aHunter4Life (aHunter4Hire)

by Cynthia Clement

  Catal lost sight of the fountain.

  “I am moving in.” Partlan’s voice was loud in his head. “They have surrounded the entire fountain and I cannot see the briefcase.”

  An FBI agent ran up the stairs from the parking area with a bullhorn. He raised it and bellowed. “If you don’t disperse you will all be under arrest.”

  At that moment the crowd turned to him. They plunged back along the lawn in his direction, surrounding and taking him along with them. Cameras were raised in all directions. The only sound that could be heard above the raised voices was the endless clicking of camera shutters. Catal ducked back around the terrace wall. The last thing he wanted was to be captured in a picture.

  “The briefcase is gone.” Partlan’s voice was clipped. “Malac keep an eye on the people leaving the parking area. Firbin and Breanon make certain no one gets by you.”

  “We have this whole area covered from the ground and up in the air. Ranon has the video feed going to the surveillance van. Everything is being taped.” Malac’s tone was harsh. “If they are on the grounds, then we have them.”

  “There are too many FBI agents in the parking area to get through there.” Catal could see the mob that still surrounded Agent Kelly.

  “We will search the rest of the estate by foot.” Partlan’s voice was determined.

  That meant the paths that led through the cypress trees and to the mansion needed to be combed. Catal eased around the brick wall hiding him. He glanced at Partlan who nodded back at him. He stepped away from his cover and hurried to the opposite side of the garden. He met up with Partlan and they raced down the stairs and pathway that led away from the formal garden to the mansion.

  Speed was of essence.

  Visitors blocked their way. They pushed past them until they came to the front of the mansion. No one was carrying a briefcase. They stopped at the terrace that looked out over the front entranceway and drive to the mansion. It was empty.

  No quarry could have gotten away so fast.

  “Where did they go?” Catal’s voice was low as he looked at Partlan.

  “It had to be one of the paparazzi.”

  “Did anyone come your way, Firbin?” Partlan’s voice was clipped.

  “No.”

  “Breanon?”

  “A couple holding hands, but no briefcases.” Breanon’s voice was dry.

  “Then we need to take a second look at the photographer’s residences.”

  “I agree.” Catal turned back toward the mansion and came face to face with Agent Bakker.

  “Agent Kelly wants to talk to you.” Bakker moved his suit coat aside to show his gun. “Now.”

  Partlan shrugged. “We have done nothing wrong.”

  “She’ll be the judge of that.”

  Bakker pushed Partlan down the stone path. Catal followed. The FBI might think that they were in control, but it was obvious that they’d been outsmarted. Catal pressed back his own frustration at the debacle that the ransom drop had become. He’d made a promise to Selena and the last thing he wanted was to return to her without her son.

  When they reached the parking lot, Agent Kelly stepped out of a large black cube truck. Her mouth was rigid and she was clenching her hands.

  “I told you to stay away.”

  “It is a free country.” Partlan tilted his head. “At least that was what I was told.”

  “We did nothing wrong.” Catal didn’t bother keeping the exasperation out of his voice. “You’re the ones that botched the operation.”

  “We did no such thing.” Agent Kelly grabbed Partlan’s arm and turned him to face the van. She frisked him for weapons, taking away a pistol and knife. “You and your men spooked the kidnappers.”

  “Is that why the ransom money is gone?”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I am not blind.” Partlan leaned close to the woman. “You put the briefcase behind the fountain and then you were stampeded by the paparazzi. By the time I reached the area, the case was gone.”

  Agent Kelly bit her lip. “How much time before they took the case.”

  Partlan leaned back and crossed his arms. “Are you asking for our help?”

  “I’m interrogating a possible suspect.” Kelly’s eyes narrowed. “I can do it here, or at headquarters under lock and key.”

  Partlan nodded. “You do want our help.”

  “Just answer the question.”

  “They had to have taken the case when the paparazzi rushed the fountain area.” Partlan’s voice was serious. “That meant less than a minute.”

  “How do you know they didn’t take it earlier?”

  “Your men would have told you if they had.” Partlan’s eyes never left her face. “I saw no one approach the drop until it was swarmed and then it was too congested to get a clear view.”

  Agent Kelly’s hands clenched at her side. “Did someone run past either of you?”

  Catal shook his head. “I was guarding the stairs to the change rooms and pool. No one came that way.”

  “We checked out the other pathways to the mansion, but there were no suspicious people carrying a briefcase.” Partlan frowned. “They might have ditched the case, but no one was leaving the mansion from the front entrance when we reached it.”

  “That leaves the parking lot and we had that covered.” Agent Kelly sighed. “I want you two back at the Walter’s residence for a debriefing. Where are your other men?”

  “They’re on another assignment.” Partlan kept his voice neutral.

  “Then you two can come with us.”

  Agent Kelly didn’t give them an option. Catal was frisked by one of the other agents. He was relieved of his two guns. They didn’t find the small knife he had belted to the inside of a hidden compartment in his boot. Then they were pushed into the van.

