Page 75 of Saved By the Marines (Soldiers Of Misfortune)

“It’s a local crime ring,” Brando replied. “They don’t usually deal in kidnappings.”

“Nope. That’s why this isn’t sitting well. They’re low level thugs. Kidnapping a senator’s daughter a week before the election isn’t really their style.”

“Low level isn’t entirely accurate,” Brando said. “They’re specialty is armed robbery, specifically armored cars. They’re not incompetent. They’re well-armed and they know how to put up a fight.”

“Thanks,” Wolfe told the cop, then pulled Brando off to the side. Weaver and Suave came over as well. “It’s Senator Michaels.”

“What?” Weaver asked, but there was a look of understanding creeping over his face. “Oh shit. He set up the kidnapping?”

“Kidnappings,” I told him. “He’s responsible for both.”

All three men shook their heads in disbelief. “What a fucking douchebag,” Suave muttered.

“He obviously didn’t learn his lesson the first time,” Jas muttered. “How do we know these criminals, this Copper Street Crew, won’t kill her?”

Wolfe growled. “He’s desperate, I wouldn’t put it past him to leave her to their mercy. Dead daughter is a guarantee for re-election.”

“You think he would go that far?” I asked

“I do, that’s why we have to get to her first.”

“How do we do that? They could have taken her anywhere,” I pointed out.

“I’ll pull in Z,” Weaver said. “She’ll help us. We’ll figure out who in Michaels’ life would be able to contact someone from this crew.”

“That could take hours,” I said with a sigh.

“Not with Z on it,” Brando promised. “You guys take a drive toward the city. We’ll get you something as fast as we can.”

“I’ll go with them,” Suave offered. “I’m not much help with the computers like you are.”

“I appreciate the help, Suave,” Wolfe said, “but I have another request.”

“Anything.”

“Could you go to the hospital? Sit with my folks? This crew knows what Dad looks like. They left him alive, but if they change their mind, he’s a sitting duck there. My mom, too.”

“Say no more,” Suave said. He shook our hands and left immediately to follow the ambulance.

“We’ll find her,” Brando promised.

Running upstairs, we grabbed our go bags. Inside was everything we’d need to lay siege to our enemies. Brando distracted the cops as we walked past with the bags and rifles. His eyes about bulged out of his head when he saw us brazenly walking out to the car with the bags. Watching him flail about, arms waving and ranting nonsensically as a distraction would have been humorous under any other circumstances. It worked though, the cops stayed glued to him and we walked right past.

We had everything loaded up and Wolfe was behind the wheel as we, once again, drove toward the city. We’d drive in circles all night if we had to. We just hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

We were only a few miles down the road when Brando called and patched in both Weaver and Z.

“I’m so sorry guys,” Z said. Her voice was thick as though she’d been crying. “If only I’d gotten you those names earlier, maybe we could have prevented this.”

“Don’t do that to yourself, Z,” Wolfe ordered. “This isn’t your fault, it’s her father’s. We need you to focus on finding her for us.”

“I’ve already checked the gang's usual hideouts,” she said. I didn’t bother to ask how, I trusted her. “They’re empty. The senator must have them hiding with different associates.”

“We’ve got a full list of everyone the senator is connected to,” Weaver told us. He let out a whistle. “It’s a long fucking list.”

“We’re just going to keep you on the call as we work,” Brando told us, “that way if you hear anything you can speak up.”

We listened quietly to tapping keys and them speaking back and forth as they ran background checks on everyone on the Senator’s list. They weren’t kidding about it being long.

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