by Diana Palmer
He would start looking for a new place to house his team today.
And if Kyle utilized the skills he’d taught him, he would find a way to come back to them again.
If not, he’d make sure he didn’t talk.
Not ever again.
CHAPTER NINE
Brody’s stomach knotted as Julie read the doctors evaluation. “The psychiatrist said Kyle—Will—was uncommunicative, that he refused to talk about where he lived, about any abductions or the other boys, or anything that had happened to him. He exhibited signs of physical and mental abuse, and signs of sensory deprivation, as well, and seemed especially sensitive to darkness and oddly, also to bright lights. She also observed that he assumed a military stance when she entered the room and when the guard appeared to take him from his cell.”
“So the unsub may have had military training,” Agent Cord said. “That could help.”
Julie nodded, then licked her lips, her expression odd. Brody’s chest was beating so hard he could barely breathe.
“The doctor confirms that there has been long-term physical abuse,” Julie said. “There are signs of bruises, repeated beatings, and broken bones but there was no sign of sexual abuse or molestation.”
A mixture of anguish, anger and relief filled Brody. The thought of physical abuse sickened him, but at least Will hadn’t been molested. Still he’d suffered…how had his little brother survived?
“If the unsub doesn’t sexually abuse them, then what is his deal?” Agent Hurt asked. “Why is he fixated on kidnapping young boys?”
Brody scrubbed a hand over his face. The only one who could answer that was his brother. And Will wasn’t talking.
“Good question,” Julie said. She turned to the time line again. “The first kidnapping was probably personal. Perhaps the unsub had a child and lost it to death or his wife ran off with the child and left. He wanted a replacement.”
“But what about the military angle?” Agent Cord asked.
Julie chewed her bottom lip in thought. “We can theorize all day and not get it right. But think about it. What if he lost the child while he was in the service? Maybe his wife left him while he was deployed?”
“You could look at it another way,” Brody said. “If he was in combat, maybe he saw some fellow young men die.”
“Or he was responsible for a child’s death,” Miles interjected.
“He could be suffering from PTSD,” Chief Hurt pointed out.
“Or it’s a combination,” Julie said. “He was deployed and his child either died or his wife ran off with the child while he was overseas. He comes home expecting to have his family waiting. He’s suffered, maybe injured, has PTSD and his family is suddenly gone. He looks for them but can’t find them and has to replace his son.” She paused. “So he takes victim number one, Jeremy Unger.”
A quiet descended through the room, the tension palpable. Then Julie snapped her fingers. “Since we think that the first abduction was personal, and we know that he gives the boys new names when he captures them, let’s look closer at Jeremy.
“He was seven when he was abducted, which tells us that the unsub’s son, or the child that was lost, was around that age. Let’s investigate that theory.” She turned to Agent Cord. “Why don’t you run a check on any children between six and eight who died around that time? Go back six months, a year.”
“Since this was the first victim, the unsub probably lived near the site where the kidnapping took place,” Chief Hurt suggested.
“That was twenty years ago,” Agent Cord cut in. “The police probably already questioned everyone who lived near there.”
“But they were looking for witnesses,” Julie said. “Review the old case file. The technical analyst can help us search medical records for children who died within that time frame. Also, have her look at divorce records, specifically ones where a child was involved. You might even have her search the name Jeremy, or at least have her run his photo against photos of any children who died or were separated from their father.”
Agent Cord reached for his iPad. “I’m on it. And I’ll also ask the analyst to cross-reference with men who were released from military service around that time period.”
Julie nodded. “Good thinking.”
“I’ll keep looking at the workers who might have held jobs in the areas near the attacks,” Chief Hurt said.
Julie nodded. “And I’ll work with Brody to see if we can get through to Will.”
Brody gritted his teeth. Hopefully the agents knew what they were doing.
He only wished he did, that he knew how to reach his brother.
Julie checked her watch. “Come on, Brody, it’s time to meet with the judge.”
His chest clenched again. What if the judge refused to release Will and made him go to prison until his trial? Judging from what he’d been through, locking him up would only force him deeper into that silent shell. That was the only way he had coped, Brody realized with a pang to his chest.
So setting Will free was the only way he’d ever get close enough to him to convince him to talk.
The lawyer he’d hired to defend Will met him at the courthouse, and Brody pulled him aside and explained the doctors reports.
Ethan glanced at Julie. “What are you planning to do?”
Julie offered a tentative smile. “Request that he be released into my custody. We need his help, and he doesn’t deserve to be locked up right now.”
“I have bail money ready to go,” Brody said.
Satisfied with their strategy, they filed into the courtroom for the arraignment and took their seats. Brody’s heart stuttered as the guard opened the door and another guard escorted his brother inside the courtroom, handcuffed and shackled.
Brody searched Will’s face, a bone-deep ache consuming him at how rigidly he walked, at the tough bravado on his face.
And the bruises on his body.
Will sank into the chair on the other side of Julie, a dead look in his eyes.
