Page 39 of Deadly Revenge
Maya set her phone back down, feeling uneasy. She hoped Abigail didn’t have some sort of booby trap set up. This was all too simple. There was no way Abigail would go down this quietly. She thought about getting Juniper out and geared up just in case Abigail took off on foot. Then they’d be ready. But she also knew she needed to let the HRT respond and do their job.
Nick had stepped out of his vehicle. Aaron appeared to be texting someone. Maya once again wondered what the odds were that Aaron was involved. Why had he come along to Colorado to look for Hope? Nick had mentioned Aaron had offered to help, but had Nick also asked him? She needed to find out more. Maybe there was a way for Kessler to get Aaron’s phone records and see who he was contacting. Maybe it was part of his lady troubles, as Nick put it, and maybe that lady happened to be on the run with a kidnapped kid.
Nick stepped up near Maya’s open window. Juniper was now awake and she let a growl rumble through her throat.
“It’s okay, girly,” Maya said, trying to reassure herself as well as Juniper. But was it okay? Juniper seemed uneasy around Nick and Aaron. Granted, she was in the patrol vehicle and working to protect Maya, but still...
“I heard the team come in,” Nick said after introducing himself to Parker. “Any update?”
“Not that I’ve heard,” Maya said. Then she couldn’t help herself. She was too suspicious. “What’s Aaron doing?”
“Oh, texting his girlfriend. The one I was telling you about. Like any of us can have relationships in this job,” Nick said.
“Hey,” Parker said. “I’ve been happily married for ten years.”
“That’s good. Maybe the problem is me,” Nick said.
Maya couldn’t tell if he was joking or not. He had one heck of a poker face. Of course, being in law enforcement could do that to you. Juniper let out a low whine in excitement. Maya turned her attention back to the motel. The team was coming around the corner, lining up in a stack, ready to make entry. Juniper knew what they were doing and wanted to be there with them.
“Don’t worry, girly,” Maya said. “I’m sure you’ll get a chance to do some more work.”
The lead guy had a battering ram and smashed in the front door. The team unfolded in perfect formation, their skills showing as they made entry. Maya realized she was holding her breath. Nick and Sergeant Parker were also watching intently.
There was nothing. No yelling. No shots. Nothing.
The men started coming back out, their body language saying no one was in the room.
“Damn it,” Maya muttered. Maybe Juniper could be used to at least do a short track and figure out where Abigail had gone. “I knew it.”
“Knew what?” Nick asked.
“Abigail. Someone tipped her off or something. She’s too smart and has a lot of experience, including standard operating procedures like how the HRT guys line up. If she was in that room and knew they were making entry, she would have shot half of them through the wall knowing where they would be,” Maya said, frustration brewing.
Stay calm. This is what Abigail wants. Use her weakness against her.
Kessler approached wearing a bulletproof vest with FBI on the back. He turned in Maya’s direction and waved her over. Juniper started doing her tap dance, wanting to come along.
“Stay here for now. Don’t worry, I’ll come get you. I’m sure we’ll need you,” Maya said. She stepped out of her vehicle and crossed the road, Nick and Sergeant Parker walking with her. As she approached Kessler, Maya could see that his face was tight and drawn, lips pursed.
“I know no one was in the room,” Maya said. “But what else is going on?”
“This.” Kessler showed Maya a note in an evidence bag and an email he received with a picture of Hope.
Hope was tied up, her eyes wide and hair pulled back in a braid. She had on different clothing from the picture Maya saw of her earlier. The girl appeared terrified. Nick muttered some choice words under his breath including how he was going to make Abigail pay.You and me both...
The note was short and to the point.
Here’s your proof of life. Come and get her, Thompson. Save your niece before it’s too late.
“She’s targeting you,” Nick said.
“That’s an understatement,” Maya answered.
“She really hates you this much?”
“She does. And she hated my mother. And our father. She wants revenge and she’s lost her mind. Bad combo. Any idea of where they went?” Maya asked, turning toward Kessler.
“We’re working on that,” he answered. “It appears she did go out the side window. Probably saw Sergeant Parker at some point or something.”
