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“How many times do I have to… Never mind. Sorry for my friend, Chloe,” Hayes said.
“He’s cute, so he’s forgiven.” Chloe pulled her weapon from an ankle holster and checked the chamber. “Since none of them would know me, I’ll go meander down by the docks. You boys take cover behind that building over there.” She pointed. “Have Dawson meet you there. We’ll text in five to ten with a plan.”
“How about I just go walking up to the boat?” Keaton said. “That’s a plan.”
“Might be what we go with, but for now, let’s keep watching.” Chloe jumped to her feet. She held Hayes’s gaze for a moment.
That moment wasn’t lost on Keaton or Fletcher.
“Be safe.” She squeezed Hayes’s biceps.
“You, too.” He nodded, raising his hand, but before it landed on anything, he dropped it to the side.
“Looks like Fenton is on the move. Let’s roll.” Keaton wasn’t sure he could wait ten minutes. They didn’t know if Trinity was on that boat, but Mallary was, and that was a start.
Keaton paced behindone of the storage buildings in the marina with Hayes, Dawson, and Fletcher. His heart pounded in his ears. “What the hell is taking so long?”
“Chloe didn’t want to risk anyone on that boat having a visual of her and Fenton together.” Dawson stuffed his hands in his pockets. “She made contact and said he should be driving by in less than a minute. The plan is for him to make the turn around this building and park over there, which is out of sight from the docks.”
“Unless he keeps going because he’s guilty as sin,” Keaton mumbled.
Dawson shook his head. “Chloe says he wants to talk. She texted and said he looked scared shitless.”
Fenton’s car took the corner. He pulled into a parking spot, bolted from the driver’s seat, and raced toward them, panting.
Keaton took two steps, but Fletcher grabbed him by the forearm, yanking him back. “Let Dawson handle this.”
“Would you be standing down if it were Baily who was missing?” Keaton turned and glared.
“You’re running way too hot, and the last thing we need is for you to sucker punch him.” Hayes placed agentle hand on Keaton’s shoulder. “We need you to be calm.”
Keaton took in a long, slow breath and nodded.
“Care to explain why you’re here?” Dawson asked as Fenton approached. “Is there something you didn’t tell me this morning when I questioned you?”
“Yes and no.” Fenton wiped his brow. His face dripped with perspiration, and it wasn’t even that hot out. “I suspected a couple of things but wasn’t completely sure. Now I am.”
“That’s called obstruction of justice, and it’s an arrestable offense,” Dawson said.
“Then arrest me, but you’ll be wasting valuable time.” Fenton raised his hand and pointed toward the docks with a shaky finger. “Mallary is alive, and she needs help.”
Keaton stole a glance toward Dawson, who shook his head. “How long have you known she wasn’t missing or dead?” Keaton asked.
“She texted me a couple of days after she went missing,” Fenton admitted. “I was gobsmacked. She’s being held captive for ransom, but Trinity wouldn’t give up the jewels.”
“No one ever contacted Trinity, or the police for that matter,” Dawson said, planting his hands on his hips. “Why didn’t you come to me when she reached out?”
“She told me her life was in danger, and then the next day, I got an alarming message from some man who said they were going to kill Mallary if I didn’t do what they asked.”
“And what was that?” Dawson asked calmly.
“Find out where Trinity was and who was staying with her. I gave them that information.” Fenton wiped his hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry. I had no idea they would set Keaton’s home on fire and kidnap Trinity, but Mallary’s life is also in danger, and you have to help her.”
“Is Trinity on that boat?” Keaton clenched his fists at his sides.
“I don’t know. I saw a man standing guard with a gun, and then that FBI agent sidetracked me.” Fenton blew out a puff of air. “I’m glad you’re here. You have to help Mallary.”
“How did you know to come here and that Mallary was on that boat?”