Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers #1)(86)

“Yep.” Norton shook his head. “I tried to keep you and Zara out of this, but the diary never showed up. You took care of the guys I sent to fetch her, and you’ve left me few options. I’ve searched her house several times, so it must be at your place. Right?”

The package that Zara had received. The one in his glove box. “Yep.” Ryker calculated the odds of getting loose without getting shot, and they sucked. His body vibrated from a rush of adrenaline. “We picked up a bunch of Zara’s mail, and a nice small package was included. She probably hasn’t even opened it yet. I think it’s on my desk.”

“Good.” Norton took another turn.

Ryker fought the urge to kick the back of the detective’s seat. “Did you mess with the brakes on Zara’s car?”

Norton frowned. “Yes. Thought she saw me with Julie, and when I started investigating, I discovered she hadn’t.”

Anger roared through Ryker so quickly he did kick the back of the seat. “I’m going to fucking rip off your head and reach down to rip out your lungs.”

Norton winced. “She was fine, right? God. No offense, but you should probably worry about yourself right now.”

Oh, the cop had no clue who he’d just pissed off. “You’re a dead man,” Ryker spat.

Norton turned right. “If you say so. Where’s your office?”

Ryker gave the directions. He’d have backup at the office.

Norton went in the opposite direction.

“What the hell?” Ryker asked.

Norton flashed a smile and grabbed his phone.

Zara stomped snow from her boots just inside the garage. Arrested. She’d actually been arrested. There would be a trial. “I just don’t understand who would plant that knife,” she stuttered. Again.

Heath pushed out of his coat. Anger vibrated around him and had since he’d heard that the airport was still closed. “We’ll figure it out. I promise.”

Zara’s phone dinged, and she lifted it to her ear. “Hello?”

“Ms. Remington? This is Detective Norton. Don’t say a word and don’t let anybody know who I am.”

She blinked. “Um, all right.” What in the world?

“I have your boyfriend cuffed in the back of my car, and I’m planning to put a bullet in his head unless you do exactly as I say,” the detective said slowly and clearly.

Zara stopped breathing. Her lungs hitched. “Wh-what?”

Heath turned around, his gaze intense.

“You heard me. I’ll let him go if you get me the package from Julie,” Norton said.

Zara’s mind scrambled facts into place. “Wait— You were seeing her? You’re the guy.” Shock coated her throat, with fear following. The cop had killed Julie, and now he had Ryker? Oh God, Ryker. She partially bent over to keep from passing out.

“You have twenty minutes to bring the package to me at your house. If you’re not here, or if you bring anybody with you, I’ll blow a hole in your man’s forehead.” While Norton sounded calm, a thread of pure panic had lifted his tone.

“Okay,” Zara said, her stomach cramping. “I’ll be there.” She clicked off, looking wildly around.

“What?” Heath asked, appearing big and broad.

Norton had said to come alone and not tell anybody, but that would get Ryker and probably her killed. She was smarter than that, damn it. Heath was probably as well trained as Ryker, and she needed his help. “Detective Norton has Ryker and said he’d shoot him if I don’t bring a package to him. He was the guy seeing Julie.” The words had burst out of her. If she was going to save Ryker, she definitely needed help. “He said he’d kill Ryker if I told anybody or brought anybody with me.”

Heath’s face hardened and he was quiet for two seconds, no doubt calming himself the same way Ryker did. “Do you have a package?”

She shook her head, panic swarming through her. “I think there was one in my mail that I picked up this morning, but it’s in Ryker’s truck. In the glove box.”

“Okay.” Heath grabbed both her arms. “Take a deep breath and relax. Norton thinks we have something he needs, and he won’t hurt Ryker until he gets it. You find a package or envelope around here that’s about the same size, and I’ll go grab Denver. Okay? Can you do that?”

She nodded.

“Good. I’ll be right back.” Heath turned on his heel and ran up the stairs.

She sucked in air and scrambled up to Ryker’s office, where she found a large padded envelope that kind of looked like the one she remembered. Quickly, she stuffed a book inside just as Heath and Denver ran from one of their offices.

“What’s going on?” Denver asked.

Heath quickly brought him up to speed and gave the lowdown on a plan he’d already put together. “I’ll take the package to the front door and Denver will come in the back. We’ll hit him from different directions.”

Zara held up a hand. “No. I have to go in the front. He’ll be waiting for me.” If he didn’t see her, he just might cut his losses and shoot Ryker before running. “If he sees me on the front step, then you two will have time to get into the place. It’s the only way. He’s a cop and he’s trained.”

Denver shook his head.