Page 95 of Nash Falls

Nash looked at him in astonishment. “What?”

“Yeah, I was out playing in the rear grounds of Dad’s old estate. A guy jumped the fence and grabbed me.”

“What happened?”

“My mother saw what was going on. Luckily she’d been skeet shooting and still had her gun. She ran toward us and fired her weapon over our heads. That freaked out the guy who had me. He dropped me and ran for it. When he reached the fence my mother fired at him and winged him. He dropped over the fence where another guy helped him get away. My mom called the cops but they never turned up anything. After that, we always had a security guard with us.”

“Damn, Rhett, that was close.”

“To tell you the truth, I’m not sure my father would have paid the ransom, if I had been taken. But Mom would have made him.”

Seemingly embarrassed by this admission, Rhett glanced away.

As Nash looked him over, it occurred to him what a damaged man Rhett Temple probably was. It did not make him necessarily feel sorry for him, because no one’s life was perfect and everyone was accountable for their choices. But still, he feltsomethingfor the guy.

Nash said, “The kidnappers might have been seen.”

“Really? Well, that’s good, right?”

Nash shot Rhett a glance to see his expression. The man seemed truly sincere.

So he might not be in the loop on this. Had Steers acted alone?

If so, his plan about coming to the office today might not work. But he had to try.

“Yes. Um, they might have been posing as cops to get through the gate on a phony nine-one-one call.”

Nash believed he saw a hint of panic in the other man’s eyes at learning about the possibly fake police officers. Maybe at least Rhett suspected what might have happened.

“Damn, I wonder what that’s about?” said Rhett.

“I don’t know. But I’d do anything to have Maggie back safe.” He looked squarely at Rhett. “Anything. It doesn’t matter what they ask for, I’ll do it.”

Come on, Rhett, I’m being pretty damn obvious here. Give me Maggie back and I won’t do anything to hurt you or your father.

Rhett slowly nodded. “Well, I hope the cops find her, and fast.” He paused. “How is Judith doing? I’m sure she’s beside herself.”

Nash closed his eyes for a moment because Rhett’s comment had brought back the fact of this man’s having an ongoing affair with his wife.

Apparently Judith didn’t give him a heads-up about her confession.

“She is very upset, obviously. She, uh, blames herself.”

“What, why?”

“She was out that night, late. And she and Maggie had an argument about something when Judith returned home from wherever she was.”

Rhett paled, quickly rose, and said, “Well, give her my best. Look, keep me in the loop and if there’s anything you need, just say the word, okay?”

When the door closed behind the man, Nash said quietly, “If my daughter doesn’t come back safe, I will fucking kill you.”

CHAPTER

48

TWO DAYS LATER NASH RECEIVEDa text from Morris on their secure link. The FBI agent had nothing to report, but insisted he was still working diligently on the matter. Despite that, Nash did not like the tone underlying the man’s words. Something was off, he could feel it.

Later, Shock phoned him.