Page 98 of Cold Light of Day

He chuckled. “You know the old joke—you should see the other guy.”

She gasped. “Is he—”

“Tied up. I had to get the advantage to come and save your hide, but it looks like you took care of yourself. Or at least had some help.”

Nolan, Hank, Sandford, and Otis started talking at the same time, asking questions and sharing as if they were on the adventure of a lifetime.

Grier watched Autumn, who suddenly glanced at her cell. She stared down at the screen.

“What is it?” he asked.

“A text from the same unknown—” She gasped and covered her mouth.

“Autumn, what is it?” He peered at the cell in her hands.

Mateo and another man are holding your mother and me, Sarah, hostage. Bring the USB drive—fifteen minutes.

Grier cursed the day they intercepted that money-laundering scheme.

THIRTY-NINE

Fifteen minutes?” Autumn stared at the cell. “And mymother?”

Her outburst caught Nolan’s attention. “What’s going on?”

She showed him the text. “Mom—if this can be believed—she’s here and being held for that stupid cold wallet. I mean, it’s a USB drive, let’s just call it that.”

“And we don’t have any time to think or talk about it,” Grier said.

“Hank, you and the guys go back to your cabin.” Autumn talked to them like she was still chief. What was she doing?

“We can help.”

“I’ll contact you if we need you,” Nolan said.

Hank nodded and waved for Sandford and Otis to follow him. The dogs trailed them.

Autumn was glad they didn’t have to spend time convincing them to go home. Now for the other two...

“Grier, you’re with me. Nolan, stay here and call your fellow troopers. Contact the local PD and get these bodies taken care of, your tied-up guy arrested.”

“For someone who isn’t officially the police chief, you sure are bossy. I’ll make the calls on the way. I’m going with you.”

“Where are we supposed to meet them?” Grier asked.

“The airstrip. I’m not sure we can even make it, so let’s move it!”

Autumn snatched the USB drive out of Grier’s hand and started down the hill, half sliding, half running.

“Wait. We need to think about this. Plan something,” Grier called after her.

He and Nolan followed.

“No time to plan.” No time to argue.

She slid down the last incline, falling on her backside, then scrambled back to her feet and dashed to the truck. Nolan and Grier emerged from the woods. Another vehicle sat there waiting for someone who would never arrive to drive it away.

“Wait up! You can’t just go barging in there.” Grier rushed forward and yanked the USB drive from her. “I need to be the one to deliver it. Me and me alone. They’re not getting you.”