“Yeah. We can get back to that later. Detective Ryan seems like a nice guy.”
“He is.”
“Oh, and I’ll let your boss know. Plus, ASAC Haversham, since you said he should be read into everything we know.”
“We?”
She made a quick turn and readjusted her sense of direction. “Can you let Ray know I’ll be there in half an hour? Maybe sooner.” She’d missed having a computer genius on standby.
“Roger that. Be careful, Jane.”
“Always am.” She disconnected to focus on the road.
While Diego contacted everyone, Jane thought furiously. What did Rook have planned? Because no way he’d be there waiting for her, knowing she’d be bringing the cavalry.
She called Diego back.
“Yeah?”
“Make sure everyone is cautious. No rushing into the warehouse in case he has it wired with explosives.”
“Oh. Right. Yeah, that would suck. Okay, I’ll spread the word. I love it when the gang’s all back together!”
He hung up before she could question him further.
He called again.
“Diego, I?—”
“It’s me, Jane.”
She frowned. Her youngest CI sounded scared. “Christian? Are you all right? What’s wrong?”
Then a new voice came on the line, one that made her angry and scared for the boy.
“Agent Jane Cannon. I’ve missed you.”
“Victor Bednarek. I’ve missed you too.”
He laughed, the raspy sound threatening and evil, reminding her all too clearly of the way he’d butchered three entire families.
“You’re going in the wrong direction, Agent Cannon.”
Christian shrieked, then went quiet.
“If you hurt him, you’ll pay.” She let the fear coalesce into focus, determined to fix this here and now.
“I can’t wait. Come and get me. I’ll be in the Greenbelt, near my little friend’s house in the jungle. Come alone or you’ll find him in pieces. First, I’ll start with his ears. Then his eyes, his nose, his lips…”
“I’m coming, Victor. And when I get there, I’m going to show you what pain really means.”
He tittered. “Oh, Agent Cannon. I can’t wait. Hurry up, but make sure you drive safely. We’ll be waiting. And watching…”
Jane stepped harder on the accelerator, aware of a car following her, with no time to do anything other than handle what came next.
Christian’s life was on the line.
Chapter 51
