Page 32 of Lethal Deceit (Hightower Security #2)

My heart stammers in my chest as I hold my phone, terrified of answering it and terrified not to.

“All phones other than ’s on silent,”

Luke says.

“I’ll go intercept Caleb.”

I’m glad he’s thought of it, when I’m unable to think of anything other than what my sister is going through, and Adena and Jake hastily mute their phones as Luke exits via the front door.

I take a breath, breathe out, and press the speaker so everyone can hear. “Hello?”

“They want me to talk, but I’m only allowed to say what they allow me to.”

Brooke. At least she’s alive.

My voice cracks as I think of her swollen lip.

“How badly are you hurt?”

“I’m fine… but… they say it won’t stay that way if you don’t give them exactly what they want.”

I swallow hard.

“Tell me what they need, and I’ll make sure they get it.”

Caleb enters the room swiftly and silently, with Luke on his heels. Luke has a notepad, and he has written down questions for me to ask.

“They want Samantha and five hundred thousand,”

Brooke says.

Luke gestures to the pad, and I read it verbatim.

“We have the woman you want, but we need time to get the cash together.”

“You have until midnight.”

The phone call is cut off before I can ask any more of Luke’s questions.

All the energy drains out of me, and I slump against the countertop, unable to meet Caleb’s eye as he approaches. But rather than a.

“I told you so”

expression, he’s wearing a look of genuine concern. He slaps his meaty hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

“We’ll do everything in our power to bring her home again.”

I offer him a weak smile and accept his comfort with as much humility as I can muster.

“You have experience with hostage negotiations?” I ask.

He shakes his head and jerks his thumb to Luke, who’s conferring with Jake and Adena.

“He does. You want an extraction, I’m your man.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

He reacts to my reply with a look of caution as he places radio equipment down on the countertop.

“Where’s Samantha?”

Caleb asks.

Adena, her phone glued to her ear as she speaks to Delilah, says.

“Bathroom.”

Jake mumbles something and glances up at me from a tablet.

“Seriously, you people are too trusting.”

Luke gives him the side eye before nodding.

“You’re right. Go check on her.”

Shaking my head, I move before he does.

“I didn’t even see her leave.”

No one replies. Adena is talking to Delilah about trying to triangulate the call—whatever that means—Luke and Jake are looking at Jake’s tablet, and Caleb is pouring himself what I imagine will be the first of a lot of cups of coffee.

That leaves me.

I stalk into the bedroom, frustrated, anxious, and furious at myself for letting this happen.

At the sound of the shower running, I bang on the door.

“Get out of there.”

No response.

Great. Everyone else is otherwise occupied. I have to be the one to wrangle her.

With anger driving me, I ram my fist on the door and yell loud enough that she’ll hear me over the water running.

“I’m not kidding. Open up, or I’ll come in there and drag you out.”

When I get no response, I immediately step back and aim my heel at the lock. It gives under the force, and I shove the door so hard it swings back at me, nearly hitting me in the face.

When she doesn’t scream at me to get out, I step into the room as steam billows out into the bedroom. In seconds the steam disperses enough for me to see why she didn’t reply.

The window is open, and Samantha is gone.