Brenda had been a fool twice over—first with her husband and then with Mallory.
“I’m not sure that would be the right move,” Ben said.
His response surprised her, pulled her away from that awful, awful haunted place she’d fallen into. “Why?” That she managed the word without her voice trembling was a miracle.
“The way Shelton has dragged his feet and withheld information,” he explained, his eyes searching hers as if he understood how she felt without her having to say the words out loud, “I’m concerned that we may not be able to trust him completely. Better to wait on that one. I gave him a warning. We’ll see if he follows through. Either way, his actions won’t lead back to you.”
The point was a valid one. Frankly, she wasn’t sure it was possible to trust anyone other than this man next to her.
He touched her arm, just the briefest brush of his fingers. “I won’t ask if you’re okay. I know you’re not. But I want you to understand that I will find her. I want you to believe that.”
She nodded, barely restraining the tears. Damn it. She hated all the crying.Deep breath. “What if I call Agent Cummings? I have his number. I could tell him that I have what the cartel is looking for—I believe—and I’d like to turn it over to him. I can say I don’t trust Detective Shelton and I felt I needed to come directly to him since he’s with the FBI.”
She recognized from the look on Ben’s face that he didn’t see it as a particularly good idea. But she was desperate. She had to find her daughter. And as much as she trusted him, Lanier’s warning that she only had twenty-four hours had come just before she learned Janey and Mallory were missing. That had to mean something. And time was running out.
“I know it’s a risk,” she said before he could tell her all the reasons it was a potential mistake. “But Lanier warned me that I had twenty-four hours. I’m sure the clock started when he issued that warning. At the time I didn’t realize his people might already have Janey. But they must have her. Or at least someone on their payroll. Why else would Mallory be missing with her?Somehow she’s either involved with this and they’re using Janey as leverage or she’s a victim too.” Fear rammed through the numbness that had shrouded her. “Either way, we have to find her, and as much as I trust you to do exactly what you say, I need to be doing something too.”
“All right.” Ben gave her a nod. “We’ll set it in motion, but we have to plan carefully and strategically.”
“You’re in charge of planning,” she relented. “I’m too emotionally gutted.”
“I’m glad you recognize the disadvantage. It’s a very difficult time, and I don’t envy you the next few hours and days. But I will do all within my power to get this done quickly.”
She really was lucky that Scott had called the Colby Agency. She wasn’t sure how she would have survived this without Ben’s help. She refocused on the matter at hand. As easy as it would be to allow her mind to escape the pressure by getting caught up in thoughts about their night together, she couldn’t do that right now. Finding her little girl was all that mattered. No deviating from that singular goal, no matter how badly she needed to find just one moment of peace.
“You call him,” Ben instructed, “and tell him you believe you’ve found something important. Ask for a meeting as quickly as possible. Preferably we would want him to come here, but if he insists on someplace else, we’ll have to figure out how we’re going to handle the logistics. We’ll deal with that possibility if the need arises.”
“Okay.” Anticipation started to chase away all those other choking feelings. “Do I describe to Cummings what I’ve found? He may ask what it is. Where I found it.”
“Tell him it’s a series of names and numbers you found hidden in your house. But nothing more. Even if he presses the issue, do not give him anything over the phone.”
“Right. Got it.”
“It’s six now,” Ben went on. “See if he’ll agree to meet at seven. If he really wants what you’ve found, he’ll agree. An hour will give him plenty of time to make calls and drive here. We’ll be ready for him.” He smiled. “I’ll set up a video camera, and I’ll be armed.”
A frown drew her lips downward. “You carry a weapon?” She wasn’t actually surprised, but she just hadn’t seen one. He hadn’t been carrying a weapon when they’d undressed together. Surely she would have noticed the bulge under his jacket at some point over the past two days.
Two days… It felt like a lifetime since she’d had her little girl safe at home.
“I hope that’s not a problem for you,” he said. “We do not carry a weapon unless necessary. All agency field personnel are properly trained in the use of firearms for the purpose of protecting clients. Unfortunately, that step is sometimes essential in what we do.”
“No.” She held up both hands. “It’s not a problem. I understand. I just hadn’t noticed a weapon, so I assumed you didn’t have one.”
“My weapon is locked in a handgun safe in the trunk of my vehicle. I have an array of equipment, like video cameras and listening devices—much like the ones we found in your house—next door. Again, none of which I use unless necessary. From this point forward, being fully prepared for any possibility is, unfortunately, necessary.”
“I’m glad you’re fully prepared.” She shook her head. “I certainly was not. I was living my life as if I had nothing to worry about except finishing the next story.” What a mistake that had been.
In all the research she’d done into true crime cases, she should have been better prepared. Going forward, preparation was going to be her watchword. This nightmare had taught hera huge lesson about many things; paying better attention was at the top of that list.
“Let’s make that call,” he suggested, not allowing her to dwell on regret.
Brenda went to the living room and the table by the door and picked through her handbag until she found the agent’s business card, then she walked back to the kitchen. She slid onto the stool and picked up her cell phone.
“Here goes.” She entered the number and hit the call button. She held her breath through two rings. Was no one answering their phones today? It seemed as if everyone had her on Ignore.
The ringing stopped and a gruff voice barked, “Cummings.”
“Agent Cummings, this is Brenda Devers.” She held her breath so he wouldn’t hear her rapid breathing while she waited for him to react. Her nerves were in a frenzy.
