Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
M onday was there before she knew it and she was up, making sure Sophie had everything she needed for her first day. She had a new backpack with figures from the Minecraft game all over it. Sophie loved the game.
Plus, Marti had gotten her cowboy boots, so she and Danny would both have them on, at least for this first day.
Marti was fairly certain they would both be wearing their sneakers before long.
Caleb drove them all to school.
She wanted him to introduce her to the teacher he had in place to protect their children.
He parked, and they all got out. The kids were anxious to meet new kids and see old friends. They started to run to the group.
“Hey, you two. Get back here.” Marti shouted to be heard of the din of voices of parents and kids, all trying to talk at once.
When they didn’t stop immediately, Caleb let go with a loud whistle.
Both Danny and Sophie had heard that whistle before on occasion when they hadn’t been behaving properly. They stopped in their tracks and turned around.
From their hang dog expressions, they knew they were in trouble.
When they got back, Caleb put his hands on his hips. “What have I told you about listening to Marti when she tells you something, young man?”
Danny kicked a rock with his toe. “To do what she says.”
“And when she said to come back, why didn’t you?”
The boy looked up at his father. “But Daddy, all our friends are over there.” He pointed to the group of children near the doors.
“I don’t care. Marti told you two to come back here. You should have done so immediately. Now, you’ll wait here with us until we’re all ready to go.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Marti looked down at Sophie. “What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?”
“Mommy, I’m sorry. I should have stopped when you said.”
“Yes, you should have. What if you’d run out in front of a car? You weren’t looking where you were going and weren’t listening to me. That’s not a good way to start your first day as a first grader, now is it?”
“No, ma’am.” Sophie looked down at her boots and shuffled her feet back and forth.
“Okay, we’ll all go over and meet your teacher. Take my hand, Sophie.”
Sophie raised her hand.
Marti clasped her hand and then patted it with her free hand.
Caleb also took Danny’s hand.
Doing so made sure their children didn’t run out in front of a parent dropping off a child.
The group made their way over to the first-grade teacher.
She was a striking brunette wearing a nice flowered blouse, a brown A-line skirt and low beige heels.
Caleb held out his hand in greeting. “Lori Greene, this is Marti Parker.”
Lori shook Caleb’s hand and then turned toward Marti.
Marti held out her hand. “I’m glad to meet you.”
“Thank you, Ms. Parker. I promise I’ll take good care of your children while they are in my care.”
“I’m very glad to hear that. Thank you.”
“I’d be lying if I said I was just doing my job. These kids,” she waved an arm toward the gathered first graders. “They mean more to me than you can imagine. I had a sister, who got hooked on drugs. I couldn’t save her or her daughter, but I can save these kids.”
Marti was stricken with what the young woman had been through. “I’m so sorry for your loss but, selfishly, I’m also very glad you’re here to protect my baby.”
“Speaking of which,” Lori checked her watch. “It’s time I took my charges inside and started our first day.”
“Have a good day.” Marti had never meant that phrase more than she did right then because if Lori had a good day, that meant her Sophie was safe for at least another day.
Marti pulled into the line of parents picking up their children from the soccer game at the park. Sophie and Danny both knew to look for her car and to head there immediately.
She saw Sophie heading her way. Danny was several steps behind her, joking around with three other boys.
Suddenly, a black SUV screeched to a halt at the front of the line. Two men jumped out.
One of them fired an AK-47 into the air.
The second man grabbed Sophie around the waist and carried her to the car.
Marti screamed. “No! Sophie!” She opened her car door and tried to jump out only to be restrained by her seat belt.
Parents, coaches, and players were all screaming.
Most were running for cover.
She saw children pushed down by other children.
Parents running and frantically calling for their child.
Marti finally released her seatbelt and scrambled from the car running for the SUV.
The man tossed Sophie into the back seat, climbed in after her, and slammed the car door.
The first man fired in the air again before jumping into the passenger’s side of the SUV then the vehicle squealed its tires, laid rubber and spit gravel in its wake while it drove away.
Marti was struck dumb for a moment, then she called 911 while scanning the area for Danny.Her pulse raced and her limbs felt weak. Her baby was gone. Sophie. They took Sophie.
“Operator. Someone just kidnapped my daughter from in front of Morning Star Park. Yes, I’ll hold while you get the police.”
Danny ran to her car and got inside. He shook. “Marti! Marti! Someone just took Sophie.” Tears ran down his face.
She leaned over and hugged him tight. “Don’t worry. We’ll get her back. Your dad and I will get Sophie back. Trust me.” She was doing everything she could to hold back her tears. I will not fall apart. Danny and Sophie need me.
After a few minutes, Marti heard sirens approaching.
“The police are almost here. I’m hanging up.” She pressed stop and placed her phone into her jacket pocket.
Two police cars pulled in front of the park. Four officers got out and ran inside.
Marti looked at Danny. “I want you to stay right here and lock the doors. I don’t want to lose you, too, but I must talk to those police officers. Understand?”
