“I don’t know if we can get the money by then. We only have five million cash with us.”
“Bring that. We need to make a big show of it. Three cars minimum. SUVs. Big ones.”
“Okay,” Ilario replied.
“You have to be strong for Angelica. Repeat it back, what time?”
“Nine thirty. Base of Big Blue.”
“Right. If you hear anything else, call me.”
Jack hung up the phone and stepped out of the bathroom. All three women were watching him.
“Get ready,” he announced.
Replacement jumped out of bed, groaned, wobbled, and headed for the bathroom.
He picked up the five shot .380 and frowned at the five-round chamber.
Kiku walked over to her backpack, reached inside, and pulled out another seventeen-round Glock.
Jack’s lips pressed together. “One of them has a semi-automatic. We’re outgunned, but the plan isn’t to get into a shootout. We’re going to follow Prescott there and call in the cavalry.”
Jennifer nodded.
Kiku lifted out the half-empty fifth and took a swig from the bottle, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and grinned. “What?” She smiled roguishly.
Jack headed for the door.
Replacement hurried back into the room.
He held up his hand. “I’m getting the Impala. I need to walk.”
Jack headed out the door and broke into a jog. The cold air felt good on his face. His feet tapped on the pavement as his speed increased. His lungs took in huge gulps of air, and he smiled as he felt the power of his own muscles.
Jack broke into a sprint and let go. He stopped thinking, stopped hurting, and just ran. Carl’s garage came into view too soon for Jack, and he slowed to a trot and then started to walk until he caught his breath.
He pulled out the burner phone and dialed.
“Undersheriff Morrison.” Morrison’s voice was still groggy with sleep. “Stratton?”
“Sir, I need to ask a favor.”
There was a long pause. “You can ask.”
“Sir, according to regulations, you have the authority to schedule emergency response drills.”
“What?”
“You have the—”
“I heard you, Jack, but I don’t understand where you’re going with this. Actually, I do understand where you’re going, but I don’t know why.”
“Sir, I need you to call out a drill…this morning.”
“This morning?” Something fell to the floor in the background.
“Right now.” Jack tipped his head. “Everyone in full tactical. Vests, masks—”
“Full tactical? What’re you prepping for? War?”
“Yes, sir.”
There was a long pause.
“Did you find her?”
“Not yet, sir. But we will this morning. I need only our men on this, sir. That’s why I need everyone in personal cars. No cruisers. No police radios. The gather point is Westbrook School. Oh eight hundred.”
“Westbrook?”
It’s five minutes from Big Blue, but far enough not to attract attention.
“Not to sound selfish, Jack, but I just left my wife sleeping in our bed, and I’m not going to throw away a career unless you give me something.”
“Walter Prescott’s the one behind it. He placed Marisa here. He came to Darrington the day she was taken, and he’s using guys from witness protection as his crew. I have photo evidence from the tolls. If I’m wrong, you’re just running a drill. If I’m right, then your career might take a hit because you helped me.”
“Hold up, Jack. I need to think.”
Jack walked over to the garage doors and undid the chain.
Undersheriff Morrison cleared his throat. “I’ll call the drill and make sure Prescott doesn’t know, but Jack, don’t be a hero.”
“Yes, sir.”
That’s Amore
Jack had gotten the Impala from Carl’s garage, and parked down the street from the Hometown Suites. Replacement was in the passenger seat, Kiku behind her, and Jennifer in the back next to her.
He looked at Replacement and the laptop in her hands. “Is it working?”
She nodded. “I have a strong signal. His car is still there.”
Jack held up his hand and dialed his phone.
“Prescott,” Walter answered.
“It’s Jack.”
“Stratton? Where the hell are you? You’ve got half the police force looking for you after—”
“Shut up, Prescott. The Mancinis got a call.”
“So now you want to try cooperating? I haven’t heard anything about a call.”
“They called me afterward. Listen. It’s going down at ten o’clock.”
There was a brief pause. “Ten?”
“Ten o’clock this morning. They told them to bring ten million dollars to the base of Big Blue. It’s right—”
“I know where the hell Big Blue is. Who told you this?”
Jack exhaled.
Wait. Let him stew.
“Marisa’s little brother.”
There was a long pause.
“It’s seven twenty now. I need to…get a team together.”
“I’m going to be there,” Jack said coldly.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll…I’ll keep you informed.”
Jack hung up the phone and exhaled.
“Brilliantly played, Officer.” Kiku grinned in the backseat.
Jennifer nodded. “He’ll think they’re double-crossing him. But why do you think he’ll go there?”
Jack pulled down the rearview mirror. “If you thought someone was going to rip you off for millions, would you just call and ask or would you go there?”
“Good point,” Jennifer said.
“Why did you say ten million when they wanted twenty million?” Kiku asked.
Replacement answered. “Lies work best in layers. Now he thinks they’re changing the time to cut him out and taking a smaller cut because it would take the Mancinis awhile to raise twenty million. It adds credibility, right?” She looked hopefully at Jack and beamed when he winked at her.
“That was a nice touch.” Kiku leaned forward and put her hand on his shoulder.
