I fight back the tears that are begging to be released. “I do. My parents went on a couples’ retreat to the Florida Keys to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. The anniversary itself was actually a few months ago, but only recently was my father able to find enough time in his busy schedule to get away from work. Even then, my dad always keeps himself available in case of emergencies, but he hasn’t answered his phone in a week.”
Ethan frowns. “If your parents were on vacation and spending time together, maybe Robert turned it off so as not to be disturbed. Even the Deputy Director needs a break from time to time.”
“You clearly don’t know my father as well as you think you do, Ethan. He would never turn off his work phone. If it was his personal phone, then maybe, but definitely not his work phone. My father has it on him at all times. If you didn’t know better, you would think the phone was surgically attached to him.”
The skin between Ben’s eyebrows knit together. “Have you tried to track him, Harper?”
I wouldn’t be much of an FBI agent if Ihadn’t, but I refrain from letting my snark loose on the people in front of me. They’re here to help. “I have. It hasn’t moved, which is why I believe that my parents have been taken. The last known location before the phone battery died was at the Keys to Romance Resort.” I remove a folder from my briefcase and hand Ethan a photograph. “Beachside Cabana #2, the Honeymoon Suite.”
Amelia perks up. “That’s an amazing resort. I’ve recommended it to some of my clients as a honeymoon destination because of the location, amenities, and activities geared for couples. It’s fairly tough to get a reservation and can have up to a year-long wait list, but all the extras are worth it.”
I nearly forgot that Amelia is New York City’s premier matchmaker. “It’s not just for couples, but specifically married couples,” I say. “The resort will turn you away or cancel your reservation if you are unable to supply a marriage license.”
She bobs her head. “True, but I have connections and have sent quite a bit of business their way.” Amelia turns toward her husband and brother. “Robert Finnegan has come to our aid on more than one occasion. If you plan on assisting Harper in finding her parents, then you’ll need to send married couples to the resort. I’ll see what strings I can pull to get a last-minute reservation for whoever you decide to send.”
I may not be married, but I plan on going one way or another. It’s my parents’ lives at risk. “They would have to be undercover because FBI Director Marshall Whitman has already assured me that he’s looking into this and has already sent agents to investigate. Whitman would see it as a slap in the face if I went outside of the Bureau for help. We’re supposed to be the best of the best.”
Ethan raises an eyebrow. “I’d imagine so, but then again, we’ve worked with the FBI in the past, and most of us are prior FBI agents. The other two on our team were once law enforcement and know how to investigate. We’ll do what we can to help, but I’d prefer to have Whitman’s support on this, Harper. Regardless, if we uncover anything, we will be required to share the information with the FBI. Otherwise, this company will be charged with obstruction of justice and shut down faster than my son can make a mess. Which is pretty fast, by the way.”
Ben sits on the edge of Ethan’s desk and folds his arms across his chest. “If the FBI is already investigating your parents’ disappearance, can you tell us what they’ve discovered so far?”
“Not much, which is why I’m here. The place was ransacked, and they found a droplet of blood that belonged to my father. Whitman agrees with my assessment that my parents have been kidnapped. He believes my father has been taken to another country.”
Ethan leans forward, and a corner of his mouth lifts. “I take it that you don’t.”
“You’re very perceptive.”
He chuckles. “It’s kind of a job requirement.”
I blow a loose strand of hair from my face. “I believe my parents are being held nearby, possibly on the resort grounds. If I were the kidnapper, I would want to keep my travel footprint to a minimum and remain close. If Whitman thinks that my father was abducted and is being held in a foreign country, then let him pursue that lead. My gut is telling me that it’s not the right path to follow, but I can’t investigate on my own.”
Ben grunts. “What if you discover that your parents are beingheld in a place where we can’t go, maybe Cuba or Venezuela? What will you do then, Harper?”
I huff. “I’ll have to concede that Whitman is right and take a step back, letting him handle the case as it moves forward.”
Ethan laughs. “Harper, I may not know you as well as some of the members of my team, but I know enough to see that lie for what it is. You would never stand idly by while your family is in harm’s way. I wouldn’t either, which is why we will do whatever we can. The rest of the team is waiting in the conference room. Let’s go get their take on the situation and then form a plan.”
All I can say is that the plan better include me because, married or not, here I come.
Chapter two
Roger
The team is gathered around the table wrapping up a debriefing from a previous assignment when Ethan’s wife, Amelia, knocks twice and pokes her head between the double doors to the conference room. “Ethan. Ben. May I borrow you for a moment?” she asks with downturned lips and eyes that repeatedly dart in my direction. “It’s urgent.”
Since Amelia is seen smiling more often than not, Ethan and Ben immediately know something is seriously wrong and stand up to excuse themselves. They give us a half-hour break, after which we will resume the meeting. Upon our return, I’m positive that we’ll get an update regarding whatever the current crisis is.
Most of my teammates scatter, whether it’s to grab a cup of coffee or go into a secluded corner and steal a kiss from their significant other. I just lean my head back and pinch the bridge of my nose, contemplating the look of pity Amelia had thrown my way. Whoever is waiting for Ethan and Ben has some terrible news.
Jerry rocks his chair and taps me on the arm. “Amelia should never play poker. Her not-so-sly glances say that whatever is going on somehow involves you, Roger.”
I nod. “Yeah, I kind of got that impression.”
“Do you think you’re getting fired?” he whispers.
I chuckle. “Why would you think that? What could I have possibly done to warrant getting fired?”
He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Well, you did break a cardinal rule by stealing the last donut from the box this morning. Don’t you know that no one should ever take the last donut?”
