Page 17

Chapter Seventeen

Miles worked around the clock through the weekend. When he needed breaks, he sought out Molly and Bryce and on Sunday afternoon he invited them to hang out with him at the marina. He knew they were being watched, though he had yet to spot the bastard. It wasn’t easy, but he ignored everything but the two people who meant the world to him.

If Molly suspected anything, she was either excellent at hiding it, or her fear of the water overwhelmed everything else. Despite her fears and his teasing, she was the only woman he wanted. The only woman he could see himself with in the long run. And though he was still sore and his mind was working on resolving her problems, he did everything he could to show her his forever-level intentions.

Not easy to hold back the words, but he was sure any brave declarations would be better received once she was free and clear of the custody situation and the bastard scamming her.

He didn’t have the proof she needed. Yet. But he would soon.

By Tuesday morning he was sure he had everything in order. He’d found the truck that hit her and he had a good idea how the bastard who’d driven that truck and manipulated photos of Bryce was evading detection.

His searches, all the digging, was a big risk. Huge. And though he’d reworked the plan time and again, he had to admit he couldn’t pull it off without Knox’s help. Better if he could get Jess and Chief Caldwell on board too. And that was the looming unknown.

Caldwell might just tell him to go to hell and take his heroic efforts elsewhere. The man was damned protective of this town. Although Miles appreciated the man’s dedication, Molly needed a specific, concentrated protective effort to end this emotional onslaught before the bastard raised the stakes.

She was caught up in a sick scheme and the sooner they brought it to a head, the better.

When Knox and Jess walked into the sailing school to meet Miles, they wore equally dubious expressions. He had a fresh pot of coffee waiting and as soon as Caldwell arrived, Miles flipped the sign on the door to “closed” and threw the lock.

“Thank you all for coming.”

The chief eyed the locked door. “I already don’t like this.”

“Well you’re going to like it even less in a minute, but I need your help. All of you,” Miles began. “I’ve been digging into recent events. Molly’s wreck. The vandalism. The photos of Bryce.” He looked at the chief. “That poor install on the car seat was rigged.”

Caldwell shook his head. “People make that mistake all the time.”

“Not Molly,” Miles argued. “I went out and looked at the car. Someone made sure that booster seat would slip.”

“When?” Knox demanded.

Miles rolled his eyes. “Dare I say when you weren’t looking? ”

“I’m always looking,” Knox grumbled. He glanced at Jess. “If he slipped away, it was at his own risk.”

“I’m aware.” Jess folded her arms and stared hard at Miles. “You have a plan in mind. Likely one you’re going to pull off with or without us.”

“It has a better chance of success with y’all on board.” He cleared his throat. Things were about to get dicey. “I’ve been digging. For names, connections, motives. Tech is my super power remember?”

Caldwell pulled one of the stools from the counter and made himself comfortable. “I remember your security cameras didn’t give us a lot to go on.”

“Fair enough. I didn’t find much there either. But being sidelined to get over that beating left me plenty of time to sort this out. I did a deep dive into the custody challenge that put all this in motion. And I spoke with her attorney.”

“You’re serious?” Jess swore. “Overstep much? You think someone targeted her in that car accident?”

“Absolutely I do, and the car seat was the bastard’s first mistake.”

“Lieutenant Frasier had to write her a ticket,” Caldwell defended his officer.

“Yep. He sure did. And that stressed her out, adding another layer of pressure that was later compounded by those photos.”

“We all know the pictures were bogus,” Caldwell said. “Every person in Brookwell would have testified on her behalf if that had wound up in the judge’s hands.”

“Assuming they would’ve had the chance,” Miles said. “Still, it looks bad. Tilts things in favor of the grandparents.” He paused. This could be tricky. “Hear me out. I expect any day now, Molly’s going to get more than pictures. This jerk is going to blackmail her. ”

Knox dragged a hand over his face. “What did you do?”

“Didn’t bother to hide my tracks.”

