Page 93 of Building Courage
The phone vibrated again, and he looked at the text.
She’s stopping at a grocery store to talk to a blond in a Nissan. She has a flat. Brynn has the jack out, and the blonde’s getting the temp. I’m going to help them.
His phone rang. Denotti sounded out of breath. “Some guy approached them and pulled a gun. He forced them into Brynn’s car. He’s holding a gun on them from the back seat. I’m following them.”
Tucker’s heart rate skyrocketed, and he dragged in a breath. “Where are you?”
“We’re traveling northwest. They’re possibly going to one of the marinas close by.”
“What does the guy look like?”
“Tall, dark hair, in good shape.”
“It has to be Tim Garner. Ahmad thought he was the ring leader. Leave the line open, and let me know which marina when you get there.” He put the cell phone on speaker and set it in the cup holder. Fighting his way free of the airport traffic was beyond frustrating when every nerve and muscle in his body was tensed for action.
“They’re going to Safe Harbor.”
“I’ll be there ASAP. Keep an eye on them and make sure you know which slip is theirs.”
“We won’t be able to enter the docking area without a pass, Tucker.”
He had to calm down and compartmentalize. Work the problem. “We’ll swim in if we have to. If he gets them on board and sails out of the marina into open water, they won’t stand a chance.”
“Do you have your weapon on you?” Denotti asked.
“It’s in the trunk in my go bag. Even with a conceal and carry permit, I had to leave it in the trunk at the airport. Don’t let them out of your sight, Knotty.”
“Roger that.”
“Hang up and call the cops. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
*
Brynn concentrated on the road ahead of her. The idea of ramming one of the cars ahead to cause an accident played through her mind, but the barrel of the gun, only inches from her head, prevented her from doing it.
There had to be cameras in the parking area of the grocery store. Tim would be on the feed. They’d catch him. But not until he’d done whatever he meant to do to them.
“Is it drugs or something else?” she asked.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he said.
“I’d rather not.”
Brynn glanced up into the rearview mirror and saw him smirk.
“You won’t have much choice.”
Yes, she would. Chad had caught her off guard. That wouldn’t happen again. She’d die fighting. No matter what it took.
Tim pressed the barrel of the gun against the nape of her neck. “Turn here, drive into the parking lot, and park.”
Brynn pulled into the first available parking slot, put the car in park, and turned off the engine. She’d been gripping the steering wheel so hard her fingers cramped, and she flexed them.
“How long have you been planning this?” she asked.
“Since the two of you came on board the Arora. I punctured Jess’s tire and waited for her to pull over. I knew she’d call you.”
“Why us?” Brynn asked.