The Unexpected Wedding(59)

~ * ~

By some kind of magic that Cal thought only happened on TV shows, the Feds had picked up the van. They knew it had gone into a warehouse district near New Orleans. He’d ridden with them, after a brief argument and not taking no for an answer.

It seemed like the trip took forever. He stared at his phone, willing Becky Lee to text again, let him know they were okay. He clenched his jaw, choking back the anger that raged against his father. Was he involved in all of this?

His mind went through all kinds of terrible scenarios. Was Scotty frightened? He bet Becky Lee was putting on a good front for the boy, pretending everything was going to be okay. But was it? Had they been hurt?

He glanced at his watch as they approached New Orleans. They’d sped the distance from Comfort Crossing to New Orleans in record time, with sirens blazing until they got near the area.

The driver parked the car in an alleyway. Two other cars pulled up behind them. A handful of men came up to talk to the lead agent. “It’s the warehouse three blocks down. Has a big red door on Morgan Street. A back door on Fifth. We’ll split up and come at it from front and back.”

The agent turned to Cal. “You stay by the car. We’ll handle this. We don’t want you jeopardizing anything. Got it?”

Cal nodded. He didn’t want to put the operation at risk. They knew what they were doing, right? He leaned against the side of the car watching the agents head off down the street. That lasted all of about five minutes until he couldn’t stand it any longer.

Cal hurried after the agents, keeping his distance.

He slipped down the street, ducking into alleys and doorways, staying back. He saw the warehouse in the next block and went down a side street to get near it.

Shots rang out and his heart tripped. Scotty and Becky Lee were in there. They shouldn’t be shooting. What were they thinking? A side door was ajar near him and he slipped inside.

“Freeze.”

Cal stood absolutely still.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake. It’s you. You almost got yourself killed.” The lead agent lowered his gun.

“Are Becky Lee and Scotty safe? Who the heck was firing guns with them in here?” Cal let his anger and fear loose on the agent.

“I’m afraid they aren’t here.”

“What do you mean?”

“It appears that Becky Lee got them out. From a window high up in a room they were locked in.” The agent’s voice held a tinge of admiration. “Unfortunately, one of the men that kidnapped them is still missing. I assume he’s out looking for them.”

Cal struck the door frame with the palm of his hand.

“We did get the other kidnapper and we got Luca. We even have his conversation with the thug he hired, incriminating himself with ordering the kidnapping. That’s been a long time coming, taking down Luca.”

“Fine, you got your guy. Now we need to find Becky Lee and Scotty. We need to find them before the other kidnapper does. And don’t even bother with the wait by the car thing.” Cal spun around.

“Look, you can’t go with us.”

“Then I’ll go out on my own.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Watch me.” He stalked out into the alley, wondering which way to head out. He saw the agents scatter in all directions. He didn’t know which way to go.

TJ, you need to help me. I have to find Becky Lee and Scotty.

He’d no idea what made him ask TJ for help. That was just crazy talk.

But he was sure he was supposed to go to the left. Sure of it. He took off that direction at a steady lope.

~ * ~

Becky Lee bent over, catching her breath. She and Scotty were tucked way back in an entrance to another building, a few blocks from the warehouse where they’d been held. She didn’t really know which way to go for help. Well, except for far away from where they’d been.

“Are we… safe?” Scotty gasped out his words, trying to catch his breath.

“We need to get further away. I need to find a way to call for help. I have no idea where we are.”

“All the buildings are empty.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll find someone to help us.” Becky Lee just hoped it was soon. She peeked around the corner of the building. She saw a man walking quickly down the street in their direction. He glanced their way, looking up at that very moment and spied her. He sped up, running towards her. She grabbed Scotty’s hand. “We have to go. Now.”

They ran down the street, away from the man. She looked both directions, searching for a place to hide. She ducked into another alleyway but quickly saw her mistake. It was a dead end.

There wasn’t enough time to retrace their steps without chancing the man catching up with them. She saw a stack of wooden crates piled high near the end of the alley. “This way.”