  They were shoved onto a bench seat just as the vehicle start to move. Catal crossed his arms and leaned back against the metal side. He closed his eyes and listened to the orders that Partlan was relaying to the rest of the unit through mind connection. It was standard operation strategy. Malac and Firbin would review the tapes with Ranon in their surveillance van. Breanon was to follow them back to the Walter’s estate and be ready if they needed help escaping custody. Once they’d determined who had taken the money they would leave the estate with or without the approval of the FBI.

  Catal concentrated on remembering every detail of the ransom drop, including the people that had walked past him. No one was carrying a briefcase, or a backpack large enough to hold the ransom money. The only answer was that the kidnapper was either one of the paparazzi or had hired one of them to pick up the briefcase when they mobbed the fountain area.

  They reached the house in a few minutes. When they entered, Nikki, Steve and Selena were all waiting at the door. Catal’s chest tightened at the look of hope on Selena’s face. She glanced behind him, searching for her son, then looked up at him. He shook his head.

  Her pain was a physical stab to his gut. He almost doubled over at the intense agony that ripped through his body. He forced back his nausea and pulled Selena into his arms. He held her tight.

  “We’ll find him.” His whispered assurance only made her shiver more violently. “I promise, I will do everything in my power to bring him back to you.”

  Selena let him hold her for a few seconds before her back stiffened and she pushed away. “What happened?”

  “The area was swarmed with photographers.” Agent Kelly’s voice was businesslike. “Someone must have tipped off the paparazzi that there was going to be a ransom drop-off. Did any of you speak to the press?”

  “Are you nuts?” Steve’s voice was scornful. “They’re the last people we’d talk to.”

  Agent Kelly nodded. “Alright. Who else did you tell about the drop? Nothing is ever a secret for long in this town.”

  “No one.” Nikki’s voice was choked with tears. “This is our son’s life we’re talking about. Do you honestly think we would jeopar
dize it?”

  Agent Kelly shrugged. “I don’t know at this point. We have to reassess our options and move forward from here. The kidnappers have their money. They should be in contact with us about an exchange for the children.”

  “Do you think that’s possible?” Nikki’s voice held a note of hope.

  “It’s what we agreed to.” Agent Kelly pushed Partlan ahead of her into the room where the FBI had set up their surveillance. “Meanwhile, these gentlemen need to answer some questions.”

  Catal was grabbed by one of the other agents. He released Selena. She watched him move away with eyes that begged for answers. He sent her a wave of love. It was the only answer he had at this moment. Once the FBI were finished with their questions, hopefully the other Hunters would have narrowed down the search of the photographers who had shown up at the Greystone.

  Catal was pushed into a chair.

  Partlan sat beside him.

  “How the hell did you get there before us?”

  “We told you our men were already in place.” Catal crossed his arms. “We’re not the kidnappers. We’re trying to help.”

  “You’ve been obstructing justice” Agent Kelly paced in front of them. “I want to know where your other men are.”

  “They have their orders.”

  “I want them here.” Kelly leaned close to Partlan. “If they don’t show up willingly, I will issue a warrant for their arrest.”

  “You have already threatened us with that.” Partlan’s jaw tightened. “Why not ask us your questions. You are wasting valuable time. Time that the boys have very little of.”

  Partlan’s words seemed to force Agent Kelly back to the present. “Alright. When did you start your surveillance of the area?”

  “We went there as soon as the drop was arranged.”

  “There’s no way you could have gotten there before us.” Kelly crossed her arms. “Enough lies. I want the truth.”

  Partlan sat up in his chair. “We were there early enough to see your surveillance van arrive this morning.”

  Agent Kelly stepped back. “Alright, so you made us.”

  “So did the kidnappers.” Catal’s voice was harsh. “There was no chance they were going to let themselves be caught at the drop area. You should be focusing your attention on the paparazzi that circled you.”

  “We’ve already looked at that angle.” The agent stood back with arms crossed. “Did you notify them of the drop so that we wouldn’t be able to follow what was happening?”

  “No.” Partlan’s voice was curt.

  “How did they find out?”

  “I imagine the kidnappers told them.” Catal bit back his anger. Answering these questions was wasting time. An idiot could have figured out how the press had found out and the FBI were not idiots.

  “Perhaps,” Agent Kelly agreed. “I still think that you and your men are holding something back.”

  Partlan stood. “We have told you all we know. Now we need to get to work to find those boys.”

  “You two aren’t going anywhere.”

  At that moment, the telephone rang.

  Everyone froze.

  The sound reverberated through the still room. It rang a second time before Agent Kelly motioned for one of the agents to pick up. He grabbed the phone and listened for several seconds before motioning for a pen. He wrote with furious strokes and then hung the phone up.

  “That was the kidnappers.” The agent swallowed. “They were unhappy about us being at the drop site, but said that they would still honor the bargain. They want to arrange for the exchange of the boys.”

  The room went quiet.

  Catal exhaled a short breath, forcing his heart rate to slow.

  Agent Kelly turned to him and Partlan. “Do you know anything about this?”

  “I have already told you that we do not have the boys.” Partlan’s eyes narrowed. “You do not seem to hear.”

  Agent Kelly glared at Partlan for a second and then turned to Catal. “What about you?”

  “I am here to help my mate.” Catal’s voice was low. “She needs my support.”

