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“That was you?” I exclaim.
“It was. I had to turn off and watch you through the side streets.” Mason looks at Alex. “Your girl’s got a keen eye.”
“She’s amazing,” Alex says, putting an arm around me.
Chloe gets up and calls to Sabrina, “Want to help me put out all the food Caleb brought over while the guys think of a game plan?”
“I want to be part of the plan. I’m taking back control,” I reply, glancing up at Alex.
“That’s my girl,” he whispers in my ear.
Several hours later, the guys are satisfied with how we’re approaching the situation. They even put Zeke on speakerphone to include him in all aspects of the plan. Mason is watching over Chloe and me starting tomorrow.
When everyone is finally gone, Alex and I sit on the couch, both of us tired. More emotionally for me, but Alex looks worn out too.
“With one call, life changes,” I say.
“True. But changes make us grow and learn. They’re not all bad. We don’t always like the lessons we’re forced to learn, but they can make us stronger.”
SIXTEEN
Mr. Black
ALEX
On schedule, Mason is at the door with Chloe to pick up Sabrina, and they go on their way. I wish it were me staying with her, but I need to figure out what Cameron is planning, if anything. It could be idle threats meant to rattle Sabrina. If that’s the case, he managed to do that well. Either way, this has to stop. Caleb texts me as I’m entering the police station. He’s just arriving at the prison and promises to come back with answers. Caleb’s not a guy you want to dick around with, so my money’s on him. He was almost as angry as I was last night. Caleb’s a tough guy, and he’s a leader. He does things his way, but in his eyes, you don’t hurt women or children. He’s always professional, and in our line of business, we see all kinds of situations, but when a woman or kid is involved, I can sense how much more it bothers him.
Zeke’s already at his desk, with Damian by his side.
“Look at this, man.” Zeke points at the screen showing a mug shot of Mr. Henry Ronat. Forty-three, never married, and just finished a stint at the same penitentiary as Cameron. He was released a week ago and didn’t check in with his parole officer. Out a week and already causing problems. Petty theft, assault, possession, but nothing that indicates kidnapping.
“You think he knows Cameron and they’re working together?” I ask.
“One way to find out.” Damian stands and puts his hand on his hips. “Let’s go pay him a visit. He’s staying at a halfway house not ten minutes away, and the sooner we talk to this guy, the sooner we get some answers.”
“Let’s do this.” I turn to Zeke and ask, “You coming?”
“Nah, I want to go through the phone log. There’s a bunch of weird numbers, and I want to know who’s on the other end. If they have a plan, I want to get ahead of it,” he responds. Zeke’s that guy—he digs a little deeper, gets into their heads. It’s what makes Zeke great at what he does.
“Right.” I follow Damian out and get into his vehicle.
“How are you holding up?” Damian glances my way as he drives.
“I’m pissed and worried about Sabrina.”
“Mason’s the best. Honest to God, he won’t let anyone near her,” he replies.
“Sabrina’s been doing great in therapy. She’s feeling more confident, reestablishing communication with her family, and she laughs more. The other night, she told me she was happy, like she’d never felt happy before.” I let out a heavy sigh. “Then this. Every time she picks herself up, someone knocks her back down.”
“She’s a tough cookie. This time, she’s not doing it alone.”
“We have a double threat. Cameron and the Russian asshole, who might want another crack at her because he can’t get any other answers.”
“Look, we’re closing in on the murder and the theft. We’re close, and Caleb’s waiting on a search warrant to check out the statue. That’s going to happen sooner than you think. As for Cameron, he’s a douche and in prison. Whatever he thinks he can do, it won’t go far.” I know Damian’s trying to make me feel better, but nothing less than ending this will do that.
I look up and see the run-down house where this guy Henry is supposed to be staying. We park by the curb and are just getting out of the car when Henry himself bolts across the lawn and takes off between two houses.
“That’s him!” I yell, and both Damian and I take off after him. Got to give it to the guy, even at his age, he’s fast and nimble. Henry jerks something out of his pocket—a gun. I call out to Damian, “Gun!”