He shook his head. “Don’t leave me. Please, don’t leave me.”
She slapped herself inside. What was she thinking? She couldn’t leave him alone. What sort of parent would she be? “You’re right. Come with me.”
Marti grabbed her purse, got out of the car, and hurried around to the passenger side. Danny was already out of the door. Her heart pounded in her chest, and it took everything she had not to stop and scream before breaking down and sobbing. This was her fault.
The cartel knew she was investigating them, and they’d warned her to stop. And she would. Right now. Anything to get Sophie back.
A female police officer approached. “Mrs. Parker?”
“Ms., I’m not married.” She shook her head. “Call me Marti.”
The woman had dark brown hair she wore in a chin-length bob. She lifted a brow, then she pulled a small notebook from her shirt pocket. “Marti. What can you tell me about what you saw?”
She told the officer everything she recalled.
“Can you think of a reason they would kidnap your daughter?”
Marti let out a deep breath. “I’m an investigative reporter for The Daily Chronicle.” She unhooked her press pass from her purse. “Here is my press pass and business card with my contact information. They want me to stop investigating them. And I will. I’ll do whatever they want. I just want my daughter back.”
The woman looked down at Danny. “And who is this?”
Marti pressed Danny closer to her side and took his hand in hers. “This is Danny Malone. Caleb Malone’s son.”
The officer scribbled some notes. “What are you currently working on?”
“I’ve been researching businesses that are laundering money for the KT Cartel.”
The woman whistled. “That’s dangerous stuff. No wonder they snatched your daughter. They would do anything to keep that under wraps. You need to talk to the DEA about this. They have an office in Billings. Their number is listed on their website.”
“What else can I do? There must be something.” She didn’t say anything about knowing the DEA here in Bozeman. She wasn’t about to blow Caleb’s cover.
The officer pursed her lips and pocketed her pad and pencil. “Go home and let us do our job. They might contact you. If they do, we want you to let us know. Let us know if they demand a ransom. Don’t pay it without our permission.”
Marti fisted her free hand. “I don’t need your permission to get my daughter back.” She turned on her heel and marched with Danny back to her car, leaving the officer to stare after her.
“What are we gonna do?”Danny tearfully asked.
“We’re going home as fast as we can but first, I’m calling your father. I want him to know you’re safe with me.”
Danny nodded. “Okay. I want my dad.”
She stopped at the passenger door, knelt and took Danny into her arms. “You’re safe with me, honey. I won’t let anything happen to you. Right now, I’m taking us both home to your dad. He’ll know what to do.”
Marti took out her phone and hit the speed dial for Caleb.
He answered on the second ring.
“They took her. Caleb, the cartel kidnapped Sophie.” She heard the tremor in her voice and took a deep breath while listening to him.
“Yes, I’ve got Danny. He’s safe. We’re leaving the park as soon as we can. Everyone is trying to drive away right now, but I’ll get in line and be there as soon as we can.”
She listened while she got Danny settled and buckled into the back seat.
“I love you, too. I know this will be okay. We’ll get Sophie back. I know we will.” She listened again and got into the car behind the steering wheel. “I have faith. See you soon.” She pressed end and shoved the phone into her purse.
Marti drove as fast as was safe, speeding home to get to Caleb.
She came to a screeching halt in front of the house. Danny had undone his seatbelt and was out of the car before she got around to him.
Caleb met them at the door. His forehead was wrinkled and his mouth was in a flat line. “What the heck? I heard you from my office.”
“They took her. The cartel took her. Oh, Caleb.” Marti burst into the tears she’d been holding.
Danny stood behind them until Marti held out her arm, and he joined in their embrace, tears running down his face, too.
She shakily told him the entire story. “I’ll do what they want. I don’t care if giving in is the wrong thing to do. I just want Sophie back. I don’t want them to hurt her.”
“We’ll get her back. I’m sure Jamison will be calling at any moment.”
Through the open door, they heard the phone in the office ring.
“That’s my private line. Jamison knows the number.” Caleb took off running toward his office.
Marti ran after him.
Danny followed.
Caleb snatched up his phone, pressing the green button as he lifted it to his ear. “Hello?”
After a moment, Caleb spoke. “Your problem is with me, Jamison. Why snatch Marti’s daughter?”
Caleb listened, his eyes narrowing further. Anger fairly radiated off him. “You know I can’t do that. How long have you known?”
“What’s he saying?” whispered Marti.
Caleb held up a finger.
She knew he wanted silence, and she gave it to him, as much as it griped her. Marti hated not hearing what was being said. Sophie was her daughter, after all.
She paced.
Danny paced with her.
Marti realized Danny must be traumatized by what he saw. She went over to him, got to her knees, and opened her arms.
He rushed into them and then the dam burst.
“Oh, sweetie, it’s okay. Your dad will make everything okay.”
Marti held the child while still straining to hear what Caleb was saying.
Finally, Caleb slammed the phone onto the desk.
Marti jumped.
So did Danny.
“Caleb?” Her voice was a whisper.
