Chapter 51

CHAPTER

FIFTY-ONE

"It's unlocked," Gage announced as he and Kai sat in the SUV. "Now let's see what's on this phone."

Kai leaned closer so he could also see. But he kept one eye open for anyone suspicious. At any moment, he halfway expected the police to surround them or for Rafferty's guys to show up.

But so far, everything was quiet.

"The doctor did get some texts," Gage murmured. "But I'm not really sure what to make of them. They don't scream that he was up to something."

"Most people don't have burner phones unless they're up to something," Kai pointed out.

"Good point. Let me check out his other messages."

Gage scrolled through and let out a grunt.

"What is it?" Kai asked.

"It looks like someone was manipulating him. Listen to this: Fake the test results. Landon responded: I can't lie to my friend. Then there's a picture of Tori with the words: Tell the truth and she'll die. Landon finally asked what the sender wanted him to do. The sender said, pretend everything is fine. We will kill her otherwise, so sell it."

"Wow. I guess that explains Landon's involvement."

"I'd say it does," Gage muttered.

"Look on maps," Kai said. "Let's see where he's been going lately."

Gage did that and looked into recent trips Landon had taken.

On three separate occasions, he went to a location in the middle of nowhere.

If Rafferty had forced Landon to lie about the results of Nathan's examination, there was a possibility that Rafferty was still trying to hold some type of leverage over him.

Maybe that was what had gotten Landon killed.

Kai's gut twisted at the thought of everything that that happened and the lengths these people had gone through to get what they wanted.

It was sickening.

"This place . . ." Gage murmured as he stared at the map on his phone. "It's not actually that far from where we're staying."

"We should head there," Kai said.

"But if this place is what I think it is, we're going to need more than the two of us there."

Kai couldn't argue with that. He glanced at his phone again, but he still had no signal.

He couldn't even call his colleagues and give them an update. But maybe once they were on the road he could.

Landon's cell phone also didn't have any service.

"Let's head back to the cabin for that backup," Kai said. "Then we'll form a plan for finding this Rafferty guy. We'll play it safe and make sure all our bases are covered."

They headed down the road, back to the cabin that Larchmont had rented for them. As they got closer, Gage slowed.

A bad feeling brewed in Kai's gut—though he couldn't put his finger on why. Just finely tuned instincts.

"Gage . . . we shouldn't announce our arrival, just in case," Kai said.

"You think something's wrong?"

"I think it's a really good possibility."

Gage glanced at him another long moment before nodding. "Okay then. Let's play this safe."

Gage pulled off onto the side of the road. Then they both climbed out and started toward the cabin. They gripped their guns as they approached.

But as Kai got closer, he realized that Larchmont's vehicle—he'd had one waiting here at the cabin—was no longer in the driveway.

He frowned.

Where had Larchmont gone? Had he taken Tori, Trevor, and Stephen with him?

Kai wasn't sure, but he needed to find out.

Tori continued to stare at her phone as she tried to reach Kai or Gage.

But it was no use.

Larchmont was probably correct. Some type of jammer had most likely been used.

That only meant trouble. Lots and lots of trouble for Kai and Gage.

She pressed her eyes closed. Dear Lord, please be with them. Protect them. Help us help them.

They headed down the road, toward the rest area.

But when they reached the meeting spot, there was no sign of Kai and Gage.

She glanced at her phone again. Before she could dial any numbers, Larchmont turned to her and held up his phone. A map filled the screen.

"What's that?"

"It's the tracking device I put on their SUV."

"You did what?" She didn't hide the incredulousness from her voice.

"It's just a precaution—perfect for times like these."

She didn't argue. Not right now.

Instead, she leaned closer. "Where are they?"

His jaw hardened. "It looks like they went back to the cabin."

She squinted in confusion. "I don't understand . . ."

"Most likely, Alfie wanted to meet them so he could follow them back to the house."

"What? Wouldn't we have passed them?"

"If we passed them while on the highway, we might not have even noticed them." Larchmont suddenly squealed out of the parking lot. "We need to warn them."

"Should we try to call again?"

"Let's try to text them, at least. But I'm not hopeful it will go through."

"What if we're too late?" She pulled up Kai's number, fingers poised to send him a text.

Larchmont's jaw hardened. "All we can do right now is get there as soon as we can and hope for the best."