Knox shoved up out of his chair to pace. “You’ve exposed yourself. You idiot! This could easily blow up in your face. Then what? What good are you to Molly when you’re dead?”

Miles swallowed. “That’s why I invited all of you.” Crap . So far, none of them were on board and they were all as mad as Knox. “Hear me out,” he repeated. “When this bastard tries to blackmail Molly, I’ll make a scene about taking her away. We’ll pack up and leave from the marina. Then, when he’s forced to make a move, you can arrest him.”

“Miles,” Knox warned. “If you’re wrong about the connections… this will go south fast.”

Miles jerked his chin. It was possible. “I’m not. We’ve got no intel that contradicts my theory and nothing in my search either.”

“Back up.” Caldwell raised a hand. “Expose yourself to who? What fresh hell are you bringing to the island?”

“The Vedras crime family,” Jess explained. “Miles was undercover planting seeds that the government eventually used to break up a significant money laundering scam. Among other crimes. Miles is a hero.”

“With a target on his back,” Knox grumbled.

“Maybe,” Jess allowed. “But he’s right. So far there’s zero chatter that they’ve found his real name and current location.”

“Good Lord,” Caldwell snapped. “Y’all are gonna have the mafia traipsing around here next.”

Miles ignored that. It wasn’t today’s issue. “Chuck Clinton is who you’re after.” He used his tablet to bring up the photo and information he’d gathered. “He put all this in motion, starting in Tampa. He’s still in the area. He got his P.I. license in Florida and it’s currently suspended. From what I can tell, he went to the Graingers, stomped all over their grief and convinced them their only grandson needed them. To date, they’ve paid him over fifteen grand to find Bryce and arrange for custody.”

“They have to know that’s not how it works,” Caldwell said.

“According to his financials, this isn’t his first rodeo.” Miles showed a screen capture of the man’s bank records. “He must have one helluva speech. Besides, people do a lot of stupid things when they’re hurting.”

“And a lot of people don’t look too closely at the particulars when it means they’re getting what they want,” Jess said.

“According to Mr. Devaney, Molly’s lawyer,” he clarified for Caldwell, “someone is working with Clinton inside the court system, manipulating the court documents and dates.”

“That’s why Wilt keeps getting mixed information.” Jess pulled out her phone. “Man, I can’t wait to send this up the line. Gamble and Swann will have a field day tearing this apart.”

“Tell them to give me twenty-four hours. If they move before then, we might lose Clinton altogether. This guy needs to answer for what he’s done to Molly and who knows how many others. I don’t want to let him slip away.”

“Tell us what you need,” Knox said, resigned.

“Speak for yourself,” Caldwell barked. “I’m not authorizing a vigilante operation.”

Miles felt his molars grinding. “Seriously? That’s why I invited you.” He relaxed his shoulders, his hands, though he wanted to shake the man. “Nothing I’m suggesting is illegal. Just an illusion.” He eyed Caldwell. “I can lure this guy in. I’ll tell you exactly where to stand so you can make the arrest.”

Caldwell exchanged a long look with Jess, then came to a decision. “I’m listening.”

Miles went over his plan step by step. “I’ll message Clinton a picture of the truck he thinks is hidden.” Before Caldwell could protest, he added, “I’ll give you the location too, so you can have someone watching it. The message should up Clinton’s timeline. He’ll demand money and prep his exit. Molly will be upset, I’ll invite her and Bryce here and we’ll make a stink about leaving town and Clinton will be forced to act. He’s greedy. Needs the payday.” Miles pointed to the docks. “He’ll make a move right there when it looks like his target is escaping and you can drop a net over him.”

“Just like that?” Caldwell clearly wasn’t convinced.

“Could work,” Jess said. “You’ll need to make one adjustment.”

He went over it again in his head. Couldn’t see the error. “What’s that?”

“No way this goes down successfully without Molly knowing your intention,” she said.

Miles resisted. “No. I don’t want her in harm’s way. He’ll come at me while I’m prepping the boat. Molly and Bryce will be up here.”