“He won’t give Sophie back until after the shipment that will happen on my property goes off without a hitch. Then he’ll release Sophie.”
“So let it go?” How can I let it go? Too much could happen. He could hurt her.
He let out a deep breath. “It’s a slippery slope. If I let it go, then he’ll keep kidnapping people close to me. If I take him down and miss, then he’ll hurt Sophie.”
“What choice do you have? You can’t let it happen. Caleb. She’s, my daughter. You have to do something.” Her voice rose until she was almost yelling. “You have to get Sophie back. There is no other choice.”
Caleb walked over to them. “Marti, please, calm down. I’ll get Sophie back, but I can’t just let him do this his way. You know I can’t.”
“She’s, my daughter. Caleb.” Her voice broke. “She’s all I have.” Marti hugged Danny closer. What if it was Danny? Caleb is taking too big a risk with my daughter’s life.
He squirmed in her arms.
She released him.
Danny took off.
She heard him head for the kitchen. Marti looked over at Caleb.
He was calling his team in.
Seeing there was nothing for her to do, she left the room and headed for Sophie’s bedroom. Marti needed to feel close to her daughter, even as she wondered if Caleb would be able to reason with Jamison.
Marti wasn’t so na?ve that she didn’t realize he wouldn’t be able to negotiate with Jamison for Sophie’s release.
Caleb had nothing he could offer Jamison except a long prison term.
In Sophie’s room, Marti sat on the bed and then spied Sophie’s giraffe. Her daughter never went to sleep without that thing tight in her arms. She picked up the toy and sniffed it. She smelled Sophie. The tears that had been threatening rolled unheeded down her cheeks.
Caleb knew Marti would hate him forever, but he couldn’t let the cartel use kidnapping as a lever to get what they wanted. The terror would never stop. All he had to do now was figure out how to get Sophie back safe and sound. First, he had to find her.
He called a meeting at the office for his entire team. After he made the phone calls, he went and found Marti.
She sat on Sophie’s bed, holding a stuffed giraffe. She looked up when he came in. Her lips trembled and tears dripped from her eyes like she was doing her best to hold them back. “This is her favorite animal. She goes to sleep holding it every night.” She let out a sob and buried her face in the stuffed animal before gazing up at him again. “I can still smell her. What am I going to do?”
Caleb hurried to the bed and sat next to her, taking her into his arms. He felt useless and hated seeing her this way. Yet he knew if it was Danny missing, he would be in the same shape. “I’ll get her back, Marti. If it is the last thing I ever do, I’ll get her back, safe and sound.”
She looked up at him. “What if you can’t? What if they…ki…kill her?”
“Jamison won’t kill her. He’ll keep her safe, I feel sure of it. The only thing I’m not sure of is why they are doing this now. There has to be a reason they haven’t tried it before. What is different now?”
Marti put down the toy and grabbed Caleb by his shirt. “Maybe he’s not calling the shots anymore. Did someone else come to town?”
“Not that we’re aware of.”
“I think, if we knew where she was, I’d go in and get her myself. I?—”
Marti’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out and looked at the number.
“Do you recognize it?”
She shook her head and swiped the green button. “Hello.” She listened, then mouthed, “It’s Rocket.”
“Yes, I know about the kidnapping. She’s, my daughter.”
She listened again. Then her eyes widened. “You do? You saw her? Was she okay?”
Marti closed her eyes as the tears rolled silently down her cheeks.
“Yes, I know where that is. Thank you, Rocket. Thank you so much.”
She looked down at her phone. “He’s seen her. They took her to a place in that new condo development. Apparently, it belongs to a woman. Kristal Rafferty. Does the name mean anything to you?”
Caleb stiffened. That makes no sense. “She was someone Jamison wanted, but had a girlfriend in high school, regardless he always wanted to date Kristal. But she wouldn’t have anything to do with him because he didn’t have enough money. And then, when he did have some money, she was already married and had two kids. That was more than ten years ago.”
“Sounds like Jamison finally got enough money and power to please her. So, how are we getting Sophie back?”
“Bethany took Danny, but I still need to know they’re safe. Then you and I are going to my office in town to meet with the rest of my team.”
He found Bethany and Danny in the barn.
She sat on a bale of hay holding him close on her lap.
He cried and told her the story of what happened to Sophie.
Caleb’s heart nearly broke for him. He walked over to them. “Son.” He opened his arms.
Danny went willingly. “Daddy.”
He lifted him into his arms and rubbed his back. “Everything will be all right. I’m going to get Sophie back. You haven’t lost your friend.”
Danny looked up at his father and sniffled. “She’s my best friend. You have to save her.”
“I will. I promise.”
The boy laid his head against Caleb’s chest.
Caleb rubbed his back. “Marti and I have to leave so we can work on getting Sophie back. I want you to stay with Bethany.” I hate having to warn him against my own brother, but Jamison isn’t the man I knew. This Jamison would hurt Danny to get back at me. “Don’t go anywhere by yourself and if you see Uncle Jamison, I want you to run to Bethany right away. Understand? I don’t want you to talk to him or go to him, no matter what he says. You find your aunt.”
