No One to Trust - Iris Johansen [73]
“He knows he’s not to go near the water alone.”
“Kids aren’t always predictable. And why wouldn’t Chavez come in and kill the rest of us if he’d found out where we are?” Galen went past her into Barry’s room and flipped on the light. “The window is still locked. If someone took him, they had to come through the house.”
“We should have heard him.”
“Maybe not.” He crossed to the bed. “It depends on how good—” He picked up a sheet of paper from the nightstand. “Shit.”
“What is it?” She ran over to him. “What does it say?”
He handed it to her.
Sorry, Galen. I have to have the money. It’s the key to unlock the box I’m in. I’ll call you.
Judd
She couldn’t believe it. She suddenly remembered watching Judd smiling at Barry as her son drew back the bow he had made him. He couldn’t have done this. It didn’t make sense.
She had to believe it. Her son was gone.
The note dropped from her hand. “I’m going to kill him.”
“Stand in line.” Galen moved toward the door. “I’m going to get some clothes on and see if Hughes or any of his guards saw them leave. If I get any leads, I’ll come back for you, Elena.”
“The hell you will.” She was already heading for her room. “Give me two minutes. I’m coming with you.”
None of the guards had seen any sign of Judd or Barry.
“I’m going to kill him,” she repeated through set teeth as they walked back to the cottage. “And if he hurts Barry, I’m going to crucify him.”
“I don’t think he’ll hurt him.”
“But you don’t know. I never dreamed he’d take him. How can I be sure what else he’ll do? The bastard is an assassin.”
“You saw something in him that made you trust him before this happened.”
“And he betrayed me. Just like Luis betrayed me.” She turned on him. “And you brought him into our lives.”
“That’s true,” he said quietly.
“You should never have—” She swallowed. “Why am I blaming you? Barry is my responsibility. I didn’t have to trust Judd. I should have seen through him.”
“I’d rather you blamed me than yourself.” He started up the porch steps. “Come on, let’s get some coffee.”
She stared at him incredulously. “Sit around and drink coffee?”
“No, sit around and wait for Judd to call.”
“I can’t sit here any longer.” Elena got up and went to the window. “What if he doesn’t call?”
“He’ll call.”
“How do you know? He won’t try to bargain with us. He’ll go straight to Chavez.”
“He said he’d call.”
“Well, he hasn’t. It’s almost dark. Barry’s been gone all day.”
“He’ll probably try to dig in and get settled first. It only seems like a long time to us.”
“It seems like forever.” Her hand was shaking as she lifted it to rub her temple. “What if Barry’s scared? What if he’s hurt?”
“It wouldn’t be to Judd’s advantage to hurt Barry. He’s a commodity now.”
“Commodity? He’s not a commodity. He’s a human being, a little boy.” She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “And he’s alone with that damn killer.”
“Listen to me. Judd isn’t going to hurt him. If he wants money, Barry has to be alive and well. That’s the only—”
The house phone rang. She hurried across the room and picked up the receiver. “Hello.”
“Hello, Elena,” Judd said. “I called on the house phone so that you and Galen could both pick up on the extensions.”
“You bastard. Where’s my son?”
“He’s safe.”
Galen disappeared into the living room and she heard him pick up the receiver. “What the hell are you doing, Judd?”
“Surviving. I told you that I was going to have to take my fate into my own hands. Logan’s taking too long. I could be dead before he’s able to get the heat off me.”
“And surviving is kidnapping Barry?”
“Surviving is getting millions of dollars from Chavez to bribe all the people I need to bribe. That kind of money can make a lot of people forget I ever existed.”
“Sweet. And trading a kid for the money is really great.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers. I never claimed to be an angel.”
“I want my son back,” Elena said. “If I don’t get him, I’ll track you down and slit your throat.”
“Always the gentle lady,” Judd said. “I don’t blame you. I didn’t call to make excuses.