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When finished with her review, Kelly switched off the fourth monitor and sat back, her gaze falling to the current view of the building’s main entrance. No one was currently visible, but her gut told her Chandler had been here yesterday.
She took another long drink of her water.
Jason’s kidnapper hadn’t left the area, and he still wanted to eliminate her as a threat.
The FBI needed to know. Kelly grabbed her phone and punched in Ballard’s cell. He answered immediately.
When she told him the reason for the call, he sounded doubtful, but promised to send an agent to retrieve the video for review.
“Wentworth wasted his money,” Ballard said.
“I don’t think so,” Kelly replied.
“If Chandler is still in Miami, he’s gone to ground,” Ballard said. “Somewhere deep that Maria didn’t know about.”
“What about his cousin?” Kelly asked, her gaze still on the monitors. She blinked as a familiar figure at the main entrance caught her attention.
“Caleb has regained consciousness, but he’s not giving us anything useful.”
Only half listening to Ballard, Kelly stared at the monitor. A man had been standing off to the side, out of the visual field. When a female resident she didn’t know moved into the frame carrying grocery bags, he stepped forward to speak to her. He held a bouquet of flowers in his right hand.
He also wore a cast on his wrist.
Ballard said, “Caleb insists they didn’t know we were coming, but I—”
“Hold on,” Kelly interrupted. “Adam Chandler is downstairs right now.”
“You’re certain?”
“Yes,” she said, her heart hammering. The cast confirmed it. He’d been wearing long sleeves last night.
“Oh, no,” she moaned.
“What?” Ballard demanded.
Kelly’s breath caught as she watched the resident awkwardly juggle her bags so she could raise her key fob and release the lock. Smiling, Chandler pushed open the door for her and slipped in behind her.
Adam Chandler had found his way inside.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
MOVING FAST, KELLY disconnected with Ballard and phoned dispatch on the way to her bedroom. Yeah, Ballard claimed the FBI was en route, but her department could respond much quicker.
And by God they were going to get Adam Chandler tonight.
She donned her Kevlar vest, retrieved her service weapon and moved back to the monitors, barrel pointed down.
Did Chandler know her unit number? She wasn’t listed anywhere, but he’d somehow unearthed this address.
She focused on the monitor showing her empty hallway. Would he come up the stairs or use the elevator?
The bigger question was if he was armed. She had to assume so. He’d had a weapon that day in the park. She’d disarmed him with a kick. She’d broken the jerk’s wrist.
He wouldn’t come here without his Glock.
Her phone clattered as it vibrated on top of the monitor where she’d placed it, startling her, kicking her heart into overdrive. A split second later her ring tone sounded.
After a deep breath, she averted her gaze from the screen and read caller ID.
Dispatch had notified her lieutenant.
She pressed the speaker button and refocused on the monitor. “Jenkins.”
“What’s your status, Officer Jenkins?” Lieutenant Marshall demanded.
“I’m in my home waiting for Chandler to bang on my front door.”
“Good. Do not leave your apartment. That is a direct order. You’re far safer inside. Is that understood?”
“Understood, sir.”
“Multiple units are minutes out. We’re coming in silent to surprise him. We’ll cover all exits so Chandler can’t escape.”
Kelly nodded. “Good.”
Nothing yet on the monitor. She rotated her neck to release tension.
“Listen, Jenkins, I know you’re a rookie and haven’t seen much action, but you’re well trained. You were top of your class. You’ll do fine.”
She swallowed hard. She could actually use a pep talk about now. Waiting for someone to come shoot you pretty much sucked. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
“You’ll be ready for him,” Marshall said confidently.
“Yes, sir.” She tightened the grip on her weapon.
