Search Me(54)

With a playful nudge, I said, “Yeah, you just go on and get the tools. Oh, and get my clothes out of the dryer.”

“Your clothes are already here.” Maddox pointed to where my jeans and shirt were draped across a kitchen chair.

“Oh, I didn’t know you brought them up.”

Maddox scratched the back of his neck. “I didn’t.”

“What?”

He shrugged. “I guess West did.”

I gasped. “You mean he saw us…you know?”

Maddox swept his hand over his mouth while his eyes widened in mock horror. “Oh no. He saw us…sleeping in bed! How shocking!”

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my clothes and started for the bathroom. “You’re impossible.”

After taking another record-breaking shower, I dressed and then dried my hair with an ancient hair dryer I found under the sink. I came out to find Maddox had grabbed us some biscuits and juice. “You get the tools?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t find West around anywhere, so I just left him a note saying I’d bring them back,” he replied, through a mouthful of food.

We were then interrupted by the sound of my phone going off. I glanced down at the ID and winced. “Shit, it’s my dad.”

Even Maddox made a face. “You better answer it.”

My hand trembled slightly as I quickly brought the phone to my ear. “Okay, look, I know I’m in a lot of trouble but—”

“Yes, I do believe that summation is true, Miss Montgomery,” a harsh voice replied.

“Oh God.”

Icy fear crashed from the top of my head and ran down my body, sending me shaking. It only took a second to recognize who it was.

“From the tone of your voice, I assume you know who this is.”

“Jensen,” I murmured.

Chapter Sixteen

At the sound of Jensen’s name, Maddox dropped the juice in his hands, sending it cascading over the worn linoleum. A mixture of fear and fury flashed on his face.

“I knew you were a very perceptive girl.”

“But how…how do you have my father’s phone?”

“Good question. After our little map mishap, I decided it would be better to pay your father a visit, rather than running all over the countryside after you and Mr. Diaz. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it to his next tour stop—I hate to be the cause of disappointed fans. It’s quite ironic when I made the connection between you and Stephen Montgomery. You see, I read all of his books during my unfortunate incarceration. He’s a damn good writer, and he had quite the following with inmates.”

I gasped as the world around me tilted and spun. My hand flew to my forehead to try to still the spinning. “Y-You k-kidnapped… my dad?”

“I’m afraid so.”

Tears stung my eyes, and my legs wobbled, threatening to crumple beneath me. Just before I thought I would break in two, Maddox grabbed me and held me upright. “Why?” I demanded feebly.

“I just told you Miss Montgomery. Because now that I’ve had time to think and reflect since our last time together, I realize every plan needs tweaking, especially after your little tussle with my men at New Echota. Once my associate, Terrence, persuaded Dr. Bretsky to give him the map’s translation, I realized how much work decoding would entail. I also realized that you and Mr. Diaz would be slaving away at the decoding. It just seemed to make more sense to have you do all the hard work. Detaining your father was merely a bargaining tool to make sure you did as I asked.”

I summoned what strength I had left to scream into the phone, “I want to speak to my father!”

“I’m afraid he can’t come to the phone right now. He’s a little tied up.”

“What have you done to him? And where’s my mom?” I demanded.

“I let Mommy catch a break and just took your father. I’m sure she’s wondering why he hasn’t come back from his stop at the bookstore.”

“What have you done to my dad you—you psychotic ex-convict?”

“Now don’t get so upset. I’ve only detained him so far. After all, I didn’t spend time in prison for murder, Miss Montgomery.”

“Yeah but what about Maudie?”

Jensen growled at the mention of her name. “I had to take care of Mrs. Sinclair because she got in my way.”

I gasped. “And my dad…is he in your way?”

“Anything else that happens to him will depend on you and that friend of yours.”

Tears flowed down my cheeks, and I fought to keep from losing it. “Please don’t hurt him! He has nothing to do with any of this. I swear.”

Jensen ignored my plea. “Do me a favor and put me on speaker phone. I want to talk to both you and Mr. Diaz.”

My fingers trembled as I brought the phone away from my ear and hit the button. “Okay, he’s listening too."

“Good. I’m sure you are both going to do exactly what I ask. Then nothing will happen to Darling Daddy.”

“But how did you even know where to find Lane’s dad?” Maddox asked.

“An associate of mine, who knows his way around computers, happened to owe me a favor or two.”

“An associate like a buddy from prison or something?” I asked.