The praise warmed her heart and did funny things to her insides. “Thank you.”
There was an awkward silence as they stared at each other. Daylight slowly gave way to dusk and a light wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I guess we should go back, see if they identified the fingerprint.”
She was reluctant to leave the peace and quiet of the back yard. Here she could pretend everything was fine and Grace was inside playing with her toys. She could converse with a handsome man and enjoy the late spring evening. Once they stepped back through the doors, it would all become real again. She’d have to face the truth that her daughter was missing.
She steeled her spine and headed inside. Dante guided her with a hand to her back and again, that jolt of awareness shot through her. The door to the office opened as they approached. “Phone…it's a blocked number,” Peter announced as he stepped aside so they could enter. They decided she would answer blocked numbers in case it was Sweeney. Peter slid on a set of headphones and handed one to Officer Lou Browning. Taylor stared at the ringing phone as if it were a two-headed snake.
“If it’s Sweeney, it’s probably a burner phone,” Dante surmised.
“Take a deep breath,” Browning instructed Taylor. Once she did, he put the call on speaker.
“Hello?”
“Well, well, well, Ms. Assistant State Prosecutor Hudson. We meet again.”
Taylor focused on Dante and he nodded, giving her strength. “Where is she, you son-of-a-bitch? What have you done with my daughter?”
He tsked. “Taylor, Taylor, is that any way to talk to a long-lost friend?”
“We are not friends, you bastard.”
“Aw, you wound me.”
“I would love to,” she retorted.
He chuckled “Okay, how about a little trade…you for your daughter.”
“When and where,” Taylor snapped.
“In due time. Tell me, did you miss me the last six years? We saw quite a bit of each other there for a while.”
“I didn’t think of you once.”
“Ouch, low blow. You really know how to hurt a man, don’t you, Taylor. To be fair, you didn’t see me at my best. Orange really isn’t my color.”
“How do you feel about black and blue? That’s the color you’ll be wearing when I see you again.”
“Is that a threat? Hey, coppers, are you hearing this? I know you’re listening. Maybe even the FBI, too. Am I right? She’s threatening me. I want to press charges of harassment. And emotional distress. I’m shaking with fear.”
“Where is my daughter?”
He ignored her. “Don’t try to deny the cops are listening, probably even taping this colloquy. But you know what? It’s a waste of hard-earned taxpayer money. My phone is completely and utterly untraceable.” Peter’s dejected nod confirmed Sweeney’s claim.
“Where is my daughter?” she repeated.
“She’s right here with me.”
Taylor’s hands balled into fists. She wanted to reach through the phone and strangle the man.
“We could talk for hours,” Sweeney drawled, “I so enjoy hearing the distress in your voice. But I think I'll play with Grace a little first. Later Ms. Assistant State Prosecutor.”
The line went dead.
“No,” Taylor wailed, her whole body shaking as she bent over and clutched her stomach.
Dante’s strong arms wrapped around her, guiding her to the sofa.
“He's going to hurt her.” Her breath puffed out in short gasps.
“Listen to me, Taylor. He's just saying that to mess with you. Nothing in his past suggests he's harmed children.”
She relaxed a little. He was right. Besides, it was her he wanted, so it would be in his best interest to keep Grace safe. “It sounded like he was in a car.”
“We can maybe triangulate an area where the call came from, but I don’t have much hope,” Browning said. “He wasn't lying…his phone is untraceable.”
#
Patrick Sweeney glanced in the rear view mirror and changed lanes to pass the slow-moving semi. Traffic was light so he was making decent time. Besides the school bus, which he didn’t count, it was the first time he’d driven since he was incarcerated six years ago. He missed the freedom of the road. He wanted to roll down the windows and press the accelerator to the floor, but he made sure to stay right at the speed limit so he didn’t draw any attention to the truck. He eased back in front of the trailer and checked to make sure the kid was still asleep. Yep, she was.
