33
Until he could see Sadie, hold her, and know she was safe, Bowen would have to trust Smitty. He glanced at his phone when it buzzed in the dashboard holder.
Smitty sent another text.
Bowen squinted at the words.
Returning to L.A. Call me.
Bowen eased over and took the first exit. A quick turn, and he parked in an empty lot where he punched in Smitty’s speed-dial number. He answered right away.
“We’ll be there in less than an hour.”
“What happened? Do you have Hannah?”
Smitty gave him the scant details of Hannah’s abduction, outlined their confrontation with Evelyn, and Sadie’s conversation with Lonnie.
“Lonnie has the child. How—?”
“We don’t know how he found Hannah. Kyle’s the one who took her.”
Rage blackened Bowen’s vision.
“Boudine. You still there?”
“Yeah. What exactly did Lonnie say?”
“Not much, but I assume he’ll trade Hannah for Sadie. He gave her a phone number and wants her to call at nine, tonight.”
“That’ll give us time to make plans. How is she? Can I talk to her?”
Muted voices traveled through the airwaves.
“Hi, Bowen.” A hitch in her voice ripped a chasm in his chest.
“Sadie, how are you holding up?” He wanted to comfort her.
“I’m numb, but I know you guys will help me survive this.”
“We will. Let me talk to Smitty again. And Sadie, I…I prayed that God will keep Hannah safe.”
Smitty returned to the line, and the job took precedence. “We need to muster the troops.”
“I’ve already alerted the boss.”
Bowen drove to the safe house and called Ginger.
“Erik and Lela are on their way, with operatives on standby.” A crisp, take-charge tone infused Ginger’s voice.
“This could get ugly. Is Lela bringing the gear?”
“Yes, she is. Vests, night vision scopes, listening devices. Everything you’ll need. I’ll take over Erik’s case for now, so use him as much as necessary.”
“Thanks.”
Smitty’s vehicle roared into the driveway.
Bowen bolted to the car and helped Sadie out.
Her wan complexion matched the color of her wig. She managed a ghost of a smile and held onto his arm as they entered the house.
Bowen had not expected his heart to somersault at the sight of her. He led her to the sofa.
“Boudine, when will Erik and Lela arrive?” Smitty asked.
“Smitty and I need to talk.” Bowen touched Sadie’s arm. He signaled Smitty to follow as he marched down the hall. “They’re on the way. You relayed everything that happened in Santa Clarita?”
“Seems there’s a problem at WITSEC. The guy Sadie spoke to knew she was in Santa Clarita.”
“So my decision not to contact them right away was sound.”
“One more thing. It looked like Evelyn planned to run. I notified the local cops—”
“You did what?”
“Don’t worry. I kept Sadie’s name out of it. Evelyn was in no hurry to talk so that should buy us some time before she implicates us.”
“Go on.”
“I asked how Kyle found her. She said the day after she vacated her house, she returned to pick up a few items. Before she left she checked her e-mail. There was a message from a high school acquaintance asking for her address and phone number. Evelyn remembered the person and sent the information. She has since discovered that the woman she knew passed away last year. She figures whoever sent the message used the information to locate her.”
“Sounds logical.” Bowen peeked through the blinds. “Someone’s here. Probably Erik, by the sound of the vehicle.”
They returned to the living room where Bowen sat next to Sadie. “Erik’s arrived. When the other operatives get here we’ll strategize.” He glanced at his watch. “We still have thirty minutes before you need to call Lonnie. Can I get you anything?”
“Please. Hot tea.”
“Coming right up.” Bowen entered the kitchen as Erik opened the back door. They shook hands. “Good to have you here.”
“You couldn’t keep me away.” Erik gave Smitty a slap on the back and then shrugged out of his jacket. Entering the living room, he spread his arms wide. “Sadie, girl. I’ve come to save the day.”
The sweet sound of Sadie’s chuckle sent a wave of warmth over Bowen as he set a cup of water in the microwave and selected a tea bag.