Danny wrinkled his brow and tilted his head. “I don’t understand. Uncle Jamison is gone. He can’t come back.”
“Sweetheart.” Caleb wiped the tears from Danny’s cheeks with his thumbs. “Uncle Jamison is alive, but you can’t go to him or with him no matter what. Understand? No matter what he says you can’t go.”
His son didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. “I won’t go out on my own, and if I see Uncle Jamison I’ll run to Aunt Bethany. I promise.”
His father kissed his forehead and set him on the floor. “I love you, Son.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.”
The boy walked back to his aunt.
Bethany stood and placed her hands on Danny’s shoulders. “Okay. We get to brush down the horses today. What do you think about that?”
Danny hung his head. “Okay.” He trudged to the back stall where his black mare was housed.
Bethany looked up at Marti and Caleb. “I’ve got this. Go get Sophie back and punch Jamison in the nose for me, I don’t even care if you break it. As a matter of fact, I hope you do.”
Sadness washed over Caleb. He never thought his family would come to this. “Gladly.” He took Marti’s hand and headed out of the barn.
“Bye,” shouted Marti over her shoulder as she ran to keep up with Caleb’s long strides.
In the garage, Caleb opened the key safe and pulled out a set of keys.
“We’re taking the Camaro. It’s fast and won’t stand out as much as the Ferrari or the Lamborghini.”
“That makes sense.” She walked over to the sparkly blue Camaro and got into the passenger seat. “Will your team be there when we arrive?”
“They should be. We have a lot of work to do.”
When they arrived at the Bozeman office of the DEA, Caleb’s team was waiting for him in the conference room.
For some reason Marti thought the room would look different, since it was the DEA, but it was like every other conference room she’d ever been in,
Two men and one woman sat around the large table.
Caleb sat at the head of the table.
She was on his right.
“This is Marti Parker, the girl’s mother. Marti, you know Lori, and these two are Sam, and Jeff.”
Marti nodded to each person, irritated at the formalities when Sophie was still missing and so far, nothing was being done about getting her back.
She remembered Lori as the first-grade teacher at Sophie’s school. She was a pretty girl with large blue eyes and dark, almost black hair that she wore in a low ponytail. “Nice to see you, Marti.”
Sam was slender, with brown hair and brown eyes that lit up when he smiled. He dipped his chin. “Ms. Parker.”
“Marti, please. We’ll be working together, after all.”
He smiled. “Marti, it is.”
Jeff had dark auburn hair and a full beard. His eyes were somber and deep blue. “Marti. Pleased to meet you.”
“Okay,” said Caleb. “Now that introductions have been made, let’s get down to business. What can you tell me?”
Lori opened her laptop and clicked a remote. An image popped up on the large monitor on the wall. “We tracked the SUV by satellite to a condo in that new development. It is the one owned by Kristal Rafferty. Sophie was seen on the feed leaving the vehicle and entering the building.”
“We already know that. I want to see the footage. I want to see my daughter.”
Lori looked at Caleb.
He nodded.
She clicked the remote and a video started. It was black-and-white.
Marti watched carefully. She suddenly pointed at the screen. “There. There is my baby. See she shook off the man’s hand on her shoulder.” Tears rolled unbidden and unheeded from her eyes. “She was still okay then.”
Caleb slammed his fist on the table. “Jamison has got to know that we could track him. What game is he playing at?”
Marti raised her hand.
Caleb smiled. “You don’t need to raise your hand. Just speak up.”
“Well…” Marti cleared her throat and sniffled. “I don’t think he’s playing a game as much as getting your attention.”
“He’s got it, but I don’t think he’ll like it,” muttered Caleb.
“We’ve got Nick and Tom on surveillance.” Lori spoke up. “So far there’s nothing to report. No movement in or out of the condo.”
“We only have one option. Marti and I are knocking on the door. Jamison will let me in, and then I’ll discover exactly what he wants and go from there. Our mission hasn’t changed; it’s just been altered. Now, we get the girl out of there first. I want the three of you, plus Nick and Tom, to come in after dropping tear gas. We’ll be uncomfortable for a bit, but it beats the alternative. Wait for ten minutes so we can find Sophie, then assault the building. I would guess he has two, maybe three guards. We hadn’t found this hideout, and he’s just cocky enough to believe we haven’t yet. You’ll have the element of surprise on your side. Make it count. Lori, send the address to my phone.”
The brunette smiled. “Already done.”
Caleb stood. “Let’s go.”
Marti understood why Caleb was a good DEA agent. He was commanding and people followed his direction without question. She followed everyone else out of the room but Caleb.
He came behind her and placed his hand at her waist. “We’ll rescue her, Marti. I promise she won’t be harmed except for the tear gas. I don’t know of any way to get a gas mask into her.”
“I don’t either. We’ll manage. The main thing is to get her out of there alive.”
