She wiped her damp cheeks. Even injured, he’d find a way to win. He had to.
“There’s a strip mall with security cams near the gas station where he used the card. It shouldn’t take me long to access it.” Luna muttered a few curses beneath her breath and typed rapidly.
Arden opened her eyes and gave Patch a weak smile. “How does she do that?”
“No one but another hacker would have a clue.” Tight lines bracketed his mouth. “Are you okay?”
“I’m better knowing you’re all here.”
“We’ll find him. If Thanos’s intention was to kill him immediately, he would have done it at the site of the crash and left his body in the car.”
She wrapped her arms across her middle. “You don’t doubt he plans to kill him,” she said flatly. “It’s just a matter of when.”
“Whatever he’s plotting will be his downfall. Wolf is far from helpless under any circumstances.”
Patch hadn’t said what he was probably thinking. Even if Thanos is torturing him. When Henry jumped onto her lap and butted her hand with his head, she held him close and prayed.
“Ha! I have a perfect view of the gas station. All I have to do is blow up the image . . .” Luna tapped a few more keys. “This feed is from the time the card was charged. There were three cars at the pumps.”
GQ leaned over the back of the couch. “The old dude driving the Lincoln obviously isn’t Thanos. I can’t see who’s in the vehicle on the other side of him, but it looks like a woman pumping gas into the blue car.”
After a minute, the older man replaced the nozzle, got in his Lincoln, and pulled away. The vehicle on the far side was a black pickup. A handsome Hispanic man said something to the woman as she finished pumping her gas. She nodded and turned around.
Arden stared and blinked.
“Damn. Thanos must have given his card to someone else to use again. We’ll have to trace all three of them,” Patch muttered.
Luna looked up and frowned. “Surely he would have chosen a person he knows, not a random stranger.”
Words stuck in Arden’s throat as Nicole walked around her car, waved to the man pumping gas, and got in. Her friend. A woman she’d known and trusted for years.
It’s just a coincidence.
“What’s wrong, Arden?” Patch’s voice was low but intense. “You aren’t going to faint on me, are you?”
She tore her gaze away from the screen as the blue car drove away. “I know her. Nicole Welch. She’s our neighbor.” Her voice cracked. “She’s a good friend. She would never . . .”
Three pairs of eyes stared at her, pity in their depths. And anger.
Luna shut the laptop. “We’ll start with the woman.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The pain was excruciating. An insistent pounding, as if someone was knocking his head against a wall over and over and over again. Slowly, Brody cracked open his eyes and focused on his surroundings. The living space held a plaid couch, a rock fireplace with a raised hearth, paneled walls hung with deer antlers and mounted fish, and shuttered windows on either side of a solid door. His arms had been pulled behind him and tied with rope that dug into his wrists. Likewise, his ankles were bound to the old wooden rocking chair that swayed when he shifted in the seat. Only the snapping of the fire heating the rustic cabin disturbed the silence.
He was alone, but Thanos probably hadn’t gone far. The last thing he remembered was the man’s sneering face as he swung something at his skull. His left forearm hurt almost as much as his head, and the awkward angle it was bent backward wasn’t helping. He hoped it was only bruised and not broken.
As the fuzziness in his brain began to clear, he couldn’t help wondering why he wasn’t dead already. Surely that was the man’s ultimate goal. Maybe he wanted to have a little fun and torture him first. Which meant his job was to endure the agony and stay alive until his team found him.
Even groggy and disoriented, he was up to the task.
The door squeaked as it swung open, and Thanos strolled into the room. Outside, the only illumination came from a glimmer of stars before he shut the door with a thump. No street lights. The cabin was somewhere isolated.
“You’re awake.” He walked to the fireplace and threw another log into the cavernous space.
“I guess you didn’t hit me hard enough.”
“You’ll be more entertaining alive than dead. After all the trouble you’ve caused me, I wouldn’t want to kill you too soon.”
Brody blinked crusty eyes. “What do you have in mind? Thumb screws? Waterboarding?”
