bad mood because of it. The only plus side he saw was the fact that it didn’t affect his good arm—the one that held his gun.

As we loaded into my vehicle and I turned over the engine, I couldn’t help but take them all in. “Snyder will be waiting for us at the warehouse outside of Cedar. We’ve all known him for years, but keep your eyes open. Sometimes these things can turn bad. Watch everything.”

Light broke through the night as I put the car in drive and headed around the turn to leave my home. Everyone stayed silent, no doubt in their own heads about the risks of our situation. The consequences were never far from my mind. If it weren’t for my safety net, I probably would have worried more. But I was protected federally. Informed, if suspicion ever arose my way.

Clicking sounded in the back and I didn’t have to look to know the men were checking their weapons. We were loaded to the max and prepared for surprises. Not that I thought there would be any. Not with Mr. Snyder. He was one of Abe’s oldest contacts. A sure win with my proposition. The sixty year old man knew the business inside and out. What I had to offer was a deal too good for him to pass up. Plus, a friendship I planned to forge in stone. This was the hardest part. If I could win him over, we’d be set in one aspect. But there were others I had to meet with, had to convince. After that, I was done with this part.

Cedar came into view and I passed through, turning down a dirt road that began to weave us up through the mountains. Pitch black surrounded us on all sides and the SUV rocked through the pot holes of the well-worn dirt path. A light began to appear in the distance and I glanced over to Palo as he continuously ran his fingers through his hair. It wasn’t fear on his face, but excitement—adrenaline to the max.

I pulled in, putting the SUV in park. “Remember, watch for anything. Just because we know Snyder doesn’t mean we’re safe.”

At their nods, I opened the door, leading the men toward the warehouse. A man carrying a semi-automatic stood at the entrance, eyeing us before letting us through. I’d seen him on more than one occasion, but I didn’t know him personally.

“Father Harrison, so good of you to join me. Please, take a seat.”

A large table was centered in the middle of the open space. Crates surrounded us, loaded with pre-packaged drugs, no doubt a new shipment he’d received from someone else. Jim? Rory, when he’d been in charge? There was no telling.

“Mr. Snyder, it’s a pleasure to meet with you. Thank you for the opportunity.” I extended my hand, meeting him at the head of the table and then taking a seat in the chair next to his. My men moved in to stand behind me, just as Mr. Snyder’s did.

“I hear you have an offer I can’t refuse. Let me hear it.”

I glanced at Palo, who stepped forward, handing me a piece of paper.

“My informants tell me you’re paying an average of twenty-two thousand for a kilo of cocaine. From what I hear, it’s already been cut, taking away from the purity. What if I told you I can get the good stuff, for twenty? Unlimited supply.”

Mr. Snyder’s eyebrow rose and he nodded, slowing turning to glance back at one of his men. When he came back around, he held a pad of paper and a pen. “I’d say I’d be extremely interested if what you say is the truth.” He wrote down the figures, sitting straight when he finished. “I, of course, have a few questions concerning delivery. Contacts, so forth.”

“The only contact you need to know is these men behind me. They will accept the shipments and deliver them to you personally. Your name will not be spoken outside of this room.”

“Very intriguing proposition you propose, Father.”

“Intriguing, yes, but I can give you better.”

The voice that echoed through the warehouse sent my heart exploding in a frantic rhythm. My heels pushed from the floor as I bolted to my feet. Guilt, anger, and confusion collided, but didn’t last. To see Kit dressed in a black business suit with her hair twisted back…here…I fought to breathe. I didn’t want her to know this life. This side of me. I’d convinced her I was saving the town from what I was here doing. I was busted and I couldn’t ever see her accepting this.

“You must be Mr. McIntyre’s sister.” Mr. Snyder stood, extending his hand. Shuffling sounded behind me and I couldn’t think past seeing the woman I’d fallen in love with. A large group of men followed behind, each of them holding large guns. I couldn’t wrap my mind around what she was doing.

“Kathleen,” she said, extending her hand. “But my friends call me Kit.” Blue eyes shot to mine before she went back to looking at the contact.

“Kit. I like that. Please, take a seat on the other side of me and we’ll get down to business.”

“What are you doing here?” I bit out. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I’ve been worried sick.”

She swallowed hard, ignoring me as she sat across the table from me.

“Father Harrison offers you twenty thousand for a kilo. I offer eighteen…same conditions. Only I will have your name. And my men,” she said, gesturing behind her, “will gladly deliver to you here.”

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