“Jack’s very good at lying.” Replacement looked at Kiku’s hand and shot Jack a dirty look. “Most of the time. Except when he’s caught with his pants—”
“Not the time, kid.”
“When would be the right—?” She looked down at the screen. “He’s moving.”
“That was fast.” Jack put the Impala in gear and pulled away from the curb.
“Can I ask why we’re trying to follow him in this big boat of a car that everyone knows?” Jennifer exhaled.
“I know my girl, and I’m not taking some unknown car on this.”
“Know your girl?” Jennifer’s eyebrow arched.
Replacement shook her head but kept her eyes on the laptop. “Don’t go there. Trust me. It’s a no-win. Left on to Wellington.”
“Took the bait. He’s heading out of town.” Jack grinned. “Strap your seat belts on, ladies.”
“He’s pulling away,” Replacement announced. “Jack, step on it.”
Jack punched the gas and settled back into the seat.
Prescott’s on the go. He’ll head straight there.
“This is the plan. We follow him to wherever they’re holding Marisa, and I call the cavalry.”
“I don’t think your ruse will fool them for long,” Kiku pointed out.
“It doesn’t have to. Once I confirm where Prescott’s going, fifty cops can be there in five minutes.”
“How?” Jennifer sat forward.
“They’re running an emergency drill at a school five minutes down the road from Big Blue.”
Jennifer flopped back in the seat, and her mouth fell open. She laughed. “How the hell did you pull that off?”
“That’s Jack.” Replacement gave him a quick, huge smile and then focused again on
the laptop.
They raced toward Big Blue, and the peak rose up in the distance. The winter had been unseasonably warm, so Jack didn’t know whether they had even opened the one ski slope that ran down the face. Prescott headed up the west side that was dotted with houses and cabins. Forest spread out on either side of them, and the sight distance dropped off as they wound their way up the curving road.
“You can ease back a little,” Replacement instructed.
The Impala swung up the heavily wooded road. The main road was paved, but the many side roads branching off were little better than wide bike paths. Jack approached another side road, and Replacement pointed to take the right. The side road was paved and continued to curve up.
Damn. We’re going farther than I thought. These roads are going to increase the response time, too.
“Slow down.” Replacement angled the screen. “He stopped.”
“I see him. Cabin.” Kiku leaned forward and pointed to the right.
Between the trees, Jack saw a small cabin and the brief glow of brake lights.
Jack stopped the car.
“Do you have a map of the area?” Jack asked.
Replacement pressed a few buttons and a map appeared.
He studied the road layout for a moment and scowled. “I’d rather come around from the back, but this road doesn’t loop around. I don’t want to stop here and have Prescott come right back into us either.”
“He’s going to know you set him up. He’ll figure it out soon.” Jennifer pulled out her pistol.
“Time for the cavalry.” Jack froze when he looked at his phone. “Damn. No signal.”
Kiku and Replacement reached for their phones and shook their heads.
Jack reached for the door handle and looked at Replacement. “Drive back until you get a signal and call Undersheriff Morrison.”
“I’m not leaving you.” Replacement shook her head.
Jack held up his hand and fiercely whispered, “I need someone to go.”
“I’ll go.” Jennifer climbed over the front seat. “With my ankle I’m not much good anyway. I need a phone.”
Jack handed it to her as he, Replacement, and Kiku jumped out.
“Morrison?” Jennifer asked as she put the Impala into reverse.
“Just hit redial. It’s the last call I made.”
Jack watched her back up on the road. He took a few steps toward the woods that separated them from the cabin.
“Prescott won’t trust them. He may move Marisa, and if he does, we can get him on the road.”
“This isn’t the best spot for an ambush, Officer. As you said, they have the firepower in their favor.” Kiku’s gun was in her hand.
“I’m going up,” Jack said.
“We’re going up.” Replacement started after him.
“No. You’re last line,” he snapped as he handed her the little five shot .380. “Pull the trigger. Five shots. That’s it.” He glared at Replacement. “They know how to shoot. Stay here. Seriously, kid. I’ll shoot you in the leg if you try to come.”
Replacement’s jaw clamped shut.
Jack hurried into the woods; Kiku followed him. They moved fast and low as they approached the cabin in the distance.
Prescott’s car was parked out front, and there was another sedan parked on the left. From the size of it and the window placements, Jack estimated the cabin had one large living room, maybe two side rooms on the right and a kitchen and bath either in the back or the left.
“How long will it take for your ruse to be discovered?” Kiku kept looking forward.
Jack made a fist and unclenched it. “I’m hoping it screws them up for at least fifteen minutes. They’ll argue. They’ll deny it, and then Prescott will figure it out. That’s when it gets interesting.”
“You think they’ll move her?”
Jack nodded. “He still won’t trust them. He’ll want—”
They both spun around at the sound of a breaking branch.
Jack’s throat tightened, and he slowly lowered his gun that was now pointed at Replacement’s head. She was crouched over, and her hands were up. Her eyes were wide as she gave a little wave.
“That’s amore,” Kiku whispered.
Love? I wonder how you say “I’m going to kill her” in Italian.
Replacement quietly crept up the last few feet. “Sorry,” she whispered.