Brody scrubbed a hand across his face. If he found out who had put those bruises on his brother, he wouldn’t ask questions.
He’d make the bastard feel the same kind of pain he’d inflicted on Will.
* * *
JULIE SPOTTED District Attorney Byron Stewart and inwardly winced. He was a thirty-five-year-old edgy man with a harsh attitude and an unforgiving spirit. She’d rarely seen him show pity on anyone.
It didn’t bode well for Will today.
“We’re going to try to convince the judge to release you into my custody,” she said quietly to Will.
He didn’t respond, simply sat stiffly as if expecting to be punished.
Her heart bled as she imagined all he’d endured. He’d probably been taught that fighting back only made the punishment worse.
Ten minutes later, she feared they were in real trouble.
D.A. Stewart presented photo after photo of Will and Tray Goodner robbing three different convenience stores.
“Your Honor, this young man is dangerous. He held a young woman hostage and, judging from this behavior, would have killed her if police hadn’t intervened.”
“Objection, conjecture,” Ethan Houser said. “The district attorney cannot predict what my client would or would not have done.”
Stewart rounded on Houser with a shocked look. “Your Honor—”
“The gun was not loaded,” Houser added.
“The young woman and the police didn’t know that,” Stewart snapped.
Julie stood. “Your Honor, may I please speak?”
The judge adjusted his bifocals. “You have evidence to show me?”
Julie nodded. “May we approach the bench?”
His eyebrows furrowed, but he nodded and gestured for Stewart an
d Houser to join her.
“Your Honor, I find this highly objectionable,” D.A. Stewart said, slanting Julie a cynical look. “Special Agent Whitehead has spearheaded this investigation and assisted in collecting evidence against the young man in custody. And now she’s trying to get him off?”
“That is not my intention, Your Honor,” Julie said. “But there are extenuating circumstances that you should be aware of.”
He rubbed his forehead. “I’m listening.”
Julie took a deep breath. “We have just learned that this young man, Kyle, is really Will Bloodworth, a boy who was kidnapped when he was ten years old.” She explained about the doctors reports and the connection to the other kidnappings. “We believe that he is traumatized, but that he may be able to lead us to his abductor and to Hank Forte, the six-year-old child who was kidnapped this week.”
“Then leave him in jail and have a counselor work with him there,” D.A. Stewart said.
“The young man has been severely abused and traumatized,” Julie said. “Locking him up is cruel and unusual punishment.”
“He committed armed robbery and held a girl at gunpoint,” Stewart hissed.
“With an unloaded gun,” Houser added.
“Judge,” Julie continued. “There is much more at stake here than the robberies. We’re talking about solving a serial kidnapping case that spans a twenty-year-old time frame, and finding out what happened to nine other missing children. In fact, it is our belief that Will Bloodworth’s life has been threatened, and that the other children, if they are still alive, may be in extreme danger. The fact that the press showed Will’s photograph on screen could trigger this unsub to try to run, and to get rid of any evidence of his crimes, including the children he stole. Time is of the essence.”
“Judge,” D.A. Stewart argued. “These dramatics are out of line. You can’t release this young man. He’s dangerous.”
Julie pivoted toward the D.A. “What do you think is happening to the other children this man is holding hostage?”
The D.A. opened his mouth to object, but the judge threw up his hand. “I’ve heard enough.” He glanced down at the files, skimming over the reports Julie had provided.
When he looked back up, a deep frown marred his face.
“What do you propose we do?” the judge asked. “I can’t release him on his own.”
“His older brother, Brody Bloodworth, is here, Your Honor. He’s been searching for his brother for years. He’s not only a respectable member of society, but he owns a ranch called the Bucking Bronc Lodge. The BBL is designed to help young boys and men in trouble, and is equipped with on-site counseling services.”
The judge’s eyes flickered with recognition. “I’ve heard of the BBL.” He glanced over at Brody with a quick smile.
“I will also be monitoring him,” Julie added. “You can release him into my custody. Together with Mr. Bloodworth, I believe we can convince Will to lead us to his captor and to Hank Forte.”
Julie held her breath while she waited on his response. A moment later, he gave a short nod then gestured for them to take their seats. The D.A. gave her a disapproving look as she went to stand beside Will. Brody looked anxious, but Will still sat rigid, his expression stony.
Julie said a silent prayer that the judge agreed with her. If Will had to return to jail, she was afraid they would lose any chance of him talking.
* * *
BRODY’S LUNGS churned for air as he waited on the judge to answer. He’d tried to hear what Julie and the D.A. were saying, but they had spoken in hushed voices.
But Julie was fighting to save his brother.
His admiration for her mounted. He had loved her so much when they were young. And as much as he hated her job, he was impressed with her tough, professional demeanor. She was a powerful advocate when she cared about something.
