Hearts Divided (Cedar Cove #5.5)(53)

Gray was waiting for him on the sidewalk outside a run-down apartment building near downtown Seattle.

“This is the address you have for Dodd?”

“Yup.”

Jake ran a quick, assessing glance over the old building’s worn facade. “It doesn’t look like Dodd. He’s obsessively neat and clean.”

Gray shrugged. “Maybe he chose this place on purpose because it’s the direct opposite of his usual living space.”

“Could be.” Jake followed Gray into the small foyer. “What floor is he on?”

“Third. Apartment 302.” Gray looked at the elevator’s grimy buttons and shook his head. “This thing’s older than dirt. I say we walk up.”

“Good plan.”

The third floor of the building had six doors opening off the hallway. The walls were painted institutional green and matched the worn green carpet on the floor. Both men drew weapons, taking opposite sides of the door to Apartment 302.

“You got a concealed-weapon permit for that thing?” Gray asked.

“Yeah.”

“Just checkin’. Wouldn’t want to have to arrest you.”

“Oh, hell. Just open the damn door.”

Gray grinned, banging on the door panel. “Open up. Police.”

No one answered.

Gray knocked once more, repeated his words, and was again met with silence.

Jake bent, slipped the knife from his boot sheath and lifted an eyebrow in silent inquiry.

Gray rolled his eyes, looked up and down the hallway and nodded.

It took only seconds for Jake to open the door.

“You know, Morrissey, even cops can get busted for breaking and entering,” Gray said as they walked into the small apartment.

“No one will ever know,” Jake promised.

“No one except you—and you’ll probably blackmail me.” Gun drawn, Gray moved swiftly across the unit and cleared the bathroom. “Nothing here. In fact, this place doesn’t look like anyone lives here.”

“Not in the living room. But the bedroom sure as hell does.”

“What’s in there?” Gray strode to the doorway of the bedroom and stopped abruptly. All four walls were covered with maps, sheets of closely printed notes and blown-up photographs. Some of the photos were of a young man in a Marine uniform, smiling proudly. One wall held pictures of Jake, both alone and with Chloe. What surprised Gray were several photographs of Chloe’s grandmother.

He stepped inside the room, registering the desk pushed against the far wall, and the computer, monitor and printer atop the dust-free surface. No papers were stacked on the desk, no clutter of pens or paper clips were strewn across the polished wood.

Jake’s phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he flicked it on. “Hi, Chloe. What’s up? Chloe?”

Gray turned from his study of one of the maps to look at him.

Jake stopped talking. “What the hell?” He listened for a second, then covered the mouthpiece with his fingers and jerked his head toward the door.

“What’s going on?” Gray followed him into the hall and closed the door.

“Chloe’s phone is on and I can hear her talking to a man. I think it might be Dodd.”

“Shit.”

They ran down the stairs, through the lobby and outside. Jake fished in his pocket for his keys and tossed them to Gray. “You drive. I’ll keep the line open.”

“Where is she?” Gray turned on the ignition and shifted the car into gear.

“Liberty Hall.”

Please, Jake, answer your phone. If he didn’t pick up, the call would be switched to the automated answering service.

“We’re going for a walk. You will remove the tape from your grandmother’s mouth and place the scarf over her hands.” He gestured with his gun at the crumpled gold silk on the floor at Winifred’s feet.

Winifred’s gaze, steady and strong, held Chloe’s as she carefully pried loose the tape. The skin beneath was reddened and she winced as the tape came loose.

“Sorry, Gran,” Chloe murmured.

“Not your fault.” Winifred shifted her gaze to George Dodd when Chloe bent to pick up the scrap of silk. “Where are you taking us, Mr. Dodd?”

“To the Bell Tower.” He smiled and Chloe’s skin prickled with warning. There was no humor in his smile. “I’ve arranged a place for you there.”

Chloe glanced at Winifred as she carefully wrapped the gold silk around her wrists, concealing the connected loops made of small ties, the kind that came with garbage bags. They effectively bound her hands together. Her grandmother shook her head, a slight, nearly imperceptible movement. Chloe narrowed her eyes to acknowledge the message that she should bide her time, then stepped to the side, facing their captor.

Dodd noted the scarf. “Very good. Chloe, you will walk ahead of us while your grandmother walks with me. Any attempt on your part to summon help will result in my having to shoot her. We’ll take the South Annex stairway up to the Bell Tower.” He gestured Chloe forward.

She crossed to the door and opened it.

“Remember, not a word or your grandmother dies.”

Chloe nodded. “You want me to walk ahead of you all the way to the Liberty Hall Bell Tower?” she asked, speaking more loudly than usual.