Damn, he would’ve loved to see the look on that bitch’s face when she realized her precious daughter was missing…and that he had her. He barked out a laugh. Her reaction on the phone had been priceless. Her tortured wail as he disconnected was sweet, sweet music to his ears.
She probably thought when the trial ended, he’d die behind bars but he knew he wouldn’t, just as he knew he didn’t belong in that hellhole. Hudson got lucky. Probably paid off the jurors. She thought she was smart, well, he was smarter. Sure, he took a plea deal, giving them the names of two other victims in order to avoid the death penalty. If they stuck him with a needle, he wouldn’t be able to exact his revenge.
He set his plans in motion the first day behind bars. Some of the hardcore bangers tried to mess with him but after he gutted one with a shiv fashioned from a toothbrush, they left him alone. He was never charged with the crime…there was a code among prisoners and no one ratted him out. The man he wasted was a lifer with a record a mile long. He wasn’t missed. Patrick did the world a favor by sending him to meet the devil early.
But life behind bars hadn’t been easy. He wasn’t cut out to live in a six foot by eight foot cinderblock room with nothing but a toilet and bunk. That which does not kill us makes us stronger. He repeated the Nietzsche quote until it became his mantra. He molded himself into a model prisoner. He worked hard, finally earned an assignment to the “honor block” where he was allowed out of his cell most of the time. He worked in the library and it took no time at all to seduce the meek librarian who stopped by twice a week. She was star-struck. Soon he had her eating out of the palm of his hand. She’d have done anything for him, and had…even kill. The escape had been flawless. He did regret having to eliminate her, but her usefulness had come to an end. Plus, she was too damn clingy.
His untraceable cell buzzed and he checked to make sure he was going the speed limit. “Yeah?”
“Hi, lover.”
“Is she upset?”
A soft laugh. “That’s putting it mildly.”
He grinned unabashedly.
“She’s devastated. I took pictures.”
“Perfect. Send them to me.”
“On their way. So what did you do with the other kid?”
“What other kid?”
“The other one you snatched…the boy.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“There’s a man here who said his kid was on the bus and now he’s missing, too.”
Patrick frowned. “I thought all the kids got off. I don’t know what happened to him.” He checked the back seat just to be sure. “He’s not with me.”
“Hum, well, the dad seems to think he is. And oh my, he’s easy on the eyes. I hoped you really had the kid so he would stay around longer.”
“Sorry to disappoint,” he growled.
“Jealous, lover?”
He scoffed. “That word is foreign to me. What’s the kid’s name?”
“Ken or Keith or something like that.”
“Find out exactly. A last name, too.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to have a little chat with the dad.”
“Kai Costa.”
She spelled it for him. What the hell kind of name was Kai? “What about the dad?”
“Dante.”
“Like the Inferno?”
“Huh?”
“Never mind.” Sheesh. He’d have to get rid of th
is one soon, too. He did not suffer fools gladly. “Keep me posted on any developments.”
“Will do, lover.”
#
Kai thought he might have heard the man’s phone ring earlier, but he couldn’t be sure. It was noisy in the back of the truck. The bed was hard and every time they hit a bump, he banged into the bottom of the tool box. He was going to be bruised worse than the time he played football and Rodney “The Rhino” Ramirez tackled him so hard, he saw stars for three days. Not to mention his cheek throbbed from where the man whacked him with his gun.
They hadn’t been on the road long and he prayed the trip was a short one. His eyes popped open when the truck slowed. If they were at their destination, they weren’t too far from home. His dad would find them in no time. The truck made a few turns and then stopped. He really wanted to ease out from under the toolbox but he couldn’t risk the man seeing him.