“Jennifer shouldn’t have to drive too far to get a signal. Morrison should only be minutes away.”
A loud yell from the cabin drew their attention.
“Sounds like it’s getting interesting.” Kiku smirked.
Jack turned when he heard the Impala come back up the road. “Jennifer’s back.”
“That was fast.” Replacement smiled.
A few moments later, Jennifer hurried toward them, limping. Her eyes were wide and her face was ashen.
“They’re coming,” she panted. “But—” She gulped air.
“What?” Jack asked.
“He sent me a text message and it was strange. I think he’s losing it. I’ve known Walter for years and I’m worried he’s at the end of his rope. If his plan is falling apart, he may try to get revenge against Severino by killing her.”
Jack started to stand up, and Kiku and Replacement put a hand on each shoulder. “I have to do something.”
Jennifer shuffled forward. “Jack’s right. We need to go now. Surprise him. If he hears the police coming, she’s dead.”
Jack looked at the cabin and the layout for a second before he pointed to the right. “Kiku, go east. Jennifer, go west. I’m going through the front door.”
“We don’t need a dead hero, Jack.” Jennifer shook her head.
“I’m planning on drawing their fire. I’ll kick the door, and then get out of the way. That’s your signal. Once you open up, I’ll pop back out, and I’ll drop anyone left.”
They nodded, and Kiku sprinted wide to the right. She had the most ground to cover, and she disappeared quickly into the woods. Jennifer moved low and fast, and Jack turned to Replacement.
“Stay here. Wait for Morrison.”
She nodded.
She has no intention of doing what I say.
Jack moved to the edge of the forest.
Woodpile. Car. Cabin.
He quickly ascertained the best route to the house. Jack covered the short span to the woodpile and crouched low. He looked for Kiku but saw nothing. Jennifer had headed a bit wide, but she moved fast.
Maybe there’s a window on that side.
Jack dashed to the rear wheel of Prescott’s sedan and did his best to crouch down behind the tire. He leaned his shoulder against the cold metal of the car, looked back, and almost cursed aloud. Replacement’s head popped out from the edge of the woods.
Damn it. Damn it. I should have shot her in the leg.
He waved her back and made a cutting motion over his throat.
Move, Jack.
Jack covered the fifteen feet to the cabin in the blink of an eye, but it felt like forever. His muscles groaned in protest as he went from full speed to full stop and silently reached the side of the cabin.
Kiku was still nowhere to be seen, and Jennifer was out of sight now, too.
They should be in place in a minute.
Jack pressed his back against the wood next to the door and shut his eyes for one brief second.
Please, God.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Replacement had moved up to the woodpile and was about to sprint to the car, following his route.
Her small frame was an asset as she got low, and she was a blur as she covered the distance.
Jack held up his hand and she nodded.
He listened. Men were yelling inside, and their voices blended together.
Minimum: four. Max: six.
Jack knew he was supposed to bust the door open, take cover, and let Kiku and Jennifer open fire. That would give all of them the best survivability rate. Kiku was faster than Jennifer, so she
’d open up first. That meant she’d draw their fire. The chances of her surviving were slim.
No way. It’s not her day to die.
Jack knew what he’d do before he even started for the cabin. He had run most of the scenarios over in his head already. Every way he crunched the numbers, odds were he died.
Jack smirked.
But odds are they die, too.
He stepped back, and kicked the door.
“FREEZE.”
Everything slowed. He could see three men and Prescott in the living room. They all turned to look at him, and he saw the guns in their hands.
He also saw their hands start to rise.
Two rounds apiece.
Jack zippered Prescott first. One in the gut and one center mass.
The spiky-haired Asian was the one with the submachine gun. Jack put one in his chest and one in his head. Kiku’s pistol grip was small for his hand, but it shot straight.
The third guy got a shot off that hit the doorframe next to Jack’s head before Kiku opened up.
She fired three-round bursts, and all looked to hit their mark. Prescott took three in the back.
The fourth guy could have killed Jack if he’d followed through with his choice of aiming at Jack, but he started to turn toward Kiku, and bullets from three sides cut him down.
Prescott fell to his knees and looked at Jack with a mixture of hate and pleading Jack had seen too many times.
He knows he’s dead. He hates my guts, but he’s still thinking he may have a chance to live. Now he’s begging.
Another body from Jennifer’s side fell into view.
Four guys and Prescott.
Prescott looked left. His eyes went wide, and his mouth opened before three other bullets tore into his chest and blew him backward.
The front door swung wider, and Replacement stepped in behind him with the little .380 held at arm’s length. She nervously looked at Jack and nodded.
Kid’s scared out of her mind but had my back.
Jack swept into the cabin. Kiku effortlessly climbed in through the window. She stood up and hugged the wall as she moved into the room. He looked at Jennifer, but she leaned against the doorframe and stared at the floor.
“Are you hit?” he fiercely whispered.
She kept looking down and shook her head. He heard her gag.
There was only one room on the right, and the door was closed. Jack held up his hand and hurried over to it. Instinctively, he scanned the frame for booby traps, but quickly dismissed the thought.
JACKS ARE WILD Page 26
