Page 41 of Going Down Hard
“The guy didn’t check all the buildings?”
“Didn’t see a reason too. There was nothing to indicate recent activity.”
Damn sleepy little towns and their lack of urgency. Stone had to admit that thought was unfair, even in a big city the police might not have investigated further, under those circumstances. Soph hadn’t been missing when the call came in, and they’d deliberately kept the local authorities in the dark about her stalker.
“Then let’s get out there and take a closer look,” Stone demanded.
“We already did.”
“You went without telling me?” Ford asked.
“No offense, Mr. Moreland, but in spite of your skills and your company’s employment as Sophie Collins’s personal protection, you have no authority here. This is a potential kidnapping, which is a crime our department takes seriously. I personally led the search undertaken not an hour ago. There was no sign of Ms. Collins or her possible abductor.”
“I understand your position, and I’ll respect that wemighthave overstepped a few lines by being here without your knowledge. But this concerns two Australian citizens, one of whom is a criminalwithoutthe added charge of abduction. With the skills my men collectively have, I’m sure you can see why combining our resources would be in the best interests of all. Particularly in regard to the safe return of Sophie Collins,” Ford challenged.
Stone stood back and let his boss debate the merits of joining forces with the local cops. He definitely couldn’t be diplomatic about things in his current mental state of raw panic, and he couldn’t risk being shut out of the search altogether—which Ford had threatened to do again after he’d punched Jack in the gut.
Another local policeman rushed into the room and headed straight for the one now in a heated discussion with Ford. “Scott.” The newcomer addressed his colleague but glanced in Stone’s direction.
Hansen turned. “Ed. What have you got?”
“We’ve had a report of a man walking down the highway.”
“And this is of interest in the disappearance of Sophie Collins?” Hansen asked with a frown.
Ed’s mouth tipped up in a grin. “He’s beingforcedto walk toward town by a woman wielding a gun, according to the witness who called it in.”
“A gun?”
Ed nodded. “And he’s naked.”
Jack snorted behind him and Stone didn’t bother to hide his own smile as he asked, “What’s the woman with the gun wearing?”
“Her clothing matches the description of what Sophie Collins was wearing when she disappeared.”
“Have we got a car headed out there?” Scott asked.
“We have one on scene now. She refused assistance. In fact, she threatened to shoot Harley if he tried to arrest her ‘prisoner’.”
Stone couldn’t hold back a chuckle and Jack was outright laughing now.
“Wait,” Ford interrupted. “Are you actually saying Sophie Collins managed to get free and has in fact taken her stalkerhostageand is in the process of bringing him into town?”
“Yes, sir. Although she refused to give her name to Harley, the woman matches the photo we circulated; he has no doubt the two people walking in front of his cruiser are Sophie Collins and Henry George Hagar,” Ed answered.
“This I have to see.” Ford headed for the door.
Stone stopped Ed when he turned to follow the others. “Is Soph okay?” he asked.
“Physically? I think so. Harley said other than being dirty and stubborn, she appeared in good health, which is why I told him to back off and follow,” Ed explained.
Relief flowed through him. If she was able to argue, Hagar couldn’t have hurt her badly. “How far out are they?”
“Harley said five minutes, max. Ms. Collins is making her kidnapper walk fast.”
“And she doesn’t want him cuffed and in the car?”
“Oh no, he’s cuffed. But she refuses to allow him the luxury of hiding in a car. Said something about needing to teach him a lesson in vulnerability and exposure.”
