Kenzie leaned against him as he guided her down the hall into her bedroom, helped her sit down on the edge of the bed.
“I’ve got to go out for a while,” he said. “I won’t be gone long and I’ll explain everything when I get back. Till then, just take it easy, okay?” He leaned down and kissed the corner of her mouth, where he was sure he wouldn’t hurt her. Even battered and bruised she looked beautiful. Reese felt a twinge of desire that under the circumstances embarrassed him.
“I don’t think they’ll call for a while. They’ll want to get everything in place. But if they do, just tell them we’ll pay whatever they ask, then we’ll figure out our next move. In the meantime, I’ll send your grandmother in to help you get dressed.”
In the hall, he stopped Florence as she approached. “You need to leave Griff’s room the way it is for now. There might be fingerprints, DNA, other clues that will tell us who these men are.”
“Kenzie said they were both wearing gloves. I guess I should have mentioned that before.”
“It’s all right. We still might find something. Take care of her till I get back. Lock the doors and don’t let anyone in except me.”
Florence nodded. Her short silver hair was unkempt and circles darkened the skin beneath her pale blue eyes. She looked ten years older than she had the last time he had seen her.
“We’ll get him back,” Reese told her, his voice a little gruff.
Florence said nothing. Reese prayed he could keep his word.
TWENTY-FIVE
Mel’s Diner looked like an old railroad car, chrome with bright red trim. It sat beneath a cluster of live oaks next to a little stream. As Reese pushed through the door, he spotted Chase’s dark gold hair at a booth at the back. Reese made his way down the aisle and slid onto the red vinyl seat across from him.
“How’s she doing?” Chase turned over the china mug on Reese’s side of the table and motioned for a dark-skinned waitress with corkscrew curls to fill it up.
“Those bastards beat the hell out of her,” Reese said as the woman finished pouring and walked away. “She fought them, sliced one of them up pretty good with her house keys. Still wound up with bruised ribs, a split lip, and a black eye. Doc says she’s got a slight concussion but it could have been a lot worse.”
Just saying it had his hand tightening around the handle of the mug.
“What about mentally? She ready for what’s coming?”
“Kenzie’s strong. But she’s scared, Chase. She loves her son with everything inside her, and she’s terrified what might be happening to him.”
“She give you a description?”
“It’s pretty basic. One my height only heavier. The other short and homely, with curly black hair. She may remember more once the shock wears off.”
Chase grabbed a black canvas bag off the seat beside him and set it on top of the Formica table.
Reese took a sip of his coffee, needing it, glad it was black and strong.
“There’s a fingerprint kit in here,” Chase said. “Bags for any trace evidence you find. If Kenzie cut one of them, see if you can get a blood smear for DNA.”
Reese nodded. “Apparently, they were wearing gloves, but there’s definitely blood in the room that isn’t hers.”
“I brought you a couple of throwaway phones. I’ve already programmed my cell number into each of them. We can stay in touch and not have to worry about them tracking us.”
“Good idea.” He should have thought of that. At least he had disabled his cell. His worry for Kenzie and Griff had left his mind a little fuzzy, but his focus was returning. Soon he’d be able to proceed with his usual unshakable control.
“There’s no way to know where this is headed,” Chase said. “I assume you’ve got your own weapon, but there’s an S&W .380 in the bag you might want for backup.”
Reese pulled back the navy blue windbreaker he was wearing with jeans and a dark blue T-shirt, flashing the Nighthawk .45 holstered on his belt. “I’m armed, but a spare piece might come in handy.”
He was an extremely good shot. This wasn’t the first time he was glad he had taken the classes for a concealed-carry permit.
Chase took a drink of his coffee. “I’m going to say this right up front. Even if you give the kidnappers what they want, there’s still a chance they’ll kill the boy.”
His stomach clenched. He knew it. Didn’t want to believe it, but he knew it was true. “We have to find them, go in, and get Griff out ourselves.”
“That’s right. Once they call, you need to draw out the negotiations as long as possible, give us time to find out where they’ve got him stashed. Make sure you ask for proof of life and make sure they understand the boy can’t be harmed in any way or they don’t get the money.”
Reese nodded. His brother had to know the money would be coming from him. Chase didn’t mention it. A child’s life was at stake.
“You need to call Tabby,” Chase said, taking a drink of his coffee. “Have her set Kenzie’s phone up to track the ransom call when it comes in. Once you’re back at her house, enable your phone and do the same in case they contact you directly.”
He nodded, anxious to get back to the town house. He didn’t like leaving Kenzie alone. “Anything else?”
“I’ll put the word out. Hawk’s back in town. I’ll talk to him, see what he can find out. Lissa’s in Denver, but I’ll bring Jax and Wolfe up to speed, make sure they keep their eyes and ears open.” Detectives who worked at The Max. “If there’s word on the street of anything going down, we’ll know about it.”
Reese rose from the booth, tossed money on the table to pay for their coffee and a generous tip. “I’ll see what I can find in Griff’s bedroom.” It would take some time to get the results from the lab Chase used, but the information could be crucial.
“Keep in touch,” Chase said, also rising.
Worried about Kenzie, Reese grabbed the canvas satchel and headed out the door.
* * *
Kenzie sat at the breakfast table, holding a plastic bag of frozen peas against the side of her face. Her cell phone rested on the table in front of her. She had no idea when the men would call. She just prayed that they would. Prayed that wherever Griff was, he was okay and the men hadn’t hurt him.
The thought sent a shaft of pain straight into her heart. Griff was just a little boy. By now he was probably awake and terrified. Maybe afraid something horrible had happened to her and Gran. He had no way of knowing.