Page 84 of Their Stormy Reunion

“He’s over sixty.”

“Michael, your dad is in good health. The paramedics felt good about his chances. Now tell me what’s going on with your mom.”

“Sid has Mom and Fallon. We’re pretty sure he’s taken them to some cabin up in the Smokies. He had a twenty-five minute head start on me, is all. We’re meeting up at Simon’s old cabin.”

“He’s probably driving your parents’ Range Rover.”

“Do me a favor and call Bruno and let him know that’s what they’re searching for. Before you go to the meeting point, can you go to my house. Sid kicked Harley. She didn’t get back up.”

“How do you know?”

“Fallon kept the line open the entire time Sid was talking to her. She even took a shot at him. She missed, but by God, she tried. But he kicked Harley. She also got the clue to me that it was going to be cold where he was taking her, but it needed to be able to have wireless capability.”

“She’s smart. She’s probably going to end up saving both herself and your mom.”

I repeated back what he had once said to me.

“From your mouth to God’s ears.”

When I got to Simon’s old cabin, there were seven men. I didn’t see Bruno or his brother Jace, and I had expected to. Bernie Faulkes was coordinating things, which made sense, since he knew the mountains like the back of his hand.

He jogged over to me.

“The search is in good hands,” he said first thing. “Jace Drakos, Bruno’s brother, used to be one of the best trackers for the SEALs. He took point. Unfortunately, we haven’t had rain lately, but even without it, he was able to figure out the Range Rover’s tire prints and he knows where they went. Only one cabin up that way, according to satellite photos. He and Nolan O’Rourke, who used to be part of his SEAL team have taken point. Give me your phone and I’ll plug in both of their numbers into your phone so you can catch up to them.”

I nodded. I had to get to my mom and Fallon. I had to.

Just like I thought he would, Sid took us to a cabin in the mountains. He tied me up first, followed by Lana. I don’t know what Sid had done to her, but she was bleeding steadily from her head. I kept telling myself that on every TV medical drama I’d ever watched, they always said that head wounds bled a lot, but that wasn’t the problem. The problem was how listless she was and how glassy her eyes were.

I watched as Sid fiddled around with the laptop, trying to get an internet connection. He had everything he needed to connect with the satellite remote network, but it was clear he didn’t know what he was doing. But when you considered the fact he went into prison when AOL was the hot item, no wonder he was confused.

Lana would bleed out before he would get things hooked up.

“Please untie me, I need to help Lana.”

He twirled around. “I told you to shut up. I need to think.”

He took out his phone again to make a call. It was the fifth time he tried; I don’t know why he was bothering, it was obvious he didn’t have a signal.

“She’s going to pass out. Then you won’t be able to have your show. I need to help her. She needs water and a blanket,” I insisted.

“Shut the fuck up!” he roared.

I flinched. He picked up the gun lying on the table, swung around, and took a shot at me. Well not at me, over my shoulder. But he made his point. I shut up.

I continued to watch him plug things in incorrectly while keeping one eye on Lana.

Until she slumped over in a heap.

“Done!” Sid crowed. Sid turned and laughed when he saw Lana. Then he picked up a roll of duct tape from the table and headed for me.

“Showtime.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

I gripped the wheel so hard my knuckles turned white. Fallon and Mom were out there, somewhere up the mountain in the darkness, at the mercy of a monster. Every second counted. My mind raced through every scenario, and I prayed that Jace and Nolan were good. I knew SEALs were good, but I believed in Army Rangers.

I called Jace’s phone and Nolan picked up. I recognized his voice.