When the ignition shut off, he held his breath, waiting to see what would happen. The driver’s side door opened and closed. He pushed the blanket away so he could try to figure out where they were. He eased out from under the toolbox and looked up. Oh man, the golden arches. They were at a McDonalds. His stomach rumbled. He’d love a Big Mac and super-sized order of fries right now, but he had a bigger issue to address. They were parked at the back of the lot next to a dumpster overflowing with cardboard boxes. A quick peek to make sure the man was ambling to the building and Kai slipped over the side of the bed. He dashed behind the dumpster to take care of business and sighed with relief. He looked up in time to see the man stop, turn around and march back to the truck. Panic struck as he fumbled with his zipper. He was stranded. He’d never be able to climb back inside now. If the man took off, Grace would be on her own. He’d have failed.
The man glanced in the back of the truck, shook out the blanket and even opened the tool box and peered inside. Then he slammed the lid, shrugged and headed back to the building.
Kai breathed a huge sigh of relief. He narrowly managed being discovered. Thank goodness for his bladder. He hurried back to the truck and chanced a look inside at Grace. She was still asleep. He tried the door, not surprised it was locked. He slithered back into the bed and wedged himself under the tool box in tune to the loud grumble of his stomach.
The man returned and Kai could swear he could smell the enticing aroma of hot, salty French fries. His tummy protested again. The man cracked the back slider window and the smell hit his nose. He almost groaned in hunger. The man smacked his lips as he ate and slurped his drink and then let out a belch. Next he made a call and Kai’s heart raced.
#
Dante’s nerves were at the breaking point. He was trying hard to be strong for Taylor, but worry for Kai threatened to overwhelm him. He was a former SEAL, he was trained for every possible scenario. Not once in his career had nerves bothered him. He had complete confidence in his abilities and those of his teammates to handle any threat that came their way. But there was no way to prepare for the scenario where his son was missing and in grave danger.
Taylor left the command center to inform her sister and the rest of the people in her house that Sweeney made initial contact. Many of his co-workers wives or significant others were here. They were his family and he appreciated their support. He’d called his parents to let them know what was happening, but asked them to stay where they were in case Kai could somehow get to their house. He promised to keep them updated regularly.
Just when he thought he couldn’t wait much longer, the phone buzzed. He didn’t pay attention at first. The damn thing had been ringing off the hook with people calling to offer Taylor their support or media requesting interviews. Officer Browning had offered to answer the phone at first but when it wouldn’t quit, Nancy Robinson, his secretary, stepped up to take over. She’d shown up as soon as she heard about Kai. She was in her sixties with short gray hair and a figure that suggested she enjoyed food. She had a tendency to mother him and she spoiled Kai like he was her own grandson. She was the most organized woman he’d ever met. He was lucky to have her and several of his co-workers were always trying to steal her away. He wouldn’t let her go without a fight…not even to the retirement that loomed closer every day.
“Another blocked,” Nancy called out.
It hadn’t been that long since Sweeney called. Dante didn’t think they would hear from him again so soon. Dan Bradley hurried out of the room to fetch Taylor. She came rushing back inside, her gaze scanning the room until she spotted him. She let out a breath, as if his presence grounded her. A strange feeling gripped his chest. He didn’t want this lady to affect him. He didn’t have anything left to give another woman.
She nodded to Browning and he put the call on speaker.
“Hello?”
“So nice to hear your voice again, Ms. Assistant State Prosecutor Hudson. Bet you didn’t expect to hear from me again so soon.”
“Let me speak to my daughter.”
“I’m sorry, but you don’t give me orders. Besides, I didn’t call to talk to you. Put Dante Costa on the phone.”
Dante’s stomach dropped to his feet. If the man knew his name, it had to mean he had Kai. Taylor’s wide eyes met his. He took a deep breath, focused on maintaining his emotions and spoke. “This is Costa.”
“Mr. Costa? We haven’t had the pleasure of meeting, yet, but apparently I did have an encounter with your son.”
His heartbeat thumped in his ears. “What kind of encounter?”
“I assume he was the little brat who tried to be a hero on the bus. I had to take care of him.”
White spots swam in front of his eyes and he realized he hadn’t taken a breath. Taylor rushed over and squeezed his hand and he inhaled. “What did you do to him?” he growled.