The judge pounded his gavel and the bailiff gestured for them to rise to hear his decision. “After evaluating the evidence in this case and considering the extenuating circumstances,” the judge said, “I have decided to release Kyle into the custody of Special Agent Julie Whitehead with the stipulation that he remain in her care and that he reside on the BBL with supervision by Mr. Bloodworth.” He angled himself toward Will. “But know this, young man, if you attempt to escape from them or do not cooperate and undergo counseling as mandated by this court, you will be returned to jail until time for your trial. Do you understand?”
Will squared his shoulders, but a flicker of some emotion Brody didn’t understand registered in his brother’s eyes.
“I asked you a question, young man,” the judge said in a firm voice. “Do you understand?”
Will’s lips pinched tightly together. “Sir, yes, sir.”
The judge studied him for a moment then looked at Brody. “Bail is set at a hundred thousand dollars. You can pay the clerk outside.” He turned to Julie. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Special Agent Whitehead.”
“Yes, sir,” Julie said.
He pounded the gavel, then dismissed them. Ethan shook Brody’s hand. “I’ll let you know when the trial date is set. And I’ll need to speak to my client before then.”
“We’ll stay in touch,” Brody said. “Just see that the trial date is postponed until we have a chance to get some answers.”
“Of course.” Ethan reached out to pat Will’s shoulder, but Will stiffened and moved away from him.
Brody’s heart ached. He would do everything he could for his brother.
He just hoped it would be enough.
The guard removed Will’s handcuffs, but Will remained rigid as if he’d just been sentenced to another cell.
“Come on, Kyle,” Julie said softly as she took his arm. “We’re taking you to Brody’s ranch.”
Will frowned, and Brody wondered when would be the best time to tell him about the DNA test. Ethan flanked Julie on one side while he walked beside Will, the four of them leaving the courtroom at the same time.
Brody went to pay the clerk the bail money, then joined the trio again and they headed down the hall, then outside.
He gritted his teeth when two reporters shot forward, mikes extended, cameras flashing. “Special Agent Whitehead, we heard you arrested one of the boys in the gang of robberies?”
“Son, why did you do it?” the other reporter asked.
The first reporter shoved the mike at Julie. “Are you releasing him?”
Julie’s expression tightened, and Will dropped his head in an attempt to avoid the camera. “Yes, we made an arrest but the investigation is ongoing, and I can’t comment on it at this time.”
Reporter one bristled. “Mr. Bloodworth, you run the BBL. What is your relationship to the defendant?”
Brody glanced at Will and saw his jaw flinch slightly. He couldn’t divulge the truth to the public before Will knew. Neither did he want to reveal where he was taking Will in case his kidnapper came after him. “No comment.”
Ethan stepped up. “Excuse us. We’re done with this interview for now.”
The reporters both opened their mouths to ask more questions, but Ethan quickly herded Julie, Will and him toward the car.
Will’s posture remained rigid as they stepped outside, but his eyes scanned the streets as if he was looking for someone.
Or for a way to escape.
Brody grimaced. He’d have to watch him on the ranch. He had a feeling the first chance he got, Will would bolt and run away.
* * *
HE WATCHED THE NEWS interview with a scowl. Son of a bitch.
How the hell had Brody Bloodworth found Kyle?
He bunched his hands into fists. If he was taking him back with him to that ranch, it meant he knew who he was.
And he would drill Kyle until he remembered what happened that da
y at the rodeo.
If anyone could break Kyle, it was his brother.
Fury coiled inside him as he stood and went to the window. If Kyle broke and spilled his guts, he might lead them to the compound.
He couldn’t let that happen. He’d moved before, but he liked it here. And every time he moved, he had to leave some of his family, his team behind.
Jeremy walked in the door and he explained what had happened.
“Don’t worry, Father,” Jeremy said. “I will take care of Kyle.”
He smiled and patted Jeremy on the back. He had taught his son to obey and now he would.
CHAPTER TEN
The ride to the BBL was riddled with tension. Julie kept her eyes on the wheel and listened as Brody told Will about the BBL.
“It adjoins my property,” Brody said. “It’s definitely a working ranch so I have hired hands, but the boys who attend the camps also assist. The older boys, actually teens like yourself and some in their twenties, teach the younger ones how to ride, groom the horses and work with the cattle.”
Will remained sullen as he stared out the window.
“We had a rodeo last year to raise money and had some big-name rodeo riders. One was a friend of mine—Johnny Long. The boys also made promotional signs for it and participated in riding, roping skills, barrel races and other events.”
Other than a small frown that puckered between Will’s dark eyebrows, he showed no reaction.
“I bet you’re hungry.” Julie glanced in the rearview mirror to see his response but he made none.
“I could eat a burger,” Brody said.
“Me, too.” Julie knew the area and found a steak-and-burger place that she remembered had great fries, and pulled in. Will made no movement to get out until Brody climbed out and walked around to his door and opened it for him. Will unfolded his lean body from the vehicle. Brody placed his hand on his shoulder to guide him in, but Will’s look of warning made him drop it.
Five minutes later, they were seated at a corner table sipping tea and waiting on their food.
“I realize you don’t know me,” Brody said. “But I really want to help you, Will.”
