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Mike cocked his head. The guy didn’t sound like an elite Tempest superagent.
When he read off the GPS coordinates, Lori scribbled them on her palm while Mike committed them to memory.
“You get your ass over here, deliver those meds and get out. I don’t want the kid seeing you. He’s already yapping about Christmas. I don’t wanna hear any more out of him.”
“I’ll be there around seven o’clock.”
When she ended the call, Mike took the phone away from her and tapped it against his chin. “Who are the kidnappers?”
“I don’t know. I only talked to him once before.”
“Him? One guy?”
“Spencer figured the fewer people involved, the better.”
“He’s a local? Some local scumbag?”
“He’s from Denver. Spencer knew someone who knew someone.”
Mike chuckled. “And he thought he could take over the reins from Caliban? Caliban would’ve used his agents for an assignment like this.”
Lori looked at him like he was the crazy one instead of her. “Who’s Caliban?”
“The good senator really did keep you in the dark, unless you’re lying—but you’re not that good of a liar. I sensed something between you and Correll the first morning I was there. Too bad I didn’t know enough then to act on it.”
She held up her hand. “I have the GPS coordinates.”
“Wash your hands.” He tapped his head. “I have them right here.”
* * *
CLAIRE DIDN’T KNOW what Mike had said to Lori but when they returned to the house, Lori couldn’t even meet her eyes. Hope surged within Claire.
She didn’t have to pretend to be the frantic mother for the police. She was that mother, but she had something other frantic kidnap victims’ mothers didn’t have—six feet four inches of solid man, willing to do anything to get her son back for her, even give up his chance to make himself whole by foiling the biggest plot of his career.
She and Mike couldn’t get any time alone together, until the end of the day.
Mike had been sticking to Lori all day like a burr, and while the others gathered in the kitchen to order some pizza, Mike brought Lori over to Claire and one of the police officers.
“Lori agreed to take me out to the mountain where she last saw Ethan. I’d just like to get a visual, and Lori could use some air.”
Did Mike really think she’d let him do this on his own?
“I think that’s a great idea.”
The deputy scratched his chin. “It’s going to be dark soon.”
“Night skiing on Christmas Eve, right? We’re not going to be searching for clues, Officer. I just want to see the area.” He pinched Claire’s shoulder. “It might be too upsetting for you, Claire.”
“I’m going stir-crazy in here. Maybe Ethan just needs to hear my voice. If someone does have him, maybe he’s not far from that spot.”
“I—I agree with Claire.” Lori took Claire’s coat from the hook by the door and pressed it into her hands. “And I’d like an opportunity to explain what happened.”
With a furrowed brow the deputy’s gaze bounced between the three of them. “You’re free to do what you like. Be careful, and report anything to us immediately.”
“Of course, and you have Lori’s phone number if anything happens here.”
Mike took her arm and Lori’s as he marched them toward the rental car. He stopped at the rear bumper. “You can go back inside now, Claire. Tell him you changed your mind.”
“No way. You’re going after Ethan now, aren’t you? Do you think I’m going to stay here? He’s going to need me. What if...?”
“Nothing’s going to happen to Ethan. I’ll bring him home safely.”
“I won’t go unless Claire comes along.” Lori folded her arms, hunching her shoulders. “Mitch or Mike or whatever the hell his name is pulled a gun on me, threatened me with bodily harm.”
Claire put mittened hands over her ears. She didn’t want to know how Mike got his results. “I don’t care, Lori. It serves you right. I thought you loved Ethan. I thought you cared for him.”
