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The sound of a throat clearing drew both their attention away from each other. Jason stood on the patio with a sheepish expression stamped on his face. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m about to make some blueberry pancakes. I just need to know how many you guys want.”
Cadence grinned. “I haven’t been eating much in the past few days, but those sound delicious. I guess Caleb isn’t the only Donahue who knows how to cook.”
“Ha!” Parker cried out. “Don’t compliment him too soon. You have to taste the pancakes before you heap praise on this guy.” Parker wrinkled his nose. “They might taste like sludge.”
“Hey! Easy there, or you won’t be getting any pancakes,” Jason teased. “You know I can give Caleb a run for his money.”
Parker walked toward his brother and patted him on the shoulder. “That’s what I love about you, Jason. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, you remain overly confident.”
“Not confident. Just convinced of my greatness,” Jason said, showcasing a pearly smile.
Cadence watched with a grin on her face as they continued to go back and forth.
It was nice that they could be lighthearted for a few moments. It broke up a lot of the tension and nerves. He was happy to see Cadence in a more relaxed mood. Before long they would be heading out to meet up with Mason at Stillwater Cove Park. If he was being honest with himself, Parker would admit to being more nervous than he’d ever been on assignment. This wasn’t any ordinary case. His son’s well-being hung in the balance. Parker had dealt with unhinged individuals many times in his professional life. He knew the signs well. Mason Price fell into the category of an unbalanced sociopath. All bets were off as to how he would play his cards in their upcoming encounter.
Although he’d initially had a hard time wrapping his head around Cadence’s revelation about his best friend’s death, he now knew it all made sense. Keith had always been a careful driver. Parker had initially been incredulous about the cause of Keith’s death. Why hadn’t he investigated it? He had looked at the police records and there’d been no evidence of the car having been forced off the road. Had Price paid someone off in the police department? At this point he wouldn’t put anything past him.
All he knew was that he needed to be on guard. And, God willing, he would get his son back today.
**
Stillwater Cove Park was a beautiful area. Everything was lush and green. Upon entering the park, signs announced camp grounds and a family picnic area. In different circumstances, Cadence imagined she would be able to fully appreciate the magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and the wooded trails stretched out all around the area. At the moment, all she could think about was Logan. Was he already here? Were they close by? Would she be able to hold him in her arms before she went away with Mason?
As they drove up toward the designated meeting area, Cadence sat silently in the back seat. There was a toddler car seat next to her for Logan. She twisted her fingers, nervous about what was about to happen.
She wasn’t sure how she was going to pull it off. Parker would be absolutely furious, she imagined. But it was the only way she could get Logan back. And that was what mattered most. Her baby boy. Cadence knew Logan would be safe with Parker. That’s all she needed to know to get her through this ordeal. Once Logan was safe, Cadence would plot her own escape from Mason. Never again would she live under his control.
Parker parked in the spaces about twenty feet away from the bridge. Cadence kept her eyes peeled for any glimpse of Mason and Logan. Minutes ticked by. Agonizing minutes during which she began to wonder if Mason was playing a game of cat and mouse with them. No one spoke in the car. Parker idly drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Jason kept fidgeting in the front seat. Somehow it made Cadence feel better to know she wasn’t the only one dealing with nerves.
Suddenly, a dark green car pulled up on the opposite side of where they were parked. Cadence didn’t know a lot about cars, but she did recognize this particular car as a Jaguar. Mason’s favorite. He owned several. This one had dark tinted windows which made it hard to see inside. The driver’s side door slowly opened and legs swung down to the ground. A man dressed in a dark shirt and grey slacks stepped out, wearing dark sunglasses. She felt goosebumps pop up on her arms. There was no mistaking his identity. It was Mason.
“That’s him,” Cadence said, her throat as dry as sawdust. A feeling of anger rose up inside her at the sight of her ex-husband. She craned her neck looking for Logan. Where was he?
Jason pulled out his binoculars and looked in the direction of the car. “I see some movement inside. I think it’s Logan.”
Joy speared through Cadence. She let out a deeply held breath. Logan was within reach.
“I need to go get Logan,” Cadence said, leaning forward in her seat and pressing her hand on Parker’s shoulder.
“That’s not going to happen, Cadence. Frankly, you pretty much talked me into even allowing you to come along. It’s not safe to approach Mason. Who knows what he has planned?”
“It needs to be me, Parker. For many reasons. Logan will be frightened if he doesn’t see me. And with the way Mason feels about you, Parker, it’s not wise to rile him up. He knows your Logan’s father.” She let out a sigh of frustration. “We have to act quickly before he decides to leave or switch things up. All he has to do is get in his car and drive away with Logan. He knows this area like the back of his hand.” Cadence could hear the panic ringing out in her voice. She was well past being calm. She wanted her son back in her arms.
“She has a point, Parker,” Jason said in a low voice.
Parker swung his gaze toward his brother. “It’s not safe.”
“Then stand a few feet away from us,” Cadence suggested. “Trust me, Parker. I’ll get Logan back safely.”
Parker let out an agonized groan. “We’re both going to get out of the car. I’m going to watch you from a few feet away. I’m carrying a gun. If anything looks off, I’m coming over.”
“Thank you, Parker,” she said, relief sweeping through her. Once she laid her hands on Logan she would make sure he was safely in Parker’s arms.
Cadence got out of the car and walked over toward Mason. He was leaning against his car with his arms folded across his chest. He grinned at her, an eerie smile that didn’t look at all genuine. In truth, it creeped her out.
She reached for the handle of the door. Mason moved in front of her so that she couldn’t open it. “Now, now, my lovely Cadence. All in due time.”
“I want to see my son,” she demanded.
