Page 14 of Kylie

I wasn’t sure why they’d gone mute, but I didn’t really need their input, and I certainly didn’t need small talk.

“Like I told you on the phone, I want to offer a reward for any information that leads to the capture and arrest of Juliet Prince in relation to my wife’s murder.”

I probably shouldn’t have tacked on the last part so harshly, but it was all I could do to spit the words out.

“I know I mentioned to you that the governor discussed disbandin’ the task force,” Brantley said. “I just want to make sure you understand that happened. We no longer have jurisdiction over anything. In fact, we’ve gone private. The task force is under the umbrella of Sniper 1 Security.”

I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, but I nodded.

“We’ve got a large team of their agents down here assistin’ with the search. Includin’ RT and Hunter.”

For some damn reason, that loosened the knot in my chest.

Yes, I had been holed up in my house, and my warped and twisted thoughts had led me to think that no one was out there doing anything to find the bitch. Despite the fact I'd blamed them more than once—at least in my head—I should’ve known Brantley and Reese wouldn’t stop looking.

“We are pursuin’ several leads. I just want you to understand, we’re actively workin’ this. In fact, it’s the only thing we’re workin’ on.”

I swallowed a hot ball of emotion and nodded.

Brantley glanced at Reese, then back at me. Silence hung between us as though Brantley thought I might have something to say. If I thought I could get words out, perhaps I would, but it was taking everything in me to sit there.

Brantley nodded. “You mentioned a reward. How much are you thinkin’?”

I reached for my water, took a drink. “Whatever’s appropriate. Money’s no object.”

Brantley and Reese shared a look, and then Reese spoke up. “We need to make you aware of what’ll happen once that reward is posted. Once it’s made public, we’ll be inundated with leads. Unfortunately, the majority of them will be bogus. And while it only takes one actual lead to get the result we’re lookin’ for, it’ll require additional resources to handle the influx. That means those who’re currently in the field will be called back in to answer the phones.”

“I’ll have the calls come here,” I offered.

Brantley shook his head. “Not a good idea. Then we’re dealin’ with secondhand information. If you want to do this, I’d rather we take the calls directly.” He sat up, leaned forward, his eyes hard. “I just need you to know that we will stop at nothin’ to find her, so whatever you think’ll help make that happen, we’ll gladly adjust our strategy.”

I considered it, then said, “Five hundred thousand dollars.”

Brantley exhaled heavily. “I know you said money’s no object, and there’s no amount you won’t pay. We get that. Really. But I suggest we start with fifty or a hundred. Something reasonable. Like I said, we’ll be inundated with bullshit that we have to sift through. The more you offer, the more crazy you invite.”

“One hundred, then.”

Brantley nodded. “Okay. Now, the next issue we need to deal with is the press is gonna want a statement. I talked to RT before we came over here, and he suggested we have Sniper 1 represent you and your family. They’ll take the lead. They’ll make the public announcement regardin’ the reward, and they’ll field any questions.”

I immediately shook my head. “I should be the one. That way, Juliet sees that I’m not takin’ this sittin’ down.”

“Actually, we were hopin’ to do the opposite.” Reese’s stare was intense. “We believe Juliet has remained in the area because she’s not finished with you yet. Based on the profile that was done, it’s believed she has developed an obsession with you. By givin’ her access to you on live television, it’ll play into what she needs.”

“I don’t see a problem with that,” I told Reese.

“If we can keep you out of reach, unavailable to her, we’re hopin’ it’ll draw her out. At this point, that’s our best option.”

“Before you ask,” Brantley added quickly, “we’ve got agents placed throughout Coyote Ridge. They’re keepin’ a close eye on your parents, your brothers, their SOs, kids. We’ve even got a pair stayin’ across the street from you. Like I said, RT pulled out all the stops for this.” His voice lowered, and I heard the pain in it when he added, “She won’t get another opportunity to hurt anyone else.”

I could tell they expected me to say that she never should’ve had the chance in the first place. Yes, it was the first thing I thought about every fucking day. And while I had laid the blame right at their feet during the first couple of days, I knew it was not their fault. Brantley and Reese had saved my daughter; they’d done something no one else was able to do at the time. I would not allow my anger and my hatred to get the best of me. They didn’t deserve to be accused of something they had no control over. And ultimately, placing blame wouldn’t make me feel better.

“We’ll do things your way,” I conceded. “Under one condition.”

Based on Brantley’s expression, he’d been expecting a stipulation.

“When you get the lead that zeroes in on her … I’ll be right there with you when you go after her.”

Neither of them said anything.