“I don’t believe Jamison will hurt her. He likes kids too much. She’s safe as long as he’s in charge. If someone else comes…”
A sob escaped her. He hadn’t finished because he didn’t need to. She knew what the odds were if a higher cartel boss became involved. Marti steeled her backbone. “Let’s go and get this done before that happens.”
Caleb leaned down and kissed her forehead. “That’s my girl.”
They arrived at Kristal Rafferty’s condo and parked out front on the street. Two black SUVs sat on the street, too. One in front of the house and one across the street. Neither vehicle was occupied.
Caleb looked up and down the street as he walked around to Marti’s side of the Camaro.
The street was quiet. The condos were built like townhomes, one beside the other rather than on top of each other. Even though these condos were higher end as far as price, it appeared to still be a working-class neighborhood. He didn’t see any bikes or skateboards out in the yard, so maybe Kristal’s kids didn’t live with her.
The buildings were painted hideously in alternation flat avocado green and burnt orange. Why that combination was so popular he would never understand.
She’d already exited the car and was waiting on the sidewalk. “Now what?”
He placed a hand at her waist and escorted her to the front door. “Now we knock.” He pounded on the door.
Kristal’s place was at the corner of the building. According to the blueprints, it had three bedrooms, two of which were masters with their own baths. They were at the back of the building. The front was taken up by the third bedroom and the vaulted ceiling of the living room. The building had no basement, and the total square footage was 1,632 feet, big for a single-story condo in Bozeman, but not huge.
Caleb figured Sophie was most likely in one of the back bedrooms.
The door opened to Jamison’s smiling face. “Brother. I thought taking the girl would bring you around. Come in.” He swung his left arm in a wide arc as he stepped back, allowing them entrance.
Marti stepped up into the foyer.
Keeping a hand at her waist, Caleb followed her inside. Under other circumstances, he would have been thrilled to see Jamison looking so well. He would have flicked his ear and asked him where the heck he’d been. Then he would have hugged him, just glad to have him home.
Jamison smiled as he closed the door. “Ah, always the gentleman. So, is this reporter taking Sarah’s place in your heart?”
“No one can ever take Sarah’s place. You, of all people, should know that. Is this all about the fact that Sarah picked me instead of you? Tell me I’m mistaken.” Caleb sounded tired, even to his own ears.
Narrowing his eyes, Jamison stared at Caleb. “She should never have chosen you. We loved each other, but you had more money. They were your businesses, after all. Even though I was filthy rich, still am, she chose you.”
“You never understood, because you never wanted to. She didn’t love you. Ever. She used you as a way to get me to pop the question because I’d been putting off asking her.”
Jamison smiled as if he knew something Caleb didn’t. “You’re wrong. Sarah and I remained lovers even after you got married. She always loved me, but she was greedy. She wanted to have the most, be the best, have the best and she thought that was you, but she still loved me.”
Caleb stiffened at the words; his hands formed into fists. “That’s not true and you know it. You’re just saying that because she’s gone, and you think you’ll get a rise out of me. It won’t work. Now, where is Sophie. You’ve seen me, you’ve gotten in your dig. Let Sophie and her mother go.”
Marti heard it in his voice, he still loved Sarah. She wondered what it would be like to be loved like that. Loved so much that even in death, two men were still fighting over who you loved.
Jamison smiled. His blue eyes twinkled with malevolence. “Ah, but that’s not the only reason I wanted you here. I want you and your men to stay away from the new barn. I have plans for that barn that don’t include the cows.”
Marti placed an arm around Caleb’s waist.
“You know that won’t happen, so why are you even asking?”
Jamison’s upper lip turned into a snarl, and he sneered. “I’m not asking, I’m telling. And to make sure you’ll do exactly that; I’m keeping the girl until my operation is done. I said that before, but apparently you don’t believe that will happen.” He finally looked at Marti. “I’m sorry Ms. Parker, but there will be no happy reunion for you and…Sophie. You should be proud of her. She refused to give me any information, including her name. I already knew it, but I thought it would be easier once she told me who she was.”
“She’s always been a smart girl,” said Marti.
Jamison frowned and the lip curl was back. “She’s a stubborn girl,” he spat. “Which could get her in trouble later in life.”
Marti lifted a brow. “She’s just like me. I’m proud I’ve instilled in her confidence to stand up for what is right. And nothing you do is right. You know that don’t you?”
Jamison narrowed his eyes and took a step closer. “Tread lightly, Ms. Parker. You’ve been a pain in my side for too long. I might just take something to eliminate that pain…permanently.”
Caleb stepped toward Jamison, with his teeth clenched. How dare he threaten the woman I love? “Don’t threaten her, baby brother.”
Jamison stilled.
Caleb wondered if ten minutes had passed and when the tear gas would be lobbed through the living room window.
Suddenly, a commotion was heard from the back of the condo.
Smoke wafted into the room.
Men ran out the front door crying.
Caleb had known his team would start at the back of the building. He was expecting the living room next.
Then the living room window shattered, and a canister landed on the carpet.
Jamison lunged at Marti.
