“You!” Aghast, she staggered backward. This was no police officer. This was one of the men who had taken Danny. But if he was here, then where was the boy? And what had become of whoever had been in the kidnapping car with them? There had to be at least two more thugs unaccounted for.
He gave a throaty chuckle and flicked the barrel of the automatic at the other car. “Ditch that phone, then yell for your passenger and get her back here, too. We’re all going for a little ride in the country.”
Although Sam did lower the cell phone and turn the lighted screen to her palm she didn’t sever the connection. Her gaze darted from side to side, seeking escape.
“Do you figure you can outrun a bullet, lady? ’Cause if you do, you’re crazier than I thought.”
“Who are you?”
“Obviously not who you’d expected. Now get your passenger to come over here or I’ll shoot you where you stand. And her, too.”
Given their tenuous situation Samantha saw no choice. At least not a sensible one. If she stalled, hoping that John or the police tail would soon arrive, she might still die for her efforts. If she went with this man, however, he could lead her to Danny.
“Just take me. Nobody else has to be involved.”
“Humph. You told me Southerland’s wife was with you. That means she has a ticket, too. Now, are you gonna wave at her or shall I?”
“I’ll do it.”
Mind reeling, body trembling, Samantha made a feeble gesture.
The passenger door of her car swung open. Lindy stood slowly, warily.
“Come here a second,” Sam called, hoping she sounded convincing. “And bring my purse, will you?”
“Why?”
The young woman was naturally leery. Anyone would be. Sam half hoped that she’d jump into the driver’s seat and speed away. She didn’t.
Bending and reaching for Samantha’s shoulder bag, Lindy also scooped up her own purse, slammed the car door and started walking toward their shared destiny.
All Samantha could do was stand there, helpless, and watch it happen.
* * *
John was beside himself. He radioed the scant information he had garnered before the signal from Sam’s phone had faded. His own lay on the seat beside him, still ostensibly connected to hers, while he used both hands to grip the wheel.
Rounding a particularly tight corner on the winding road he almost clipped the protruding rear bumper of a parked car. Samantha’s vehicle was positioned about fifteen yards ahead of it. If he hadn’t been looking for it he might have sailed right on past.
He swerved between the two parked cars, slid his pickup to a stop and grabbed his radio. “This is Waltham,” he said. “I’m on scene with the Rochard vehicle. I see Adelaide Crowe but there’s no sign of a driver or passenger in the other car.”
“Affirmative,” Levi answered. “Adelaide just told me the same thing. Put your heads together and get back to me with your plans.”
“Plans?” John stared at the handheld radio as if it were a poisonous snake. Taking his phone with him he began to jog toward the unmarked sheriff’s car.
Dark-haired, slim and ultra efficient, the female deputy met him halfway and nodded a somber greeting. “Motor’s still warm,” she said, eyeing Samantha’s green barge. “I couldn’t have missed them by more than a few minutes. Sheriff says you heard her being forcibly taken? Is that right?”
“Yes. She was talking to me.” He displayed his own cell phone. “I’ve lost the signal but if she’s still transmitting I may pick it up when we get out of this canyon. Any idea what direction they headed?”
“North. Into the back country.” Adelaide pointed at the laptop computer sitting open on the front seat of her car. “The tracking blip is moving fast so they can’t be on foot.”
“Okay.” John was circling to the passenger side of her car as she spoke. “Let’s go, then.”
“Can’t. The sheriff says I’m supposed to stay here and wait for backup.”
John tossed her a ring with the keys to his truck, then yanked open the patrol car’s door and slid behind the wheel.
“You have your gun and a radio,” he shouted. “Now you have wheels. I’m not waiting.”
“Hey! You can’t take that vehicle. It’s the property of the sheriff’s department.”
“I’ll settle with Harlan when all this is over,” John yelled through the open window. He gunned the engine, spun the tires and whipped out into traffic, leaving Adelaide standing there with her mouth open.