“Now, now, don’t be getting all papa bear on me. I just gave him a friendly tap. I don’t know what happened to him after that. He must’ve been on the bus when I crashed it.”
Logan and Dorian were at his side, both propping him up and looking ready to jump through the phone to get to Sweeney.
“So you don’t have him?”
“Sorry to disappoint,” he drawled. “His disappearance isn’t on my head. Now, Grace on the other hand…I’m definitely responsible for that.”
The line went dead.
Dante glanced up at his coworkers as they gathered around him.
“If he doesn’t have Kai, where is he?”
Chapter Six
Dante’s stomach cramped painfully and it was all he could do to keep fear from swamping him. If Sweeney didn’t have Kai, and he hadn’t called, where could he be?
Taylor’s eyes welled and she hugged him. “I’m so relieved Sweeney doesn’t have Kai, too.”
He clung to her. “Where is he, Taylor? Is he hurt? Sweeney said he crashed the bus. If he was inside…”
Oldham spoke up. “The BPD located the bus. No one on board but they did find a body.”
Taylor gasped. Dante’s knees buckled.
“A female body,” Oldham quickly amended. “Oh God, I’m sorry…I should’ve led with that.”
Dante exhaled and nodded, sad for the loss of a life but so damn glad it wasn’t his son.
“Have they identified the victim?” Logan asked.
“Not yet.”
Dante ran a hand through his hair and locked his hands behind his head, his frustration mounting. “Maybe I should go home in case Kai comes back.”
Taylor pulled away with a panicked look but a mask dropped into place, almost as if her features were carved in ice. She took a deep breath and nodded. “You need to be there for your son.”
Maggie stepped up. “Carter and I can wait at your house in case Kai returns. You can stay here where all the troops are gathered.”
“What about RJ?” Maggie and Carter were raising Carter’s young nephew while his sister battled a drug addiction. She was currently undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program.
“He’s staying with his best friend. He
still thinks we’re on our honeymoon.”
“Isabella?”
Maggie smiled and nodded. “Aunt Trudy has her hands full.”
“Logan’s aunt,” Dante explained to Taylor. “She raised Logan and Dan. Isabella is like a granddaughter to her.”
“RJ adores Bella,” Maggie told her. “They’re so cute together.”
Carter rolled his eyes. “He even wants a dog just like hers.”
“A poodle.” Maggie grinned. Carter shuddered.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” He hated to leave Taylor, even though she had a house packed with people. His presence seemed to calm her and hers did the same to him.
“Not at all,” Maggie insisted. “It’s been a few days since I’ve seen Midas. I need some quality doggie time.” Carter rose from the couch and slung his arm around his petite wife.
Dante dug his keys from his pocket. “I appreciate it.”
As soon as Maggie and Carter left, Taylor excused herself to visit the ladies room. Dante watched her exit and then turned around, surprised to see his co-workers staring at him with expectant looks.
“What is it? You’re making me nervous.”
Luke was apparently designated the bearer of bad news. “Someone in this house is in touch with Sweeney.”
It took a few minutes for Luke’s words to process. Once they did, puzzle pieces fell into place. “Sweeney knew I was here with Taylor and that Kai was missing, but not with him.” Dante shook his head. “It didn’t even cross my mind.”
“Understandable,” Dan said. “Your focus is on your son, as it should be.”
“From now on, we keep everything we find, any detail large or small, between COBRA Securities, the BPD and Sawyer,” Logan said. “Unless we have concrete information, we don’t let anyone else know. Someone is feeding Sweeney information and we need to plug that leak.”
“Agreed.”
“Uh, guys, I have some news,” Sawyer said. “We got a hit on the fingerprint.”
“Who does it belong to?” Dante asked. “Not Sweeney, right?”
Oldham shook his head. “Not Sweeney. The hit came back to a Cassandra Collins.”
Cassandra Collins…Cassie.
Hide and Seek Page 5