Erik and Sadie chatted on the sofa. If Erik’s daughter had lived, she would be close to Sadie’s age. No wonder they got along so well.
The microwave dinged, interrupting Bowen’s thoughts. He dunked the tea bag and carried the cup to Sadie. “Madam, your tea is served.”
“Thank you, kind sir.”
Smitty peered through the drapes. “Lela’s here. I’ll help her with the equipment.” He slipped outside.
Bowen wiped off the table. “We need another chair.”
“There’s one by my dresser,” Sadie said.
“I’ll get it.” Erik had already started down the hall.
With Sadie’s chair in one hand, Erik returned to the living room. “Pretty flowers, Sadie.”
Although Bowen watched for Sadie’s reaction, she seemed to ignore Erik’s comment. Lela and Smitty entered the house and dumped duffle bags by the door.
Bowen introduced Lela to Sadie, and then the five of them settled at the table. “OK, guys. We assume Lonnie is going to ask Sadie to meet him.” He glanced at her. “You tell him you’ll meet on one condition—if you designate the time and place. Understand?”
She nodded, cheeks hollow and lips tight.
“Get the L.A. map, Lela. Let’s check out possible venues.” He rubbed his chin, his fingers shaking. What was wrong with him?
“Boudine, we need your laptop. I didn’t bring mine.”
“Sure.” He hurried to his bedroom to get it. Erik followed.
“Listen, friend. I don’t think you should lead this operation.”
Bowen unzipped his computer case. “Why not?”
“You’re too close to her. She’s way more than a job to you and has been for a long time.” Erik placed his giant paw on Bowen’s shoulder. “Sadie is not like Patricia. She’ll follow orders. Let me handle this.”
“Fine.”
They returned to the table, and Bowen opened the laptop. “Erik’s going to be alpha on this one. Give him your best, guys.”
Once seated, Erik pointed to the map. “Lonnie’s office is in Santa Monica, and he lives in Bel Air, so let’s choose a venue far from either place.”
“How about Griffith Park?” Smitty suggested.
“Pretty far for us and the size of the park could present a major problem.” Bowen turned the map and stabbed a finger at a small green section. “How about Lynwood City Park? Close to us, smaller, easier to monitor comings and goings. Plenty of lights in the park.”
“I like that idea. A good meeting spot would be near the tennis courts. Easy access from Spruce Street.” Erik ran a hand over his bald pate. “We select the site now. Send our backup guys to scout the area so by the time Lonnie hears about it, we’re already in place. All in agreement?”
The three operatives nodded. Sadie focused at the map.
“I’ll do an Internet search on the area.” Bowen tapped keys, all the while struggling to keep from panicking. How could they so cavalierly send Sadie out knowing a killer waited for her?
“Here it is. The aerial map gives a good perspective.” Bowen turned the computer so the others could see the screen.
“Has any one else been there?” Erik scanned the group.
Lela, who hadn’t said a word yet, held up her index finger. “I grew up in the neighborhood. Practically lived at the park.”
“Good. You’ll head the advance group. Smitty, take a good look at the aerial shot.” Using the same forthright
tone, Erik addressed Sadie. “Here’s what will happen, Sadie. Lonnie will probably want you to come alone, but you won’t. We’ll surround you. You’ll wear a vest—”
“Huh?” she asked.
“A bulletproof vest. We’ll have you in our sights at all times and you will wear a wire and an ear bud.”
“So we can communicate with you and hear what’s going on around you,” Smitty said.
Sadie’s dark, cavernous gaze met Bowen’s.
Everyone else receded into the background as he rested his hand on her vibrating leg. She closed her hands over his. Erik might be alpha, but Sadie wasn’t looking at Erik. In that moment, Bowen sensed her soul reach out to him. He would not fail her.
Under the table, Erik nudged Bowen’s foot. Jerked back to reality, Bowen folded the map so the Lynwood section showed in the center. He wrote on the corner of the map. “Here’s the address if Lonnie doesn’t know the location.”
“I think that’s it for now. Lela and Smitty, you know what to do. Need anything before you take off?” Erik crossed his arms
They both shook their heads.
