AllFreeNovel
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“Yup,I can find something, I’m sure.”
Suds is going to kill me.If her AI program can’t find a location, how the hell can I?After saying our goodbyes, I turn the corner andapproach my son’s school.
Oh my God, no.As I count over a dozen patrol cars, my only thought is every parent’s nightmare, a mass shooting. As I start to run, a dark sedan pulls to the curb and my dad rolls down the window. At the pity on his face, my stomach flip-flops. Something horrible has happened.
My heart thumps in my ears as I pray.Please God, let my son be spared.“Daddy, what’s going on?”
“Someone took Mikey.”
Chapter 16
Suds
After waving goodbye to Blake, my phone rings. I can’t wait to tell Sam I’ve been cleared for work and quickly swipe the screen. However, when I put the phone to my ear, my good mood fades.
What the fuck? I can’t understand her through the sobbing, but I know it’s bad. “Calm down, sugar. Tell me what happened.”
“A gunman took Mikey.” Odd, how four words can change your life in an instant.
“When?” My dormant SEAL awakens.
“A few minutes ago.” As Sam’scrying slows, ice-cold resolve courses through my veins. I race down the hall and at Slate’s desk, press the speaker icon.
“Was our son hurt?” My grim gaze shoots to my friend, who grasps the situation scarily fast, nods, and snatches a pistol from a drawer.
One deep breath later, Sam answers. “Not that anyone saw. A man came into the school, grabbed our son, and just disappeared.”
“Let’s go. I’m driving.” Coat in hand, the Patten boss stops for comm units, dashes to the elevator, and barks orders to a new guy at the desk.
As I push the down button, a thought comes to mind. “Sam, check the school’s video footage. Send it to me.”
“Their system is ancient. Video tape. The police are rewinding it as we speak. Oh my God. What if something happened to him?” She’s not holding up well and if we’re going to survive this, she needs to stay strong.
Despite sharing her fear, my voice remains low and steady. “Don’t think that way. Hang tight babe. The teamwillbringhim back.”
Hyperaware, in combat mode, I exit the descending cage in the basement, and follow Slate to an idling SUV near the street.
A man in overalls jumps out of the state-of-the-art, bullet-proof vehicle and stands at attention by the driver’s side door. “Ready to go, sir.”
“I’ve got the wheel.” My friend jumps in and points me to the passenger seat.
“Right.” I can be of more use on the comms and phone.
“Best of luck. We’re all praying for you.” The uniformed attendant slaps me some encouragement on the back and while I do appreciate the sentiment, the Almighty’s oftenpreoccupied. In my experience, He gives every bird his food, but don’t necessarily throw it in the nest.
At this hour, crosstown traffic is heavy, but Slate races around delivery trucks like a pro. Soon, we’re heading south on the FDR, following the GPS to Brooklyn.
After a bit, I realize I never hung up with Sam. “Did the school video catch the kidnapper’s face?”
She still sounds broken. “N-no. He kept his head down.”
Dammit.The perp must’ve done some reconnaissance. “That’s okay, babe.How about his license plates?”
“The numbers were removed, but Jason is tracing the make and model. So far, the vehicle hasn’t left the city. Hold on, the police want to talk to me... call you right back. Love you.”
“Love you too, sugar.”
Hanging up with her, I slip on a headset. “You there, new guy?”
