Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(71)
Brent considered the risk well worth it. “Step on it, Eli.” While Jake taped, Brent called Cal.
“Taylor.”
“Need a favor.”
“Name it.”
“I need your law enforcement buddies to turn a blind eye to my vehicle and two others.”
“What’s going on?”
Brent explained what happened in the cemetery and that Fortress was in three SUVs, chasing after the kidnappers. “We don’t know where they’re headed or I’d have law enforcement surround the place and keep Phillips from leaving with Rowan and Alexa.”
“I’ll contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Warren County law enforcement. You may have to call in a favor on this one, boss.”
“Copy that.” Brent would gladly burn a marker if it meant finding Rowan and Alexa faster.
“Slide over,” Jake said. When Brent complied, the medic shifted to taping the ribs on other side. Finally, Jake stashed the athletic tape in his mike bag. “It’s not perfect. The only way to alleviate the pain is to rest and heal.”
“When Rowan and her niece are safe.”
“The tape job will keep you mobile, Brent, but you’ll hurt. That much tape will be hard to remove. Don’t rip it off, boss. You’ll peel off a layer of skin with it. You need to shower first, soak the tape. You’ll still need help because you can’t reach all of it.”
He scanned his torso, frowned as he tugged his shirt down. “Looks like you used a whole roll.”
“Not quite. If Rowan can’t do the honors, I’ll peel the tape for you.”
Brent prayed Rowan would be available to help because that would mean she was free. “Update?” he asked Jon.
“Still moving into less populated areas of Warren County.” He frowned.
“What is it?”
“She’s slowing.” He paused. “Stopped.” His fingers flew over the keys. “Got it.” Jon programmed the address into the SUV’s navigation system for Eli.
Brent called Cal with Rowan’s location.
“I’ll send law enforcement to contain them. It will take a few minutes for them to mobilize and reach the coordinates, Brent. Phillips is out in the boonies.”
“Understood. Tell them not to engage unless they try to leave with Rowan and Alexa. No one goes in but Fortress.”
“I’ll try. I can’t guarantee they’ll listen. Most law enforcement thinks we’re overpaid cowboys with a death wish.”
Jake grabbed one of the ice packs and pressed it to the back of Brent’s head as he made the necessary call to President Martin. “Mr. President, I have information.”
“I have two minutes. Go.”
Brent laid out what he’d learned about the connection between the Volunteer militia along with the other militias on the list, and the Navarro cartel.
“Is your team in place?”
“Yes, sir. Their area is heating up. Not sure the cartel or the federales are making a move.”
Martin was silent a moment. “How large is the team on the ground?”
“Not large enough.”
“Remedy that. I want this taken care of.”
“Yes, sir. Mr. President, I may not be the best person to carry out your orders right now.”
“Explain.”
“The woman I love has been taken hostage by the Volunteer militia leader. Sir, my priority is saving Rowan Scott and her niece.”
“I expect you to take care of your missions, Commander.” Martin ended the call.
Eli whistled. “The president doesn’t ask much, does he?”
Right. Save the woman he’d die for in a heartbeat as well as her niece, rescue the ambassador’s family, and shut down the Navarro cartel. He sent a text to Josh Cahill, leader of the Durango team, activating his unit, then fired off another text to Zane to notify the other units that they may be called upon to assist in the efforts to suppress Navarro.
The miles passed in tense silence except for Brent coordinating the plan of attack with the other SUVs. Jon split his screen. One half had the flashing red dot showing Rowan’s location. The other half showed the buildings at the coordinates. Phillips’ compound was laid out well for his purpose.
Zane called. “Brent, the Volunteer militia purchased a Lear jet in the past month. A small, private landing strip isn’t far from the coordinates you texted me.”
Would Brent reach Rowan in time?
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Hard Hands hurried into the living room where Rowan sat on the couch, arms wrapped around her sleeping niece. The girl must not have slept much in the past few nights. As precarious as their situation was, Alexa had fallen asleep on Rowan’s lap as soon as Invisible Man ordered them to sit and keep quiet. That Alexa had so much faith in her ability to protect them both thrilled and terrified Rowan. She didn’t want to let her niece down.
“Boss, Merrick’s been listening to the police scanner. The cops are headed this way.”
More swearing from the boss.
“What do we do, Keith?” one of the other men asked.
Satisfaction rolled through Rowan. Confirmation of her captor’s identity. Small comfort if Brent didn’t know who kidnapped them or where they were taken.