Her Only Son (19 page)

Kinsey’s parents, Curtis and Donna, were settling in to watch television before bed when they saw their daughter’s picture flash on the screen. Donna reached over and touched her husband’s arm. They listened to the newscaster accuse Kinsey of kidnapping and how she was currently on the run from authorities.

Donna grabbed her phone and called Kinsey. No answer. Next she tried Sheila.

“Hello? Sheila?”

“Hi, Donna. You okay?”

“No, I’m not. Have you seen the news?”

“I haven’t.” She recalled her visit with Brice and panic set in. “What’s wrong?”

“Please, just get over here as quickly as you can.”

In Texas, Tessa was also watching Kinsey’s ordeal. She placed her hand to her heart and whispered, “Oh, Kinsey, what have you done?”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Brice rushed through the airport. As soon as he exited the plane, he saw Kinsey’s story being reported on the television in the waiting area. He couldn’t believe everything had fallen apart in the short time he’d been gone and he cussed himself for leaving. He should have been there for Kinsey and he let her down. He had to get back to the compound and talk to Sorina.

Donna was pacing by the living room window, waiting for Sheila to arrive. She watched her car pull into the driveway, followed closely by a black van. Two men exited the van as Sheila was getting out of her car. She watched one of the men grab Sheila by the arm and escort her to the front door.

She rushed to the door and opened it, addressing the two men flanking Sheila.

“Let go of her this instant! Who are you?”

They pushed their way inside and gave Sheila a little shove in Donna’s direction.

“Where is Kinsey Garrick?”

Donna felt her legs go weak. “We don’t know where she is. What’s going on?”

“You’re Curtis and Donna Garrick, correct?”

Curtis stepped in from the other room. “Yes, we are. What is that about?”

“Kinsey Garrick is your daughter?”

Donna answered, her voice shaking. “Yes, she is. Please, tell me she’s all right.”

“I have no idea, but we’re not going anywhere until her capture is confirmed.” The man paused and looked around. “She hasn’t contacted you?”

Donna shook her head and Curtis walked up to steady her. “We haven’t heard from her.” She looked to Curtis. “I think I have to sit down.”

One of the men looked at Sheila. “Who are you?”

Sheila walked over and sat next to Donna. “I’m her best friend.”

“Have you heard from her?”

“No, I haven’t. I came over to see Curtis and Donna because they saw something on the news that upset them.” She looked to Donna and back to the man. “I don’t even know what’s going on.”

He stood for a moment and studied them. “You have another daughter, correct? Brianna?”

“Yes,” Curtis answered, “but she’s not home right now and she better not be harmed in anyway.”

The man laughed. “Call her and tell her she needs to get home. We want all of you in one place until this ordeal is over.”

Donna couldn’t hold the tears any longer. “Oh, Curtis!”

He rubbed his hand across her back and dialed Brianna’s number.

Keith found a hotel off the beaten path and pulled into the parking lot.

“It’s not the best, but it’s what we have for now.” He sat for a moment, contemplating. “You wait in the car while I get a room. We can’t risk anyone recognizing you.”

Kinsey nodded and continued nursing Ryker.

A few moments later, he returned to the car with a room key. He pulled to the side of the building and parked in front of their room. He got out and looked around before opening the passenger door and leading Kinsey inside.

Kinsey sat on the bed with Ryker and watched Keith peek out the window. She chuckled at him.

“Yeah, cause that’s not suspicious looking.”

“Can’t people look out a window anymore?”

“Not when they’re peeking through a slit in the curtains.”

“Look, Kinsey, I’ve decided to keep you safe and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. If Hakon knew I already had you in custody, with no plans to bring you in, I’d be the one needing protection.”

She studied him for a moment. “Why the change of heart? You’re the one who continually stalked me, and in case you need a reminder, caused a serious accident for my sister.”

“Yes, I know.” He sat on the bed across from her. “ Please, understand one thing. The people who work for Hakon are in a choke hold just like everyone else, but things are out of control and he needs to be stopped.”

“And exactly how do you plan on doing that?”

He stood and paced the room. “I honestly have no idea. The only way to stop a man like Hakon is to put a bullet in his brain.”

He sat on the bed again. “He has a lot of powerful people in his pocket, Kinsey; mainly because he blackmails them.”

“He’s a dangerous man.”

