Page 99 of Lion’s Den

“Eddie is gone.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

SEDONA STARED AT Cam, horrified by this latest setback. How could Eddie be gone? What did that mean? Had more kidnappers working with Simpson slipped onto the Rocking M’s grounds and taken Eddie by force? But how could that be? The Montgomery brothers had the latest high-tech security for their home and sprawling property. With their jobs in law enforcement and as black ops soldiers, they couldn’t afford to take chances with their safety. Their wives and children would pay the price if they did.

Owen scowled. “That kid just walked off the property, and no one noticed?”

“If that’s the case, we need to fire every one of our security people,” Elliot said.

“It’s not our security detail’s fault,” David said.

“Are you serious?”

“Would I kid about something like this?”

“One of our own cops did this?”

“That’s right.”

“Who?” Owen snapped. “We left four cops on duty on the inner perimeter along with twenty cowhands. Who broke our trust, David?”

“Joe Wilkens.”

“Are you sure?” Cam asked.

“Oh, yeah. The head of our security team sent me a copy of the security footage. Eddie sneaked out of a bathroom window an hour ago and worked his way off the Rocking M. Joe Wilkens saw him and turned away without saying a word.”

Cam dragged a hand down his face. “Unbelievable. I trusted him with Julio’s safety at the hospital. No wonder the boy was kidnapped. It’s my fault he’s gone.”

“No,” Owen snapped. “You have no power to hire or fire, Cam. Don’t take that on yourself. If anything, it’s our fault for not running Wilkens through the Fortress Security database and keeping closer tabs on him. This isn’t on you.”

Based on Cam’s expression, he wasn’t convinced.

“Who is on duty at the ranch besides Wilkens?” Elliot asked.

“Ross, Stanton, and Jacobs.”

“Have Jacobs arrest Wilkens and ask one cowhand to go with them for backup. Keep Ross and Stanton close to the house.”

“Agreed. I’ll contact Jacobs. We need to have Wilkens back at the station as soon as possible. If we don’t find Julio soon, we may lose both boys. Got a feeling Eddie is heading straight for Julio and Simpson.”

“We have to stop him,” Cam said, expression grim. “Simpson will kill him and his brother. He doesn’t leave witnesses behind.”

“We’ll have to find Eddie before we can stop him,” Owen said.

“ETA?” David asked.

“Ten minutes.”

“Copy that.”

Cam threaded his fingers through Sedona’s. “Let’s move. We need to get to Eddie before he makes a huge mistake.”

The group moved at a faster pace through the woods. Sedona did her best to keep up with them, but these men were in great shape. They did not spend their days chasing after five-year-olds the way she did.

“Are you doing okay?” Cam asked.

“A little winded.” Ha! That was an understatement. She was still moving by sheer will alone. All she wanted to do was curl up on her couch and take a nap. “You know, when I was a teenager, I thought staying up all night was fun.” Sedona shook her head. “What was wrong with me? All I want to do now is take a nap.”