“Nothing so pedestrian. I’ll let you watch me kill your pretty little wife before I put a bullet through your heart. You know, I’m almost glad you didn’t burn alive in that cabin. This will be more satisfying.”
The blood pounded in his temples as he jerked against the ropes. “You touch Arden, and I’ll make your death slow and painful. Don’t push me, Thanos.”
His laughter had an ugly ring. “Strong words from a man tied to a chair. You look like shit, by the way. Your face is covered in blood. I think I broke your nose with that tire iron.”
Brody didn’t bother to respond, just stared at his adversary as he picked at the knots binding his wrists. They didn’t budge. “How’d you know when to lay the rippers across the road? I could have been delayed in traffic after leaving the airport.”
“I put a tracker on your car. You were in such a rush to get home, you didn’t bother checking the undercarriage. Rookie mistake.”
“You aren’t as smart as you think, asshole.” The more he tugged against his restraints, the tighter they grew. He gritted his teeth and swore beneath his breath.
“You may as well quit struggling and get comfortable. There’s no way in hell you’ll get those knots loose, and I expect we’ll be here for a while. From what I’ve been told, police are swarming your neighborhood, beating the bushes looking for you after the accident. I’ll have to wait until it quiets down to grab your wife.”
Brody’s eyes narrowed as he wondered who was feeding Thanos information. They were nowhere near Marblehead. He’d caught a quick glimpse of thick forest beneath the stars when the man entered the cabin, and the air smelled earthy, not the salty scent of the sea.
“My team won’t let you within a mile of her.”
“They’ll get restless and go looking for you. Another charge on that card should send them scurrying off on another fool’s errand. Then it’s just a matter of luring Arden away from her watchdog for a few moments.” He stood with his feet planted wide in front of the flames shooting up the chimney. “Child’s play. I’ll get a good night’s sleep and head out first thing in the morning.”
“I need to use the bathroom.”
Thanos grinned. “Do I look stupid? No way in hell am I untying you. You’ll have to piss yourself.”
Brody looked away from his tormentor’s smug smile. His team had all night to find him. Surely, the man had made mistakes, left clues that would provide Luna with enough information to—
“You sound like your whiny kid.”
His head snapped around. “What?” The word hissed between his teeth.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” he mimicked in a high voice. “I want my mommy.”
Brody closed his eyes as his heart cracked open. Thanos was a dead man walking. A dead man talking. He couldn’t wait to wrap his fingers around his neck and squeeze the life out of him. Sending his soul straight to hell.
* * * *
“You’re confident you can do this? We don’t want to tip her off too soon?” Patch’s eyes reflected his worry. “It isn’t easy lying to someone you know well.”
“I don’t have to lie.” Arden clenched her hands into fists at her sides. “If Nic is somehow involved with that man . . . If she had anything to do with our son’s death . . .” She took a long breath as she fought to compose herself. “Believe me, I’ve got this.”
Luna’s eyes were wide as she stepped up an
d pulled Arden into a hard embrace. She didn’t speak, just offered support—a human touch when she needed it most.
Finally, Arden drew back and picked up the landline sitting on the end table. She put the phone on speaker and with a steady finger, pushed the numbers to call her friend . . . or the woman she’d always thought was her friend. Shoulders stiff, she waited while it rang.
“Hello.” Not Nicole. Her husband.
“Hi, Tim. It’s Arden.”
“Arden, how are you? I answered Nic’s phone when I saw it was you. She’s upstairs putting the boys to bed. Do you know what’s going on out there? When I drove home a while ago, there were cops everywhere.”
“Brody’s car went off the road. The police think he wandered away from the wreck, concussed and disoriented.” A sob slipped out. “I’m afraid he got swept into the water.”
“Oh, my God! That’s awful! How can we help?”
“I need a friend. I’m losing it right now. Would you mind if Nic came over to stay with me until they find him?”
“Of course not. Hold on. I’ll get her.”