Keith laughed out loud. “You have no idea.” He paused. “I’m going to go get some food.” He pointed to her bag from the diner. “Is that still any good? Want me to get you something else?”

She opened the bag. “It’s just a sandwich. It should be fine.”

“Okay. Do not leave this room, Kinsey. I’ll take you anywhere you need to go and will keep you as safe as I can in the process, but you have to trust me.”

She bit into the sandwich and studied him. “I trust you, Keith. I don’t have a choice.”

“No, you don’t. I’m just going right down the street. I won’t be gone long.”

Kinsey turned on the television and flipped through the channels. Her heart stopped when her story appeared on the screen. Her face truly was being broadcast everywhere.

Keith returned to find Kinsey sobbing on the bed; Ryker slept peacefully beside her. He set his food on the table and sat with her.

“I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe. Please, believe that, Kinsey.”

She pointed to the television. “My face is everywhere. Someone will recognize me eventually.”

“We need to change your appearance.”

She shot him a confused look. “How are we supposed to do that?”

“It doesn’t have to be major.” He gave her face a quick look. “We could cut your hair and change the color.”

She glanced at Ryker. She wasn’t happy about the idea, but she’d do it to keep him safe.

Keith stood and started for the door. “I’m sure there’s a store still open that sells boxed hair color.” He turned to her. “Any preference on color?”

She shook her head. “Something that will cover this.” She held up a piece of her brown hair.

“I think you should go a dark shade of red. It should cover well and they’re not looking for a redhead.”

“Whatever we have to do.”

He headed for the door again and Kinsey stopped him.

“What about your food?”

“It can wait until I get back.” Before he closed the door, he added, “We’ll make this work, Kinsey, one way or another, and I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

She simply nodded and he closed the door.

The next morning, Kinsey stood in front of the bathroom room mirror trying to adjust to her new hair, now cut above her shoulders, and a dark, deep red. Keith came and stood in the doorway.

“It actually looks pretty good on you.”

She snorted. “It’s definitely different.”

“Right now, different is good.”

She took a deep breath and pushed past him. “Whatever it takes.”

He watched her walk to the bed and pick up Ryker.

“Do you have any place in mind that you can go? Someone you can trust?”

She thought of her parents and Sheila, but he read her thoughts.

“You can’t go to your parents, Kinsey. That will be the first place they’ll look. I wouldn’t be surprised if they haven’t already looked for you there.”

The thought of it sent a panic through her. “You don’t think they’d do anything to them, do you?”

He contemplated. “I don’t think so. They’re more interested in finding you, but they’ll definitely be watching them in case you decide to pay a visit.”

“Should I try to call and warn them? They don’t even know what’s happening.”

“I’m sure they’ve seen the news by now. They know, Kinsey.”

“Oh, God! They must be worried sick.”

“We have to get you somewhere safe. Someplace you can stay without having to be on the run until we can figure this out.”

“Can you get me to Gallup, New Mexico?”

“New Mexico?”

“Yes, I have friends down there, Ted and Margaret, who may be able to help.”

“Okay, New Mexico it is, but first I need to change out the rental car, just in case.”

He grabbed the keys off the table. “Get your stuff packed and ready. As soon as I get back, we’ll hit the road.”

Keith was pulling into a rental car parking lot when his cell phone rang. He looked down to see Hakon’s name. He took a deep breath and answered.

“This is Keith.”
Hakon’s voice filled his ear. “Well, do you have her?”

“No, Sir, I don’t. She never got off the bus in Phoenix, but I talked to someone at the bus terminal and they said that bus made a stop in Flagstaff. I’m backtracking there now to see if anyone’s spotted her there.”

“Son-of-a-bitch, Keith! We need her in custody! If you can’t do your job, I’ll send people who will do it for you!”

“I can do my job just fine. I’m your top recruiter, remember?”

“Prove it! Find her sorry ass and get my property back or you’ll pay the price. I’ve got men at her parent’s house. They’ll remain there until Kinsey is captured.”

“There’s no reason to harm her parents.”

“Going soft on me, Keith?”

“No, Sir, but her parents are innocent.”

“No one is innocent. They’ll be prisoners in their home until I get my hands around their daughter’s throat.”

“Yes, Sir.” He disconnected the call. He knew what Hakon was capable of and if he wanted to use Kinsey’s parents as pawns, he would find a way to get the message out to Kinsey. Come home or your parents will pay the price. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that.