Page 178 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Not quite a threat, but close enough.

Sabre kept her voice even. “Where’s Hannah?”

Silence. Then softly, “That depends on what happens next.”

The line disconnected.

Chapter 69

Wednesday early evening

Nobody spoke for a full minute after the call ended. They drove through evening traffic while the silence settled heavy between them.

Finally, JP said, “He’s setting terms.”

Sabre stared down at the dark phone screen in her hand. “I know. There was no anger or panic in his voice. That’s disturbing.”

Daniel Rourke wasn’t acting like a desperate fugitive. He was acting like a man trying to manage a negotiation.

JP turned onto the freeway. “Do you think he’ll contact you again tonight?”

“Yes.” Sabre already felt it coming. “He wants control.”

The phone rang again. Another unknown number.

JP pulled the truck onto the shoulder. “Answer it.”

Sabre hit speaker. “Daniel.”

“Are any police listening?”

JP and Sabre exchanged a quick look.

“No.”

“I need you to listen carefully,” Rourke said.

Outside, traffic hissed past.

Rourke’s voice was calm and measured. “I know Detective DuBois is involved. I know I was followed. And I know you think you’re close to something.”

Sabre said nothing.

“You aren’t,” he continued quietly. “Not unless I allow it.”

“What do you want?” Sabre asked, trying to sound casual.

“I want you to stop.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Yes, you can.”

“No.”

For the first time, frustration slipped into his voice. “You still think this is a rescue.”

Sabre’s pulse quickened. “What is it then?”