After a minute of silence with a few muffled words spoken in the background, Nicole came on the line. “I can’t believe it.” Her voice was tearful “Of course I’ll come over.”
“I’ll be out in the backyard if you want to walk up the beach. I feel like I can’t breathe in here. I need some air. If Brody—”
“Stay positive. I’m sure he’s fine. I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks, Nic.” She hung up and shuddered. “I still can’t believe she’s involved.”
“You did terrific. This way, she won’t see our cars in the driveway and get spooked.” GQ headed out of the room. “I’ll get in position down below on the beach.”
Arden closed her eyes for a moment, trying desperately not to fall apart. “If Nic knows where Thanos took Brody, I’ll damn well make her talk.”
Silas walked beside her toward the rear of the house. “I’ll be close. If you feel at all threatened . . .”
“I’m not afraid of her. Not in the least.”
“Be careful. Once she realizes you’re onto her, she may surprise you.”
“Silas is right.” Luna touched her arm. “Patch and I will be well within earshot. If she clams up, we’ll haul her inside and persuade her to talk. However, if the woman has a conscience, she might crack faster for you.”
Arden shuddered. She grabbed a random jacket off the rack near the door and shrugged it on, then flipped on the outdoor floodlights as she left the house. With an encouraging nod, Silas broke away to go toward the pool house while she walked straight to the top of the stairs. The wind whipped her hair around her face as she hugged the flannel lined coat close. Down the beach, a shadow moved, Nicole running along the strip of sand.
Her friend’s betrayal was inconceivable. Numbness kept her from crying or shouting or pounding her fists against the rock wall. There’d be time for that later. Right now, she needed answers, and she’d get them. One way or the other.
Nic ran up the stairs, out of breath and gasping for air as she pulled her close for a tight hug. “Brody will be all right. He has to be. Have you heard anything new from the police?”
“No.” She extricated herself from the other woman’s arms and stared out over the waves. “The authorities are wasting their time. Brody didn’t wander off. Someone caused that wreck and took him.”
“What are you talking about?” Her confusion sounded nearly convincing.
“The man who torched my cabin and tried to kill me. The same one who kidnapped River. That’s who I’m talking about.”
Nicole backed up a step and pressed a hand to her chest. “He’s the same person who abducted your son?”
“Don’t you think I’ve suffered enough at his hands? I can’t lose Brody, too.” Her voice hardened. “I won’t lose Brody.”
“My God, Arden! Do you know where that madman took him? Why aren’t the police—”
“That’s the problem. We don’t know where Thanos is holding him.” She reached out and grabbed Nicole’s arm. “I need to know where he took him.”
Her eyes widened as her face paled. “Why are you looking at me like that? I realize you’re crazy with worry, but—”
“You used his credit card to get gas earlier. It’s over, Nic. Maybe if you help us—”
“The boys had a playdate. I stopped at the gas station on the way home after picking them up. What does that have to do with any of this?” Her lips trembled, and tears ran down her cheeks. “You’re freaking me out, Arden.”
She stared hard into her friend’s eyes and saw nothing but confusion and fear. Not a hint of guilt. Are we wrong about her?
“Two other people were pumping gas when you were at the station.”
A frown pleated her brow. “I guess so. I spoke to Alejandro, the man Sabrina’s been dating off and on.”
“Sabrina?” Arden’s voice faltered, and she glanced toward the tennis courts between the pool house and the neighboring yard.
“Alejandro said he was filling his truck courtesy of some guy Sabrina knows. Something about paying it forward. I wasn’t really listening because the boys were in the back seat yelling that they were starving.”
Arden tightened her grip on her arm. “Is Sabrina home right now?”
“I think so. Her car was in the driveway earlier. I talked to her Sunday night, and she said her ex has the girls this week, so I suppose she could have gone out after I got home.”
Arden released her and turned. “I have to go.”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“I’ll explain later. I’m sorry I doubted you.” As she ran toward the neighbor’s house, the wind carried her tearful words. “I’m so sorry.”
