Page 112 of Fatal Mistake
Washington, D.C.
Cal paced behind Kaci, his heart racing as fast as his mind.
Max stepped over to join them. “My Customs contact e-mailed a list of import companies. We can compare it with Kaci’s research.”
“No need.” Kaci shot to her feet and handed Cal a slip of paper.
“‘Unique India Arts,’” he read, and recognized the address as being near Dulles Airport. “Is this the company?”
Kaci nodded. “I’m ninety-nine percent certain. The address I gave you is an industrial park where they lease warehouse space.”
“Make that one hundred percent,” Max said, looking at his phone. “The company is on the Customs list.”
Cal’s excitement had his hands trembling. “We need a warrant and blueprints to raid the place.”
“I’ll handle that,” Max offered as he jogged to the door.
“I’ll print satellite photos.” Kaci sat behind her computer.
“Shane and I can gather our gear for a building breach,” Rick said.
“Oh, yeah,” Shane replied, already on his way to the door.
Cal’s phone chimed. Hoping the text was from the bomb tech, Cal glanced at the screen. “It’s from an unknown number.”
“It could be from Tara,” Kaci replied without looking up from her computer.
Cal navigated to his messages and found a picture message. Cal tapped on the image and it popped up, revealing Tara sitting at a desk, one of Keeler’s bombs circling her neck.
Blood rushed from Cal’s head, and his knees buckled. He grabbed on to Kaci’s chair and took deep breaths to keep from losing all control. Nothing had ever sent him spinning like this. Nothing.
Protect her. Please protect her, he begged.
Kaci peered up at him. “What’s wrong?”
Unable to voice the horror racing through his body, he held out the picture.
Kaci gasped. “I’m sorry, Cal.”
He didn’t want her sympathy. He wanted a way to find Tara. “Can you track this text?”
“Give me the phone, and I’ll try.”
Cal handed it over and fought down his paralyzing fear.
Kaci’s fingers flew over her keyboard, and then she glanced up. “The number is one of the ones listed on Meer’s phone. I’ve already tracked those numbers. It’s unregistered, and we won’t locate additional information.”
Cal’s gut tightened. “This at least confirms Keeler has Tara.”
Kaci handed the phone back to him. “You think the picture was sent to taunt you?”
“Keeler’s sick and sadistic like that, so I guess that could be his reason.”
“On the bright side,” Kaci said, “Tara appears unharmed in the photo.”
“True.” Cal’s phone dinged. “Another text from the same number. This one has a message.”
Cal read it aloud. “‘Free Nabijah and I will let Tara live.’”