  “Mate? What are you, a Neanderthal?” Agent Kelly snorted. “So Selena is your girlfriend. That means you’re probably part of this plot.”

  “Selena is my mate.” Catal straightened his shoulders. “Her son Tarrin is missing and she asked for help. I have told you this before. You refuse to listen.”

  Agent Kelly shook her head and turned back to Agent Bakker. “Arrange the exchange. These two are to stay here. The last thing I need is for another leak.”

  Partlan looked at Catal. “I have warned the others,” he said through mind connect. “You should go to your mate. She will need you.”

  Catal’s jaw clenched. “You don’t think the boys are alive.”

  Chapter 8

  Selena glanced up at the clock.

  Thirty seconds had passed since the last time she checked.

  She bit her lip and clenched her hands tighter. She was in the front room with Nikki and Steve who refused to look at her. There was a ringing in her ears and it hurt every time she took a breath. It seemed as if hours had passed since the FBI had told them to stay put. The kidnappers had their money. Now they needed the boys back. She unclenched her hands and looked up at the clock.

  Ten more seconds had passed.

  She glanced away and straightened her back in the chair. Nikki and Steve had already found her guilty of taking the boys, and nothing she said could convince them otherwise. The silence in the room was deafening. To them, she was the enemy. She choked back a sob and turned away. This wasn’t the time for tears.

  She had to focus on Tarrin.

  She loved him above all else.

  As much as Nikki and Steve blamed her, they were the reason for Tarrin’s abduction. She was certain of it. Her son was in danger now because she had taken a job with the Walters. They were high profile celebrities. The danger of someone stalking them, or invading their privacy was always present. She had just never considered that it might endanger her son’s life. Only a maniac would hurt a child.

  A door slammed shut.

  Selena moved forward in her seat.

  The sound of footsteps approached outside the door. She turned in time to see Agent Kelly enter the room. Agents Bakker and Smythe were pushing Catal in front of them. Her heart raced at the sight of him. She blocked the sensation. Every cell in her body longed to have him hold her close. She needed his touch now, but she had to guard her heart. Once Tarrin was found, Catal would be gone from her life again.

  Agent Kelly went to the center of the room.

  Catal walked over to Selena and stood beside her. She glanced at the other agents. There was no expression on their faces. Selena’s stomach dropped as she prepared for the worse. She reached up and gripped Catal’s hand. Strength flowed into her. She straightened her shoulders and faced Agent Kelly.

  “I won’t waste your time.” The FBI agent’s voice was strident. “We’ve heard from the kidnappers. They’ve arranged for us to exchange the boys.”

  A gasp of shock ripped through Selena’s lungs. There was hope. She looked up at Catal and smiled, but he was expressionless. She frowned. The boys would be home safe soon. Surely this was good news?

  “What?” Her voice was a raw whisper.

  “The kidnappers said nothing about the boys being alive.”

  “Why else would they arrange for us to pick them up?” Selena’s voice faded as she realized what Catal was concerned about. She shook her head. “He’s alive. I know it. I sense him still.”

  Catal frowned. “How do you sense him?”

  “Even before he was born, I had a connection with Tarrin.” Selena’s hand shook as she pulled away from Catal. “He’s my son. I know he’s alive.”

  “Then we will continue our search.” Catal crossed his arms. “Partlan and the others will find the boys. My assignment is to stay with you.”

  Agent Kelly pointed at Selena. “You are not t
o leave. Once we have the boys, we will contact you. Nikki and Steve can come with us in the police van.”

  “No.” Catal’s voice was firm. “She has as much right as they do. We will accompany you.”

  The agent glared at Catal for several seconds before looking away. “You will be in a separate van and under constant surveillance.”

  Selena stood. “My son has been taken also.”

  “As you so conveniently keep reminding us.” Agent Kelly turned back to Steve and Nikki. “Do you wish to come with us?”

  Nikki looked at Steve and then back to Agent Kelly. “I will come. Steve will stay here and try and distract the paparazzi so they don’t follow us.”

  “Good plan.” Agent Kelly nodded. “We don’t need a repeat of this afternoon.”

  It took several minutes to arrange the vehicles that would transport them. Selena’s stomach was in a knot and her knees weak. Catal kept close to her, his presence gave her the power to continue. Soon she would have Tarrin in her arms. Once again she would see his beloved dark eyes and grave smile, and know that everything was alright.

  She refused to consider any other possibility.

  Her son was alive.

  They climbed into a black van along with Agent Bakker. There was another agent who drove, while Bakker stayed in the rear with Catal and Selena. Nikki went in a separate van with Agent Kelly and Smythe. No matter what the outcome of the exchange, Agent Kelly had made it quite clear that she didn’t trust Selena. Selena would worry about the FBI’s allegations later. Right now, she only cared about getting her son back alive.

  Catal sat beside her, his back straight and unmoving. She reached out and clasped his hand. He looked down at her, a muscle in his jaw tightened, but his eyes softened. A longing to share the connection she had once had with him rushed through her. She wanted to turn back the clock and be the young girl who had believed in love everlasting. With a sigh, she released his hand and looked out the window.