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27
Alex had just arrived at work the next morning when Jeff called her into his office. As she passed Alice’s desk, Jeff’s gracious assistant wouldn’t look at her. That was new. Had the Abbotts been on television again? She was certain the police were already overwhelmed with calls—most of them unhelpful.
When she entered Jeff’s office, he didn’t look happy.
“What’s going on, Boss?”
He gestured toward the chairs in front of his desk. “Something’s ... happened. I...” He shook his head.
Alex couldn’t remember ever seeing him like this. She suddenly remembered her dream from the night before and determined in her heart that she wouldn’t allow herself to feel afraid.
“Tell me,” she said.
“Chief Dixon received a package this morning. It was stuck in the door of his station. There was a security camera, but the package was dropped off in the middle of the night, and the man who brought it was dressed in dark clothes and a hoodie. He didn’t look up at the camera. The original note is at the lab so they can check for fingerprints and DNA, but here’s a copy of it.”
He pushed a piece of paper across the desk, and she picked it up.
I have the women. They are alive. You will send FBI agent Alex Donovan to the place I indicate tomorrow. If she comes, I will tell her where they are. If you do not follow these instructions exactly, the women will die, starting with Tracy Mendenhall. Merrie McDowell will be next. Just remember that I am not alone. If you betray me, someone else will execute the women, and you’ll never get them back.
I will call the phone I’ve included in this package and give you the location. Agent Donovan will have thirty minutes to get there. She is not to be followed. If I see anyone except her, the women are dead. I will check her for a wire as well as a gun. If I find either, you will lose your only chance to rescue these women. There will never be another opportunity.
The Ghost Rider
“We believe this is real. We’ve been able to keep Merrie McDowell’s abduction out of the press.”
Alex nodded at Jeff. “I’ll be ready.”
“I don’t want you to do this. You’re a BAU agent, not a field agent. I don’t want you walking into another dangerous situation. It’s too much to ask.”
“So we’re just supposed to let these women die? He could be telling the truth.” She heard the sharpness in her tone, but she couldn’t help it. “There’s no choice here, and you know it.”
“Alex, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure you’re mentally up to it. You haven’t been yourself since...” He sat back in his chair.
She smiled at him. “At least it’s thirty minutes this time instead of thirty seconds,” she said, referencing the case that had caused her so many nightmares.
“Not funny.”
“I realize that, but let’s get past thinking we can say no. We can’t.”
Jeff sighed. “You’re not going home until we hear from him. It’s not safe.”
“I understand. My go bag has everything I need. I just have to call my neighbor and ask her to look after my ... my dog.”
She’d been fine until that moment. Until she thought about Krypto. Would she ever see him again? She pushed the thought away. God had prepared her for this. She’d be okay as long as she listened to Him, and she intended to do that.
She suddenly remembered Logan. “I told Logan I’d take him to the hospital in the morning.”
“Too dangerous,” Jeff said, his tone making it clear he wasn’t going to argue about it. “I’ll get Nathan to drive him. We’ll make some excuse for you.”
“If it’s not a good one, he’ll know something’s up. If he finds out what’s going on, he might want to postpone his surgery.” She frowned. “Have Nathan take Monty along. I want someone to be with Logan when he wakes up. He and Monty are close.”
“Okay.”
“I’m supposed to call him tonight,” Alex said. “If I don’t, he’ll be suspicious.”
“Then you’ll have to talk like everything is okay,” Jeff said. He shook his head. “I don’t like hiding the truth from Logan. I hope this works.”
“If the UNSUB is telling the truth—and we have to assume he is—why would he suddenly decide to release the women?” Alex asked, changing the subject. “He’s been doing this a long time.”
