“If that’s what it takes.”
“It’s been you all along. Joe wouldn’t give up the thumb drive, so you planned to kidnap his son and hold him for ransom. Then, he died, and you still didn’t have it. It was in his office the whole time. You could have left my son alone.” She gripped the handle on the door. They were going to die if she didn’t do something. She glanced back at JJ. He was watching the exchange between her and Andrew. His small face was distorted in fear. She needed to get him out of the car.
“It’s not about the thumb drive.”
“Your partner is dead. Don’t tell me it’s not about that.”
“Yes, he’s dead, but it has nothing to do with the bank robberies.”
“So, your partners know about the thumb drive, and they’re the ones coming? We were at the police station. The safest place to be.”
He looked in the rearview mirror again. His grip on the steering wheel was so tight his knuckles were turning white.
“Pull over and let us out. We won’t say anything. We’ll wait until you’re far away and then call a taxi.”
“I can’t let you out of my sight. It’s not safe.”
Maybe, she could disable the SUV somehow. Turn off the ignition. Would he have to put it in park to turn it back on? That would be enough time for JJ to jump out, run, and hide.
“Joe sent me an envelope that explained it all. I’ve been so busy taking care of Victoria that I haven’t been home to check my mail.”
Quinn didn’t believe him. He knew what was in the envelope. Why else would he take the ones sent to her and Reid? She looked in the back seat. JJ hugged his knees to his chest, her phone clutched in his hand. Turning back around, she saw they were on a straightaway. If she was going to do anything, it had to be now. She reached over and turned the key, causing the car to shut off.
“What did you do?” Andrew slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop.
“Run, JJ!”
Andrew reached to restart the car, and Quinn fought with him, buying JJ more time. He hadn’t moved yet.
“JJ, unbuckle and get out!”
He jumped at her scream and finally did as she had told him.
“Stop.” Andrew brought his arm back, slamming her against the seat. He put the car in park and turned to her. “What have you done?”
“I’ve saved my son.”
“No, you haven’t. You’ve only made it worse. We have to find him before she does.”
“Who?”
“Victoria.”
****
Reid pulled the USB out of his pocket and laid it on the information desk. “Detective Jacobs is expecting this.”
“He’s with someone right now.” The officer grabbed a white envelope. “Name?”
“Reid Lucas.”
He wrote the name on the envelope. “Phone number?” He wrote it down as Reid recited it. Then, he put the USB in the envelope, sealed it up, and set it to the side. “I’ll make sure he gets it.”
“Thank you.”
Reid walked out of the station. The SUV wasn’t where he’d left it. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. Something was wrong. Quinn couldn’t drive. He dialed her number. She didn’t answer. He turned and came face to face with Victoria. She’d just walked out of the building.
“You must be the person Detective Jacobs was meeting.” He dialed Quinn again.