Lela stretched out of the chair like a panther on the hunt. “We’ll set up and wait for your call. Come, Preston. We’ll take my truck. I don’t like your driving.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t like my driving. But you do like my—”
“Kids! Enough.” Erik softened his reprimand with a smile. “Be careful out there.”
Lela and Smitty executed sharp salutes and left the house.
Bowen slid his arm along the back of Sadie’s chair. “I know this is terrifying for you, but you must study these pictures. See, here.” He tapped the screen. “This is where you’ll enter the park. One of these structures will provide a good shield. We’ll be set up here, here, and here. Erik will give you instructions through your ear bud. It’s a good plan. I’ve got your back, Sadie. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“You guys will have everything ready at the park, but what if Lonnie won’t meet me there?”
“Believe me. He will. He wants you. If you asked him to meet next door to the FBI building, he’d agree.”
“But what about Hannah?”
“Let’s sit on the sofa. Want more tea?”
“No, thanks.” She pushed back from the table. “I want this to be over.” Sadie curled into a ball with one elbow on the sofa armrest.
Bowen ignored her body language and sat close, taking her hand. “One more thing. When you talk to Lonnie, ask for proof of life.”
Her fingers tightened. “What?”
“We must know that Hannah is still alive.”
This time her squeeze cut off circulation to his fingers. He could barely hear her whispered words.
“What if she’s not?”
The anguish in her voice shoveled salt into the wound already gaping in his chest. What could he say to calm her? What if she was right? His voice conveyed confidence he didn’t feel. “As I said before, Lonnie wants you, and he can’t risk hurting Hannah because then he’d have no leverage.” He had to believe that. “Hannah is alive, sweetheart. She is.”
Sadie slid sideways and rested on his shoulder. Although the circumstances were dire, Bowen relished her closeness.
“It’s almost nine,” Erik interrupted. “Sadie, use your phone. Our device will block any trace he tries to use.”
“Whatever you say.” She went to her room and returned with the phone and the slip of paper. Her hands shook. “I need to sit.” She dropped onto the sofa, her face paler than it had been all evening.
Squatted in front of her, Erik held a legal pad and pen. “Use the speaker, but don’t acknowledge us. We’re assuming Lonnie doesn’t know who’s helping you. If you have questions look at us, and we’ll tell you what to say, or we’ll write it out for you to read.”
“Are you ready?” Bowen quirked an eyebrow. He had the map with the address in his lap.
She consulted the piece of paper, punched numbers on the slim phone, and then held it close to her face. Her eyes were wide, her lips quivered. “Lonnie? Where’s Hannah?”
His nasal tone punctuated each word. “Patience, woman, patience. I sense you are not in the mood for small talk. Meet me at—”
Bowen stabbed a finger at the map.
“No. No, Lonnie. You want to meet me. It will be where I say, when I say.” Her voice strengthened. “Do you hear me? I will name the place and time.”
“Whoa. Calm down. Fine, I’ll grant you the place, but I call the time.”
A quick look at Bowen and Erik. They both nodded, but Erik wrote on the pad.
She read the words. “I accept that, but you name the time first.”
Lonnie took a few moments to reply. “Um, let’s say midnight.”
The men nodded.
“Midnight is good.” Sadie took the map from Bowen. “We’ll meet at Lynwood City Park. Near the tennis courts off Spruce Street. Do you know where that is?”
“Say the name of the street again.”
Sadie repeated it as Bowen grabbed the pad and scribbled.
“One last thing, Lonnie.” She read. “I want to talk to Hannah. I won’t come if you don’t let me talk to her.”
Bowen mouthed, “Good job.”
Her fingers cold and stiff, Sadie slid her hand into his. This was the moment he’d dreaded. What if Lonnie refused?
Garbled words came through the line and then a small voice said, “Mama, this carpet is scratchy. I’m scared. Please come get me.”
The call ended with a loud click.
Sadie’s phone slithered to the floor, and she slumped on Bowen’s shoulder.
