Chapter Twenty-Six – Liam #2
I stopped walking and faced Chad. “He’s the guy who kidnapped Mallory. He drove her from Chicago to somewhere near here. He rented the car, but Jonathon said the name of the guy was Donald Henly, not David York.”
“Did he see the picture?” Chad asked.
Nodding, I whispered, “Yes, he saw the picture.”
Chad looked like he was about to get sick.
“Are you okay?” Krista asked.
He stood and then looked at me. “They were always going out looking for girls. I always assumed it was to hook up with them. I never in my wildest imagination thought he would be kidnapping them. Liam, you have to believe me.”
“I do, Chad. I do. He lied to us about Chicago, said he was with you the entire time except for his interview.”
“No, he and David hung out.” He put his hand to his forehead.
“Holy shit. The day before we flew out, Jonathon wasn’t acting right.
He seemed to be preoccupied, nervous almost. He kept texting David.
At the airport, I went to the bathroom and when I walked back up, I heard Jonathon on the phone.
He said something like, ‘You know how to keep her quiet.’ Then when he saw me, he told the person on the phone that he had to go.
He hung up and I laughed and asked if David had a screamer.
That asshole just smiled at me and said yes. ”
Chad sat down and put his head in his hands and started to rock. “Oh God, what if he was talking about Mallory and I laughed it off.”
Krista rubbed his back. “It’s okay, you didn’t know, Chad.”
“Krista is right,” I said as I sat down on the coffee table in front of my brother. “There was no possible way you could have known about Mallory.”
Chad lifted his head and looked like he was about to be sick.
“We need to call Randy,” Billy stated. “I’m starting to think it was Jonathon who cut that gas line on the helicopter this morning because he knew we were getting too close to him. I’m not sure how he managed to avoid the cameras.”
I nodded. “He was also the one looking up the property owners.”
Standing, I walked into the kitchen and got my phone. I hit Randy’s number and waited.
“Liam.”
“Randy, we know who it is.”
“What? How?”
“First, is Jonathon with you?” I asked.
“No. I haven’t been able to get a hold of him since he called me back to Lewistown on another case. He said it was urgent.”
“You have no idea where he is?”
“No, why?”
I shook my head. I wasn’t sure how to come out and say what I needed to say. “Randy, Jonathon has been lying to us.”
He let out a disbelieving laugh. “What do you mean, he’s been lying to us?”
“Just that! He lied about being with Chad in Chicago, I mean, he was with Chad, but Chad said he was gone for hours at a time. And the guy who kidnapped Mallory and drove her to Montana, Chad’s met him before, and he said his name is David York.
He and Jonathon served together in the military and knew one another.
They’re friends, Randy. And Jonathon told me the guy who rented the car was Donald Henly, I think he lied so he wouldn’t use his real name. ”
There was silence for the longest time before Randy finally said, “I need to find out where he is.”
“Has anyone heard from him?”
Randy cleared his throat. “No, no one has heard from him. But don’t worry, I’ll find him.”
“Randy, what if he was the one who cut the gas line this morning?”
He cursed under his breath. “I need to go, Liam. I have to tell the chief all of this so we can get guys looking for Jonathon. Just make sure you keep Mallory safe.”
My stomach lurched. “Shit, I hadn’t even thought about that part yet. Don’t worry, she’ll be safe. I won’t let him anywhere near her.”
“And we still have the second player to deal with, this David guy. We don’t know where he is either. I’ll call you if I have any updates.”
“Randy, we need to find where they were keeping Mallory. If they had other women there, he could be trying to move them.”
“I know, with this new development, I’ll be able to get the clearance to start using the drone, and I’m well aware he was the one looking into property owners.”
I heard him rustling through papers. “I’m at his desk right now and I don’t see anything about the property owners. Jim! I need you to do something for me. Listen, Liam, I need to go. I’ll call you if I find anything.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
Randy made a grunting sound and hung up. I was sure it was hard for him to hear that it was his friend and co-worker who was most likely the person who organized this whole thing.
Walking back into the living room, I looked at Billy, then my brother. “Jonathon is missing. Do you have any idea where he could be? Does he own land that you’re aware of?”
“Land?” Chad asked, confused. “Not that I know of. He grew up in town, and his parents still live in the house Jonathon was raised in.”
“He could have bought some property and not told anyone he was using it for nefarious reasons,” Billy stated.
I glanced out the window. “It’s going to be getting dark soon. Chad, do you want to stay here tonight?”
Chad looked at Krista. “What do you want to do?”
She chewed on her lip. “I think staying here with a group of people might be better.”
“Do you think he’ll come for Mallory?” Chad asked.
I rubbed at the ache in my neck. “I don’t honestly know. If he thinks he’s been found out or could be, my best guess is he’s going to run. I’m not sure he’d risk coming here for Mallory.”
Chad nodded. “Then we’ll stay.”
“I’m going to let Bubba, Larson, Jimmy, and Howdy know what’s going on. We’re going to need everyone to keep an eye out for anything unusual.”
My phone rang and I jumped, causing everyone else in the room to jump as well.
“It’s just Larson,” I said as I answered the phone.
“Liam, we’ve got another mare foaling and something is wrong. I called the vet and he’s on his way, but I think you need to get to the barn.”
“Right, I’m on my way.”
Chad stood. “Where are you going?”
“Mare’s foaling and something is wrong.” I turned to Billy. “Get the rest of the guys up here. When the girls wake up, fill them in on everything. It’s probably best they’re sleeping off the booze. I’m sure Mallory would be freaked out.”
Krista stood. “Do you mind if I head to the kitchen? I cook when I’m nervous.”
I grinned. “Mallory does the same thing.”
“I can’t wait to meet her. I’m sure we’ll be fast friends, and hopefully, when this is all over, you and Chad can get out of your own asses and be brothers.”
Chad’s eyes went wide, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Listen,” Chad stated as he stood and faced me. “Go to the barn, keep your phone on you. I think, just as a precaution, we should have a patrol car at least at the gate.”
“I’ll call Randy on the way to the barn and ask him to send someone. Chad?”
“Yeah?”
“Take care of them, okay?”
He placed his hand on the side of my arm. “I won’t let anything happen to Mallory, or anyone else. I promise you.”
I sighed, still not feeling completely relieved, but glad my brother would be here at the house. I had no idea how desperate Jonathon would get.
“Hopefully this won’t take long.”
I made my way back into the bedroom. Leaning down, I gently kissed Mallory’s forehead and whispered, “I love you, Mal.”
Standing back up, I headed out to my truck. Before I got in, I stood there for a moment. I got the same feeling I had when I thought someone was on the porch. My eyes scanned the area, and I couldn’t see anyone. I pulled out my phone and sent my brother a text.
Me: I have a strange feeling someone is watching me right now.
Chad: We’ll check the area, nothing is going to happen, I promise you. You’re on edge, which is understandable.
One more look around and I shook my head. Chad was right, my nerves were totally on edge. I slipped into the truck and drove away from the house.