Protecting Tessa (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Brotherhood Alliance #6)

Chapter 39

39

T he men gathered at the command center. Time was of the essence, not only because Liam could only hold off for so long but because of the imminent danger Tessa was in.

The atmosphere was tense as Ford yanked out a chair and sat at the table. “What’ve you found so far?” he asked Dex, his voice sharp.

Dex let it go and merely shook his head. “Not much. Cameras show a black van pulling up by the door. Two men got?—”

“Who are they?” Ford interrupted. God, if he didn’t get an answer soon, he felt like he might explode.

Dex shot him a pointed look. “As I was saying,” he continued, “two men exited the van and entered the building. Their faces were hidden by hats. When they came out, Tessa was with them and had a burlap bag over her head, struggling to walk. They may have drugged her. I followed the van through town for a while, but then they disappeared.”

Fuck. Ford’s stomach twisted. This was worse than he thought. Who were these men? “The plates?”

Dex shook his head. “Too blurry to make out.”

Ford slammed his fist against the table. “Damn it. Where could they have taken Tessa? And why?”

No one answered.

“Easy, Ford.” Chase broke the silence. “It might help to ask Simone if she has any more information about the man Tessa was talking to. Ford, why don’t you stop by where she’s staying?”

Ford nodded. “Good idea. There has to be something—anything—to help us identify him.” His eyes flicked back to Dex, whose fingers were flying across the keyboard. “Dex, did you uncover anything regarding the event’s personnel?”

“Nothing. Everyone checks out clean.”

Ford leaned back and blew out a breath. They were running out of leads and time.

“There has to be something we missed,” Ford said as he raked a hand through his hair. “Keep digging.”

“Not a problem,” replied Dex. “I’m running a deeper background check on the attendees and referencing the vehicles in the area. If the van’s been spotted before, I’ll find it.”

Chase stood. “We’re not getting anywhere sitting around. Why don’t we split up and head back to the venue? There might be something we missed.”

The other men agreed.

“Great. I’ll pay Simone a visit, and hopefully, she knows a little more,” said Ford as he headed for the door.

Night had fallen by the time Ford pulled up in front of a small boutique hotel downtown.

A wrought-iron sign with the hotel’s name swung gently in the breeze over the entrance. Bright flowers in boxes framed the windows as a splash of color in the night. He killed the engine and stepped out, glancing at the twinkling stars overhead, and he let out a heavy sigh.

Pushing open the glass door, he stepped into the small but welcoming lobby, with polished tile floors and vintage-style chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Floral arrangements were placed around, and the sweet, almost cloying scent of lilies and roses permeated the air.

A young woman stood behind the reception desk bent over a computer screen, her long braid hanging over one shoulder. She looked up when Ford approached.

“How can I help you?” she asked with a polite smile.

“I’m looking for Simone Benedetto. She’s staying here.”

The receptionist tapped a few keys and frowned. “I’m sorry, sir, she checked out a short time ago.”

Ford’s stomach dropped. No. She couldn’t leave. “Did she leave a forwarding address or phone number?”

“I—” The receptionist looked at the computer. “No, I don’t see that she did. She paid her bill and left in a hurry.”

Ford cursed under his breath. This was too coincidental. “Did she say anything before she left? Like why was she leaving? Or did anyone come to see her?”

The woman shook her head. “Not that I know of. I’m sorry I don’t have more information.”

“Do you have security cameras in the lobby?” Ford knew he was brusque, but Tessa’s life was on the line.

“I don’t have access to them. I need the manager’s approval, and he’s not here right now. I’m sorry.”

He slapped the desk. “Thanks,” he muttered as he turned toward the door.

After leaving the hotel, Ford drove back to the command center. Dex was still at his computer.

“Can you hack into the security cameras at the hotel or the surrounding area?”

“Why?” Dex looked up, a small frown on his face.

“Simone left suddenly this evening, and I need to know where she went.”

“Give me a sec,” Dex said, already tapping on his keyboard.

Ford dropped into a chair and put his head in his hands. His mind raced with questions. Had someone scared Simone into leaving? Did she know something about Tessa’s abduction?

Or worse, was she involved somehow?

The clock was ticking, and they still were no closer to finding Tessa or getting answers.

Ford felt the weight of failure creeping closer. He’d promised to protect Tessa, and he failed.

“Got something,” Dex exclaimed, pulling Ford out of his thoughts. Ford got up and stood behind him. Dex clicked through a series of grainy feeds from the hotel’s exterior cameras.

“Here. Simone’s car is parked out front.” They watched the feed and saw Simone step out of the hotel, glancing around. She carried a small suitcase. Then she got into her silver sedan and headed down the street.

“Follow her,” said Ford.

Dex switched feeds, tracking the sedan as it wove through downtown. “She’s heading out of town.”

They watched the car make a series of turns before turning onto a busy street, blending with the traffic.

Had they lost her?

Dex adjusted his focus. “Got her! She’s passing Main Street now. No. Wait. Damn it, we lost her.”

Ford slammed his fist on the table. “Fuck.”

“Got to admit, she’s good. Planned the traffic just right,” said Dex.

“Did you get a plate number?”

Dex nodded. “Yes. I’ll run it through traffic cams and see if she pops up somewhere else. It’ll take time. Although once she leaves town, cameras are spotty.”

Damn. Time was one thing they didn’t have. They had to find Simone and fast. Ford was sure Simone knew more than she claimed. Every second wasted, the danger to Tessa grew.