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“And which girl were you to grab?”
“They gave us a photo of her. It’s in my shirt pocket.”
Reaching into the man’s pocket, Xavier pulled out a photograph of Jazz. It was a still shot from the video of when they’d been at the restaurant the night Bass was shot. This confirmed everyone’s thinking that someone had recognized Jazz in that video online and set all of this into motion.
“What were you supposed to do with her?”
“Take her to a secure location.”
“And that would be where?”
“I don’t know.”
“Wrong answer.” He looked behind him, and all ten men, their weapons raised, stepped forward.
“Killing me won’t help get you answers.”
“Who said anything about killing? These men know exactly where to shoot to cause maximum pain without death. Not gonna lie—ten bullets, along with the holes in your shoulder and knee, are going to hurt.”
Sweat flew everywhere as the soldier gave a vigorous shake of his head. “But I’m telling you the truth, man. I don’t know where we were supposed to take her. After we grabbed and secured her, we were to call the guy in charge. He was going to tell us then where to take her.”
“Who’s the guy in charge?”
“I don’t know, I swear. Only one man among us knew, and he’s dead.” A small smirk played at his mouth. “Guess you’re screwed.”
It took every bit of self-control, plus a hand wrapped around his arm, to keep Xavier from smashing the bastard’s face to a pulp.
“Careful, son,” Ed said. “It’d be easier on him if you killed him. That’s what he wants. Don’t fall for it.”
Grinding his teeth, Xavier nodded, knowing the older man was right.
“You got anything else to say?” Xavier asked.
“No.”
“Very well.”
Turning, he looked at the men who appeared even more ravenous than before. If this guy knew anything, he’d be spitting it out soon.
“Guys, he’s all yours.”
“What? Wait! I told you what I know!” he screamed.
Looking over his shoulder at the horrified man, Xavier gave him a similar smirk. “I don’t believe you. So I guess you’re screwed.”
Striding toward the house, he held his breath, hoping to hear something, anything that could help them find this bastard. He heard the guy scrambling back as the armed men advanced. Finally, just as Xavier’s foot landed on the first porch step, the man shouted, “I know the number we were supposed to call!”
Xavier closed his eyes on a thankful prayer and strode back. “What were you supposed to say?”
“I don’t know. I just saw the guy in charge call a number. I’m good at remembering, so I watched him punch it in.”
They could play this out and, at the very least, get a location of where the soldiers were expected to drop her off. The OZ team could meet Xavier and Jazz there, and they could have another showdown.
Xavier stared down at the man on the ground, trying to determine if he was telling the truth or just spouting things that he hoped would save his skin.
“You do realize that if you’re trying to set us up, you’re going to be in a world of pain?”
“Listen, I’m just a guy who does this stuff for money. I have no agenda, no loyalty.”