34
Bowen cradled Sadie’s upper body. “It’s gonna be OK, Sadie.”
She straightened and rubbed her eyes. “I’m not dreaming, am I?” Her face was as white as an over-bleached sheet.
“No. Hannah talked to you.” Bowen reluctantly moved his arms. How he wished he could take her place so she didn’t have to venture out tonight.
Erik searched one of the duffel bags and yanked out a vest and night vision goggles. “I’ll join the others at the park. Boudine, you get Sadie prepared. Everything you need is here.” He pointed to the bags. “Head to the rendezvous point at eleven thirty.”
“Roger that. See you then.” Bowen accompanied Erik to the door.
Sadie’s steps echoed down the hall. He followed, but she entered her bedroom and closed the door.
Bowen understood her need to be alone. He searched the refrigerator and produced the makings for an omelet. He whisked the eggs, chopped tomatoes and green pepper, and heated the pan. Sadie’s wan face, never far from his mind, clouded his vision. His stomach responded to the smell of onions sautéing. Maybe Sadie hadn’t eaten recently. No matter her state of mind, her body needed nourishment, especially to face the dangers ahead. He whisked more eggs and made an oversized omelet. Even if she ate a few bites—
“That smells great. Is there enough for two?”
Bowen’s spirits lifted at the sound of her voice. “Sure.” He turned off the burner and divided the omelet onto two plates. Bowen joined her at the table and took in her appearance.
She had dampened her hair, the curls tamed and soft, and she’d applied makeup. Her eyes, still hauntingly dark, held a quality he couldn’t name.
Placing her hand over his, she said, “Before we eat, I want to do something I’ve neglected for far too long.”
“What’s that?”
“We used to pray before eating. Do you mind if I do that now?”
The idea jolted a memory. As a kid he’d done his share of listening to his dad say a blessing. “Go ahead.”
She bowed her head, but he couldn’t bring himself to close his eyes. Instead, he focused on her profile as she spoke.
“Father God, thank You for this food and the many other gifts that surround us. Keep us in the palm of Your hand tonight and for the rest of our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.”
The wo
rds came from her heart and conveyed more meaning than any grace he’d ever heard before.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You surprise me, that’s all.” Was he ready to open his soul to her? No. Stick with the obvious. “When you left the living room I thought you were going to sleep or—”
“I figured I wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything tonight if I keeled over. To boost my spirits I did my makeup, readjusted my attitude by praying for strength, and now I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to meet Lonnie.”
They small-talked while they ate, with Bowen’s apprehension diminishing as he absorbed her calmness and confidence. He also figured out what he’d seen in her eyes—the mother-daughter connection. She’d find Hannah tonight, one way or another.
Bowen washed the dishes with Sadie drying and putting them away. For a brief few minutes, he fantasized about a life where he and Sadie shared household chores, planned for the future, loved.
With an hour before time to leave, Bowen invited Sadie to join him in the living room. He fitted her with the wire and gave instructions on the operation of the ear bud. Next, he found the smallest vest and helped her strap it on. When he’d secured his vest and communication device, he sent her to the bedroom and they practiced listening and talking to each other.
Now they were ready. They sat on the sofa. Sadie scooted close, which thrilled Bowen despite the circumstances. Whatever Sadie had done to prepare for the night, it showed on her face and in her body language. No one watching would ever conclude she was about to face her daughter’s kidnapper or that she’d finally reconnect with her long lost child.
He took her hand and rubbed his thumb in circles on her soft skin. “Do you have any questions?”
She moved a little closer. “Yes. One. But first let me say, whatever happens tonight, I want you to know how grateful I am for all your help. So before we leave, please tell me about IRO. What exactly do you guys do, besides make people wear wigs?”
He grinned at her jab. How did she know the name of his organization? Too late to worry about that. “International Retrieval Organization. That’s who we are. A worldwide company and as the name suggests, we help extricate people from difficult situations. Then we keep them safe until their problems are resolved.”
Weep In The Night Page 20