Silas caught her before she reached the cherry trees along the property line. “Hold on. The team will need to get into position before you go barging in there.”
“Sabrina! That bitch sold us out to Thanos!” She was shaking with so much anger, her teeth rattled.
Patch hurried up beside them. “I’ll come with you to the front door. One look at your face, and she’s going to know we’re onto her.”
“Doesn’t matter. I doubt she’ll give up any information without pressure.”
“Oh, she’ll talk.” He glanced over at Silas. “Cover the side exit in case she tries to run. GQ is heading around the back, and Luna will follow us in once she grabs her laptop.”
“Got it.”
Silas loped away, and Arden and Patch crossed the lawn to approach the front of the house. Sabrina’s red sports car was parked in the driveway. There was no sign of the black truck that had been at the gas station earlier.
“Hopefully she’s here alone,” Patch murmured. “The simpler we can make this, the faster we’ll get answers.”
Arden nodded. She strode up the walkway to the door and pushed the bell a couple of times. After a few seconds, footsteps echoed faintly from within. The door swung open a couple of feet, and Sabrina gave her an assessing glance from behind it.
“You look ready to chew someone’s head off. Did they find Brody. The police said—”
Patch stepped out of the shadows and pushed the door wide. “Let’s go discuss his disappearance, shall we?”
Sabrina’s face lost most of its color, and she whirled around. Before she’d taken two steps, Arden grabbed a handful of her hair and jerked. The other woman let out a sharp cry.
“You horrible, rotten bitch! Did you help him kidnap my baby, too?” She pulled harder. “Did you?”
“I didn’t do anything! I swear to God, I didn’t.”
Arden let go of her after another jerk. “I don’t believe you.”
Patch took a tight hold of Sabrina’s arm and led her into the living room. Luna joined them carrying her laptop. An old romcom Arden had seen a couple of times was playing on the large screen TV. She picked up the remote and turned it off.
“Where did Thanos take Brody?”
> “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.” Sabrina crossed her arms over her chest and took a step toward the French doors leading out to a deck. When GQ pushed them open and came inside to lean against the wall, she crumpled onto the couch.
“You’re going to answer our questions,” Patch said in a conversational tone. “You can make it easy on yourself or difficult. We know you’re associated with Demetri Thanos, and we can prove it, so you may as well cooperate.”
She didn’t bother wiping away the tears that trailed down her cheeks. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Nothing. I answered a few of his questions. Not exactly state secrets.”
“Where did he take my husband?” Arden clenched her fists. “If you help us find Brody before that bastard kills him, maybe the courts will go easier on you.”
“I don’t know where he took him! I swear, I don’t. All I did was send Alejandro to buy gas with Demetri’s credit card. That’s hardly a crime.”
“Accessory to murder is.” Luna sat down in the chair opposite her. “Let’s start with what you do know. Thanos would have gone somewhere reasonably close, somewhere he feels safe. He surely wouldn’t have hauled a struggling or unconscious man through an apartment house or anywhere populated.”
“I’m the only person he’s connected to around here, which is why he forced me to follow his orders. Not my choice! He’s from Queens, although I think he lives in Manhattan now.”
“We know he’s from New York.” Patch bit off each word. “How’d you meet him?”
“We hooked up years ago in St. Croix and dated for a while. I hadn’t seen him in ages when he called me out of the blue after I moved to Marblehead. He asked questions about your habits and paid me to give him information.” She broke down, and long seconds ticked by before she pulled herself together enough to speak coherently. “I was newly divorced and close to losing my home. I had no idea he was going to kidnap River.” Her voice rose. “I swear to you, Arden.”
Arden closed her eyes and struggled against the urge to grab her and pound her to a bloody pulp. She had to focus on the present and not get bogged down by a past she couldn’t change. “Where would he take Brody? You must have some idea.”
Imminent Danger (A Counterstrike Novel Book 3) Page 27