“That’s not how it’s going to go.” There was sympathy in Jess’s gaze.

“She’s right,” Knox said. “Molly won’t let you do this alone. You should know better.”

“I won’t be alone. She doesn’t need to worry.”

Jess suddenly grinned. “You love her. Amazing!”

Miles’s jaw locked. He couldn’t argue the truth, but he damn well wasn’t going to tell Jess before he gave those precious words to Molly.

“As a woman who’s been in a crisis or two,” Jess said, “my advice is if you want to build something with her, something that lasts, loop her in. And fast.”

“Otherwise you could lose her for good,” Knox muttered. The shadows in his eyes gave Miles pause. What had the bigger man been through? Who had he lost?

More to the point, did Miles want to have that look on his face next week? Next month? “All right, one more alteration. When I head for that boat, Molly will be with me.

“Who’s in?”

Jess, Knox, and the chief looked at him for what felt like an eternity. One by one, they nodded in agreement.

He grabbed his phone, only to have it ring in his hand. “Molly,” he said, answering the call.

“Hey—”

“Bryce is gone,” she wailed.

Miles put the call on speaker. “When?” He checked the clock. The boy should be in school.

“He went missing during recess. All I have is a picture?—”

“Send it to me,” he demanded.

“O-okay. I have to bring twenty-thousand dollars in unmarked bills to the marina. Tonight. Seven o’clock.” She choked back a sob. “Miles. I-I don’t have that kind of money. Sharon said she can get it.”

If Sharon couldn’t, Miles would front the cash. The money was the definitive proof that Clinton didn’t know who Miles was or what he’d done during his undercover op. Otherwise the ransom demand would’ve been much higher.

“Take a breath.” He kept his voice calm and warm, though he’d gone ice cold inside. He’d kill Clinton for terrifying her. Miles showed the picture to the others. He’d bet anything the vehicle Bryce was sitting in was the truck the cops hadn’t yet located. “I know who it is.”

“What? How?”

“I can explain it all later.” He shot Knox a look and the man got on his phone. Miles needed Knox to take point on coordinating with the police and the surveillance team in the area.

Jess was also texting madly.

“Chief Caldwell is here with me. We’re going to get mobilized and handle this. ”

“Miles…” Her voice just faded away.

“Bryce will be home with you tonight,” he vowed. “I want you and Sharon to go to the bank. If she can get the money, fine, but it doesn’t need to be the full amount.”

“What?”

“Is she there, Molly?”

“Yes. Here.”

“Miles. Can you come help us?” Sharon sounded nearly as frantic as Molly. “This ransom note says no police.”

“They always do,” Caldwell grumbled. “I’ll call the school. He has to know we’d start a search.”

“It’s going to work out,” Miles assured her. “Go to the bank. When you do, take your time. Chat with the teller, the manager, whatever.”

“And the money?”

“If you can get it, great.”

“He told us to put it in a beach bag.”

“That’s fine. I need you to look like you’re cooperating.”

“All right.” Sharon’s voice trembled. “He says he’ll make the exchange with Molly only.”

“Good to know. But she won’t be alone.”

“Miles?”

“Stay strong,” he said. “Do everything you can to comply with his directions. He’s watching you, Molly.”

“How do you know?”

He hated the tiny, fearful voice on the other end of the line. “Because I’m not just a sailing school instructor. I happen to have some experience with digging up truths people want to keep hidden. Can you trust me?”

“Yes. Of course. Always.”

“Thank you. The kidnapper is running a scam and it got away from him. He’s not into hurting kids. He won’t hurt Bryce.” Miles wouldn’t allow it. “We have to make him think we’re playing along. ”

“Okay.”

“Hang in there and I’ll see you soon.”

He ended the call, his heart pounding with the words he needed to share. He loved her and her little boy. He clutched the phone in a hard grip. Once this bastard was in custody, he would be able to tell her—tell them both.