What Happened to the Bennetts(83)

“You must know! You have cameras everywhere! Where did they enter from? I know you looked at the surveillance tape!”

“They entered from the back door,” Wiki admitted reluctantly. “The investigative team reviewed the tapes, and I didn’t get to see—”

“How did they find us?”

“We’re investigating that. I’m sorry, Jason, I know it’s—”

“How many were there?”

“I think two, plus Milo. They had on ski masks. We know one was Milo because of the tattooed sleeves. He’s not trying to hide. He’s already negotiating. He called us right away.”

I didn’t get it. “So why did he wear a mask?”

“Scare tactics, we think. They carried AKs, but no shots were fired.”

Oh God. I looked out the window, trying to compose myself. We were heading south past ritzy vacation houses. The sun was sinking, shooting bronze rays into the marsh, silhouetting the tall reeds and cordgrass.

“We believe they’re alive and unharmed. There were no signs anyone was injured.” Wiki glanced over, lips pursed. “Between us, the bosses are totally on board. They’ll make the deal.”

“For immunity?” I asked, anguished, but I knew the answer. I would have loathed the idea before, but no longer. “Fine with me. I just want Lucinda and Ethan back. And Dom.”

“I know, we’re on the same page.”

“So they came in through the back door, and Dom saw them on the monitors?”

“Yes, that’s what we think. So don’t worry, the negotiation team has been in this situation plenty of times. They have procedures, like any kidnapping. They’re already negotiating the other terms.”

“What other terms?” Of course. “Milo wants money, too? How much?”

Wiki gritted his teeth, his eyes pleading. “Jason, you’re going to cost me my job. They didn’t even tell me. I only overheard—”

“How much!”

“Twenty million, and out of the country.”

“They’ll give it to him, won’t they? I’ll give them everything I have.” I thought of the smoldering ruins of the house. The business worth zero. “Anything in the bank accounts, and I can try to borrow—” I stopped when I realized. “Wait, I know what else they want. They want a photo from Gitmo.”

Wiki frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?”

“They want to cover up for Ricks.”

“Cover up what?”

“I’ll explain later.” I had a random thought. “What about Moonie?”

Wiki blinked. “Oh, Moonie.”

I groaned, pained. “Oh no. What about him? Is he hurt?”

“I don’t know, I forgot about him. I think he ran away. He must have—”

“You think? Don’t you know? I would’ve thought Ethan would’ve taken him.”

Wiki shook his head, his eyes on the road. “I only saw part of the surveillance video. I don’t remember seeing the dog. I assumed he ran away.”

“Ethan loves that dog. I love that dog—” I looked around reflexively, as if Moonie would come running up. We were on a single-lane asphalt road, flanked by marshland. The sky was darkening fast.

“I’m sorry. I’ll find the dog later. He’ll probably go back to the house.”

“But you’ve been there all day. Did you see him? Did you even try—” I didn’t finish the sentence, it sounded silly. Lucinda and Ethan were more important than Moonie. Still. “I’m surprised the dog would run away. He’d be aggressive, like on Coldstream. He’s even been aggressive with me.”

“You can’t tell what a dog will do in an emergency.”

“That’s true,” I said, masking a newly uneasy sensation. I couldn’t imagine Ethan leaving Moonie behind. Moonie wouldn’t allow himself to be left behind. We were crossing a single-lane bridge over a narrow river. There was a fishing boat in the distance. Wherever we were going seemed deserted. I began to doubt Wiki was taking me to a safe house full of FBI agents.

“Sorry about Moonie. I was worried about you and everybody. I’ll call animal control when we get to the house. Maybe somebody turned him in.”

“Okay.”

Wiki glanced at the dashboard clock. “You’ll feel better when you meet the team. They’re impressive.”

“You’re right.” I pretended to ease back into the seat. “I need to calm down.”

“Lucinda and Ethan are going to be okay.”

“They have to be.” My thoughts raced. My gun was in my car. Wiki was armed. I could see the bulge under his black polo, on his right hip. “How far away did you say we are?”

“About twenty minutes.”

“Thank God.” I had to do something. I tried to act natural. “Poor Lucinda. She must’ve been so scared. Ethan, too.”

“I know. But Dom was with her. He’ll take care of them.”

“Will he? He messed up once already.”

“He won’t again.”

“I guess you’re right,” I said, bracing myself for action.

“I know I’m right, and—” Wiki started to say, but suddenly I grabbed the steering wheel and wrenched it downward.