Caleb’s urge to protect her was strong and he was faster, grabbing Jamison by the throat with one hand. “Don’t you even think about touching her.”
A guttural sound came from the back of Jamison’s throat and his hands batted at Caleb’s arm.
Marti couldn’t worry about the brothers’ fight. She covered her nose and mouth with her hand and ran back the way the men were coming from. All the doors were open as she ran down the hall. Despite the sting to her eyes she had to find Sophie. The first door she came to was a bathroom. The next was an empty bedroom. The third room was an empty master bedroom. She had to check the bathroom, too, but it was empty.
She only had one more door to go through. When she looked inside, she saw the second master bedroom. She ran to the bathroom, praying Sophie was there. Just as she was about to open the door, she heard whimpering.
Marti turned toward the sound. Her eyes and nose watered and ran so much she could barely keep her eyes open.
“Sophie,” she shouted.
Her daughter was between the bed and the wall. Her hands and feet were tied. It looked like she’d rolled off the bed, trying to get away from the tear gas.
Marti didn’t untie her. She lifted her baby in her arms and ran out of the room, heading for the front door. She ran as fast as she could.
Sophie cried and buried her face in Marti’s chest.
When she reached the front door, she saw it was open and ran out toward the street.
Caleb caught her in his arms. “It’s okay. Here, let me rinse your faces.”
“Sophie first.” Marti stumbled with Sophie onto the lawn and went down on her knees. Relief that Caleb was safe and was there to support her washed over her.
Caleb handed her a large bottle of water and started working on Sophie’s bindings.
Marti poured the water from the top of Sophie’s forehead, letting the liquid run down her own face.
Someone handed her a towel, and she wiped Sophie’s face as the water rinsed her.
Sophie was still crying, but the water was helping. She turned her head away and then back. “I’m okay, Mommy. Do you.”
Marti poured the water the same way down her face, rinsing her eyes and her nose. She wiped her skin with the towel. Slowly, the burning from the tear gas eased, and she could open her eyes for more than a second or two.
Caleb had Sophie free, and she threw herself into her mother’s arms. “Mommy! I was so scared. I didn’t know if you would find me.”
“Shh, sweetie. I will move heaven and earth to find you. You can always depend on me.” Marti wrapped Sophie in her arms and clung to her, breathing in her kid scent.
Caleb stood back.
Marti finally looked up at him. “Thank you. Thank you for rescuing my baby.”
He had a half smile, and he smoothed his hand down the back of Sophie’s hair. “She means a lot to me, too. I couldn’t let him just keep her.”
Tears pricked Marti’s eyes, and she knew he was telling the truth. “We have a lot to talk about at home.” She deliberately referred to his ranch as home and not for the first time. But before it was just a location. Now, it was her heart. The place was more than just buildings. It was the people…Bethany, Danny, and Hetti. All of them were part of her now. All of them made the ranch home to her.
Caleb took her hand and helped her to her feet.
Sophie tugged on his sleeve.
“Hi, sweet girl. What can I do for you?”
The child said nothing; she just raised her arms, asking to be picked up.
Caleb smiled and gathered her into his arms. Then he held her with one arm and put the other one around Marti.
She couldn’t help but feel, if Danny had been there, that their family would have been complete. But she also knew as much as she and Caleb were attracted to each other, it would probably never be. He still loved Sarah, and Marti wouldn’t play second fiddle to a ghost.
“Let’s go home. I’ve left Jeff in charge. Everyone who was in the building has been accounted for and placed under arrest.” He led the way up the street to the Camaro. “Jamison will get his day in court and that’s all I wanted. He needs to be held accountable for all his crimes.”
Marti nodded, not knowing what to say.
When they reached the car, he looked at Marti. “I don’t have a child safety seat, I?—”
She smiled at his thoughtfulness. “I think this is a special occasion.”
He held the seat forward so Sophie could get into the backseat.
Marti was feeling a little jealous of Caleb and how Sophie clung to him when she was the one who rescued her. Then she realized how petty it was. She had her daughter back; nothing was more important than that. If Sophie needed to hang on to Caleb, well, then that was what she would do, and Marti would accept it for what it was. Her daughter needed some fatherly attention.
Marti climbed into the passenger seat, buckled up, and pulled her door shut.
Caleb slid behind the wheel, started the engine, and headed for home.
On the drive, none of them said anything.
When he reached the ranch, Caleb drove straight into the garage.
Marti was out of the door practically before he turned off the engine. Then she went around the car to his side.
Sophie had fallen asleep.
Caleb leaned in, unbuckled her seatbelt, and pulled her into his arms.
She never woke.
“Let’s get her to bed.” Marti led the way and opened the door as they walked through the house to Sophie’s bedroom.
Caleb looked over at Marti. “Should we let her sleep in these clothes?”
Marti shook her head. “No, she needs to get out of them. They are full of tear gas, and I want her in her pajamas.”
He laid Sophie on the bed. “You’ll have to wake her.”
