Page 35 of Fearless

“Exactly,” Ash agreed.

“What do you think they did?” Jazz asked softly.

“What do you mean?” Ash asked.

Holding Jazz’s hand, Xavier explained quietly, “She wouldn’t have given up this information without coercion.”

“I’m holding on to two positive points. Serena went through a SERE refresher last year and aced it,” Ash said, referring to the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training they were all required to take. “And second, her number one priority with this idea was to create a way to warn those she cares about that they were in danger and she had been abducted. She likely gave up this intel with very little persuasion so everyone could be alerted.”

The relief that went throughout the room was palpable, though it was followed by another concern.

Eve addressed it with a worried frown. “Question is, what will they do to her when they realize the intel she’s given them is mostly fiction?”

“I don’t know,” Ash said. “I’m hoping they realize that she’s too valuable to them to harm. It’ll take a lot for them to trust her, I’m sure.”

“Should’ve asked earlier,” Liam said, “but I’m assuming her tracking chip isn’t communicating?”

“No. They apparently removed the chip. We traced her last location to an old airstrip just a few miles from Bozeman. There are no cameras in the area. Her phone last pinged on Arrow Creek Road. There’s often a dead spot in that area for about a quarter mile. I’m betting she was taken there, driven to the airstrip, and flown out of there.

“I drove by Arrow Creek on the way in from my house. Her car isn’t there. Snowfall has been heavy, so whatever evidence there might have been has been compromised. I didn’t see anything that looked remotely suspicious.”

“Doesn’t her car have GPS?”

“Yes. It’s been disabled.”

“Looks like they thought of everything,” Liam said grimly.

“So how did they find her?” Hawke asked.

“That’s one of the things we’re going to find out.” Ash turned to Eve and Gideon. “I want you two to interview Serena’s techs. She vetted them all and has total trust in them, but since they have knowledge of her personal habits, they could be suspects.

“Once you’ve done that, I want you to identify someone to run point for us. We’ve relied on Serena to perform miracles for us, and now it’s our turn. We’re going to need an expert tech for that.”

After they’d both nodded their agreement, Ash said, “Xavier and Jazz, go to Serena’s house and see if there’s anything off there. Her home is one of the best hidden places I’ve seen. It’s one of the reasons I believe she was taken before she got home, but I’m not going to assume anything. Once you’re finished, give Arrow Creek a more thorough search in case I missed something.”

He drew in a breath and added, “And, Jazz, reach out to your brother. See if he has any intel on this.”

Jazz gave a little grimace but nodded in agreement. He knew reaching Brody McAlister was a long shot. The man was excellent at staying invisible. But as one of WP’s assassins, he might have an inroad they could use. They needed all the help they could get.

“I’ll do my best,” Jazz said.

“What about Kate?” Jules asked.

“I sent her a text,” Ash admitted. “Didn’t tell her about Serena. Just told her things were happening and to be vigilant.” His eyes swept the room. “We’re all at risk—even more than before. That’s why I’ve asked Rose to prepare all the rooms. Until this is over and we find Serena, I want all of you, including your spouses and children, to stay here.”

Anticipating a protest, he raised a hand to stop them as he continued, “Rose has created a playroom for the children. They’ll be safer here together.”

“As soon as I leave here,” Liam said, “I’ll go home and grab Aubrey and Lily. And since she’ll be here, I know she’ll be more than happy to help with the research.”

“Excellent,” Ash said. Aubrey was an award-winning documentary maker. Thanks to her investigations, she had exposed several human trafficking cells and saved numerous victims.

“I just texted Livvy,” Hawke said. “McCall is letting her use one of the Last Chance Rescue jets to bring her and Nikki here. He’s also offered LCR personnel if we need it.”

“Good to know,” Ash said. “I’ll give McCall a call. With his expertise in finding missing people, we could use all the insight and advice we can get.”

He took in the group again. His next words would be controversial and might not be taken well, but they had to be said.

“Now, I need to know this, and it doesn’t matter if you pinkie-swore, promised your firstborn, or made a blood-brother pact. Do any of you know where Sean might be staying? Everyone Serena loves is covered with the exception of Sean. So, if you have the slightest idea where he might be, I need to know.”