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“Stay right there,” Donovan warned. “You’re under arrest.”
“Am I?” Ward raised his eyebrows. “Under what charge?”
“Where are they?” Jackson cut in. “Where are Eugene and Isabel?”
“We have reason to believe you have the Perris, against their will, on your premises,” Donovan said.
“Reason to believe and hard evidence are two different things,” Ward said. “Search the area. I have nothing to hide.”
“Bullshit,” Jackson said.
Donovan nodded to a nearby officer and several cops broke away from the group to search the campsite. “Let me see your permission to be on this land.”
Slowly, Ward backed toward a table and produced two sheets which he promptly presented to Donovan.
It took all of Jackson’s resolve not to ratchet his arm back and sock Ward in the face. He’d run into the guy on several occasions. Never liked him and certainly didn’t approve of his philosophy of what archaeology was.
“He’s got signatures here,” Donovan said, handing the paperwork to Jackson.
“Eugene didn’t sign that,” Jackson said. “Or if he did, it was because he was bullied into it.” He shot a glare to Ward. “Did you threaten him? Did you threaten to hurt Isabel?” It was then that Jackson noticed the bandaged arm of one of Ward’s men. A man Blaze wouldn’t take his eyes off.
“People make decisions all the time, Doctor Henley,” Ward said. “Perhaps Mr. Perri simply saw a chance to make his mark on history by allowing a larger and more expert team to take control of the discoveries made on his land.”
Jackson surged forward, but between Donovan grabbing him and two of Ward’s cargo brigade stepping in front of the man, he didn’t get a chance to make contact. Blaze let out a growl then bolted from the tent.
“Everything is under control,” Donovan said to him. “The doctor here has granted us permission to search his campsite. He’s being cooperative.”
Jackson hated what Donovan was saying, but he noted the look in his brother’s eyes. The look that said he didn’t believe Ward was legit in any way, shape, or form, but he was trying to stay within the law.
The tension in the tent rose as they waited for reports from the officers searching the campsite. When neither Eugene nor Isabel was found, however, Jackson lost his patience.
“Look, my girlfriend and her grandfather are missing,” he said. “On the day you all fucking show up in town.” He pointed to Ward. “You heard about my find and you’ll do whatever the hell you can to move in on it.” He threw his hands out to his sides. “Well, you can fucking have it. Tell me where Eugene and Isabel are, please.” He loathed the defeat, the begging in his voice, but he’d try anything to get the people he loved back.
Even give up his find.
“How noble,” Ward said. “But I don’t need your permission, Henley. I have the old man’s and it’s officially his land.”
“Okay. Then why do you still need to hang on to Isabel and Eugene. You have what you want. Let them go.”
“But your investigation hasn’t turned up either of the Perris. I can’t let go of what I don’t have.”
“Dammit, Ward!”
Jackson moved like lightning, surging forward and plowing into Ward, knocking the man to the ground. He got in one good punch, but then found himself being lifted off the other man and restrained. A police officer had him on one side and one of Ward’s men had him on the other. And here Jackson was, stuck between the lawful and the unlawful.
Distant barking reminded him Blaze was with them. These assholes better not be hurting that dog on top of hiding Eugene and Isabel somewhere.
Ward got to his feet with the help of one of his goons. He dusted off his pants and wiped the blood from the lip Jackson had split. “Officer,” he said to Donovan, “I’d like to report an assault on my person.”
“Shut up,” Donovan said. “I have no doubts you probably deserved that punch.”
“All these witnesses might say otherwise.” Ward gestured to his people.
“What did he promise you all that you’re so brainwashed?” Jackson asked as he strained against the two dudes holding him. “Open your damn eyes. He’s crooked.”
“I think I’ve been more than accommodating, Officer,” Ward said, ignoring Jackson and addressing Donovan. “You asked me questions, I answered. You asked for permissions, I showed them to you. You asked to search my operation here, I granted you that. Unless you plan to make an arrest here, I suggest you leave our camp.”
Donovan grumbled. “Something doesn’t smell right here, Ward.”
