Chapter 45

chapter

forty-five

Gage’s thoughts raced as he headed down the road.

He could hardly believe his eyes.

But that had definitely been Cormac going into Rob’s apartment building. Had he done that so he could kill Rob and frame Nia?

Maybe this guy was guilty.

Because apparently Austin hadn’t seen anyone else suspicious enter or leave the building.

He reminded himself that someone could have altered the video. After all, he’d done it. And someone had removed the footage of Nia coming into the apartment building.

But if that wasn’t the case . . . did that just leave Cormac?

Gage didn’t know, but he didn’t like this. However, he and Nia were slowly inching closer to answers.

They would need to be careful. These guys had Nia’s sister . . . a twist he’d not seen coming.

They pulled up to the fishing cabin again. This time, Gage parked farther down the road.

He wanted to keep the element of surprise.

Nia’s phone buzzed again. “It’s from the same people who sent me the photo of Sophia.”

“What does it say?”

She stared at the screen. “That I need to bring them the cyber key by eleven a.m. tomorrow or she’ll die.” Her voice cracked.

“The cyber key?” Gage asked.

Realization rolled over her features. “It’s something Rob developed. How could I have forgotten? It’s this extra layer of security for his apps. No one can access them without it.”

“You have that information?”

She shook her head. “No, only Rob had it.”

“So why would they think you had it?”

She thought about it a moment before shrugging. “I have no idea. Except that they’re desperate. Maybe they think I can find it or figure it out.”

“Can you?”

“No, not really. That’s the purpose of the key.” She sighed. “I . . . I don’t know what to do.”

“Ask where to meet.” Gage nodded toward her phone.

With trembling fingers, she typed the words.

The sender responded with, “We’ll let you know closer to the time.”

Nia swallowed hard. “I only have eighteen hours, Gage.”

His throat tightened. “We’ll figure something out. Starting with Cormac.” He nodded at the man’s house. “Maybe he can help.”

This time, Nia wouldn’t walk up to the house with him. Not after seeing that video of Cormac.

From Gage’s position on the side of the road, he could see the backyard. “The boat is back.”

Nia glanced at the vessel bobbing in the water. “Yes, it is.”

That should mean that Cormac was back also.

Now it was time to find some answers.

Nia understood why Gage wanted her to stay put. But that didn’t mean she liked it.

As she watched Gage approach the house, she gripped the armrest.

She also kept an eye out for that alligator. So far, she hadn’t seen it.

It was getting dark outside now, which could work to their advantage or disadvantage, depending.

She wanted to be out there. Wanted to help him.

If they could talk to Cormac . . .

He could tell them what was going on.

Then maybe Nia could help her sister.

Or what if he was the one who took Sophia?

Her throat tightened.

But that theory didn’t feel right. Cormac was on the run. Hiding out. Not in a position to grab Sophia.

Nia’s thoughts raced as she tried to make sense of everything.

She watched as Gage went to the front door. He didn’t knock. Instead, he crouched low and lifted his head to look in the window.

The shades at the front of the house appeared to be drawn. She thought there might be a light on inside, but she couldn’t be certain.

Gage began to walk around back.

She held her breath. Soon, he’d be out of sight and Nia wouldn’t know what was going on.

She didn’t like that thought.

But Gage seemed perfectly capable of taking care of himself. She had to remind herself of that fact.

She continued to watch.

Then Gage was gone. Out of sight. Behind the house.

She pressed her eyelids together and prayed he would be okay. That he’d stay safe.

Still, she could hardly breathe.

She waited.

And waited.

Then a sound split the air.

Gunfire.

Nia’s heart rate ratcheted.

Had Gage pulled the trigger?

Or had it been Cormac?

Without thinking, she opened the car door and darted toward the back of the house.