Marti gazed down at her daughter. Happy didn’t even come close to describing the feelings that flowed through her. “I know. Why don’t you go heat some coffee? I’m not ready to go to sleep. It’s only about seven o’clock and way too early for bed.” Marti turned her gaze to Sophie and then wiped the tears off her own cheeks. “I’ll shower after I calm down,”
“I’m on it. See you in a few minutes.” He left the room.
Marti undressed her daughter and got her into her nightclothes without completely waking up the exhausted child. When she had her tucked into bed, she turned out the lights and gazed over at her before she closed the door. She couldn’t believe how lucky they’d been. She wasn’t na?ve enough to believe that Jamison would have just handed over Sophie. Marti was very lucky Caleb was as good at his job as he was. Without him the outcome could have been very different. She might have lost Sophie forever. A sob escaped her, and she dropped her chin to her chest as she cried. After a couple of minutes, she wiped her cheeks, took a shower, and then headed downstairs to see Caleb in the kitchen.
When she arrived in the kitchen, she saw Caleb had two mugs on the counter. He filled them with the dark, rich liquid.
He pushed a mug over to Marti. “How is she?”
“Exhausted. She’s sleeping. I’ll let her rest for a couple of hours, then I’ll get her up to shower. I can’t let her nap for too long, or she’ll never sleep for the rest of the night.”
“I know. We need to talk after everyone is in bed. I called Bethany from the condo and let her know that Sophie was safe. She said she was taking Danny into her room and sleeping with him tonight. I’m sure that’s where they are now. She actually has a suite of rooms in the west wing, near Danny. Her gaming set up is a sight to behold. Danny will be in seventh heaven to get to play her games.”
“Does she have games suitable for a six-year-old?”
He chuckled. “She has games especially for Danny. This isn’t the first time he’s had a sleepover with Bethany.”
Marti nodded. “We’ll talk later, but I need to shower now.” On impulse, she rolled to her toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for today, for going after your brother and saving my daughter.”
He raised both hands, palms up. “Of course. I love Sophie, too.” He dropped his hands, and they formed fists. “Jamison is not the brother I grew up with. I don’t know him at all anymore.”
“We’ll talk more after I shower. I’ll be back down in fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll see you then.” He leaned against the counter watching her go.
Marti walked upstairs and into Sophie’s bedroom. After checking on her, she headed through the connecting door to her bedroom and showered as quickly as she could. Even after the shower, she still felt as if the tear gas was on her. She’d have to shower again before bed.
It was twilight when Marti walked into the kitchen.
Caleb sat alone on a barstool at the island with a mug between his hands.
He lifted his head when she entered. “Feel better?”
She nodded, retrieved her mug and warmed the coffee with fresh from the pot.
“I’m sorry Jamison changed so much. Grief is different for everyone. I’m sorry for what he said about Sarah, too.”
Caleb stared into his coffee mug. “He was right though. I loved Sarah and gave her anything she wanted. But once she met Jamison, she never loved me like she did him. Even now, I was deluding myself when I told you about her. I thought we were sweethearts, especially in the beginning and maybe we were, for a short time. But she married me for what I could give her. Having Danny was an accident. The most amazing accident.”
Marti had a lump in her throat and was choked up as she placed a hand on his arm. “I wish I knew what to say.”
“Because I loved her at one time, I was sorry when she got cancer, but Jamison was devastated. I think that’s when he started to change. And when she died, he completely lost it. He went into his own world then and didn’t come out. That must have been when he got involved with the cartel. He’s obviously worked his way up in the organization.” He ran a hand through his hair.
“What will happen to him now?”
“He’ll be charged with drug trafficking and kidnapping. He’ll be going to prison for a long time.” He frowned and furrowed his brows. “I won’t help him this time. He’s got to pay for his crimes.”
Marti closed her eyes to stop the tears that threatened to fall. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. It is what it is. No one could have changed the outcome. We were locked into what happened between us. And after Danny was born, I knew I would never give him up in a divorce. Sarah knew it, too, and stayed with me for that reason. Even though he was an accident. She loved him with her whole heart, just as I do.”
Marti placed a hand on his arm. “I’m glad for that.”
“So am I.” He stared into his empty coffee cup. “I don’t want to talk about Jamison and Sarah. I want to talk about you and me.”
“What about us?” Her heart raced, and her stomach flipped.
He took her hand as he gazed into her eyes. “You must know I have feelings for you. None of our dates were because of the job. I enjoyed going out with you and learning a little about Marti Parker. Do you want to know what I’ve learned?”
She nodded, her voice abandoning her.
He ran his tongue over the front of his teeth and then smiled. “I’ve learned you’re a fantastic mother and love Sophie beyond reason. You’re strong and brave. You don’t let people push you around. I like that.”
“I…um…thank you. I guess that’s part of being a reporter.”
“I think it’s just part of you. Whether you are a reporter or not, you would still be all those things.” He stood and closed in on her, standing between her legs. “Now, about us. I want us to continue as we have been, but without thinking it’s a mission. I want to show my love off to the world.”
“Yo…your love. You love me?” Tears rolled unbidden from her eyes and her heart melted. “That’s a very good thing, because I love you, too.”
He cupped the back of her head, lowered his lips to hers, and placed soft kisses on the sides of her mouth before moving to her lips and deepening the kiss.
Marti poured her love into kissing him back.
Caleb held her close, his arms around her waist. “I love you so much. I don’t think I’ve ever known what real love is until you. Marry me, Marti. I can’t wait to make you my wife and be able to romance you in all ways.”
“I can’t wait to be romanced.” She brought his head down to hers and kissed him.
Bethany and Danny chose that moment to come in from outdoors.
“Well, it’s about time.” Bethany crossed her arms over her chest and smiled.
Danny looked up at his aunt and then mimicked her. “Yeah, it’s about time.”
Marti tried to pull away.
Caleb clamped his hands at her lower back, holding her close.
“I like you just where you are. In my arms, forever.”
Marti leaned her head on his chest and smiled. “I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Sophie walked into the room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “What’s going on?”
“Sophie!” Danny ran across the room and hugged his best friend. “Daddy and your mom just said they’d love each other, and Daddy asked her to marry him.” Then he turned toward Caleb and Marti and frowned. “But she never answered.”
“No,” said Caleb. “She didn’t.” He boxed her in at the breakfast bar with an arm on either side of her hips.
Marti’s cheeks heated, and she looked up at Caleb. Her pulse raced and her breathing was shallow.
He patiently waited.
She took his face between her palms. “Of course, I’ll marry you. The sooner, the better, and you’d better romance the heck out of me.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, I intend to. Believe me, I’ll make you forget every other man you’ve ever known.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
He grinned. “We can get married as soon as you want. We just need a marriage license, and then we can go before the justice of the peace. Unless you want a big wedding, then we can wait?—”
She placed two fingers on his lips. “I don’t want a big wedding. I’ve had a big wedding, and that marriage didn’t last. How about two weeks from now? That will give me a little time to find a dress and shoes, and to get my parents here.” She turned to Danny. “They are going to love you. They’ve always wanted a grandson.”
Danny’s eyes widened. “Wow, I’m gonna have grandparents. I’ve never had those before.”
Sophie grinned. “Does this mean Danny and me will be brother and sister?”
Marti nodded. “It sure does. Are you happy about that?”
She nodded, her head going up and down very fast. “You bet. I’ve never had a brother before, but he’s always gonna be my bestest friend.”
“Yeah,” said Danny, throwing his arm over Sophie’s shoulder. “What should we do first? Wrestle on the floor or go visit the horses?”
“Visit the horses,” said Sophie.
Marti put her hands on her hips. “It’s a little late to visit the horses and Sophie has to take a shower.” She pointed a finger at her daughter. “You have tear gas in your hair. Upstairs, now. March.”
Sophie hung her head. “Aw, Mommy, I don’t want to.”
“That doesn’t matter. You need to do it now. It will hurt later if any of that gets in your eyes or your mouth again. Now, go. I’ll be up in a minute.”
Sophie kicked an invisible rock with her shoe. “Okay.” She turned to Danny. “Don’t you go without me.”
“I won’t. I’ll be in the family room watching TV. Come get me there.”
“Okay.” Sophie ran off to take a shower.
Marti shook her head. “Kids.”
Caleb grinned. “Do you think they’ll start fighting like brother and sister now?”
“I don’t think so.” Marti thought for a moment. “They were best friends first, and I think they’ll stay that way.”
Bethany came over and hugged Marti.
Marti returned the gesture, pleased by what she was sure it meant. “What was that for?”
“I wanted a sister, and I’m getting one. Sarah and I were never close. Her being so much older then me made it hard for us to really become sisters But you and I are already close, so becoming my sister is just the next step.” She looked over at her brother. “I’m just glad he finally saw who was right in front of him. And now we get to go shopping for your wedding dress. I might work with horses and act like a cowboy most of the time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love shopping and looking like a girl, too.”
“Good. I don’t want a regular wedding dress, but I want something really pretty. It’s so close to fall, though, I don’t know if we can find anything like that. We’ll try the bridal shops first, but I don’t want a bridal gown, I guess I want a cocktail dress. Something I can wear again.”
Caleb shook his head. “I can see I’m not needed for this conversation. I think I’ll go watch TV with Danny and Sophie when she comes down.” He grabbed Marti around the waist and pulled her close. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”
She placed a finger on her chin and pretended to contemplate his question. “I don’t think you have. And even if you have, I want to hear it again.” Her pulse raced, and her heart thumped loudly in her chest.
“I love you, Marti Parker, and I can’t wait for you to be my wife.”
“I love you too. You’re my heart, my happy place, and I’m glad we found each other.”
He gave her a small smile then softly kissed the corners of her mouth before settling his lips over hers and kissing her thoroughly. “You’re my happy place, too now and forever. You can’t get rid of me, Marti. I’m yours forever.”
“And I’m yours…forever, too.”