Page 11 of Sebastian

The last thing Emelia remembered was the old woman taking her shoes off as she lifted her feet onto the sofa.

CHAPTER SIX

Emelia opened her eyes slowly, the pounding headache telling her that she wasn’t where she was supposed to be. The dim light in the metal building seemed out of place, considering where she thought she was. Then she started remembering.

“Sorry about that,” said the old woman. “You weren’t supposed to find us.”

Holy shit. These old people were her bank robbers. She stared at the elderly couple, frowning.

“You’re going to make a call. Once you do, we’ll leave you here for a while to think about your actions.” She was being scolded. By bank robbers! Think about her actions? What about their actions?

“My actions?” said Emelia.

“Don’t argue. We know who you are. Emelia Stanton, sister to Magnolia, Maddie, and Ellie. Daughter to Chief Stanton and granddaughter to Ghost Stanton. That’s quite a legacy, young lady. Myrtle has written down exactly what you’re to say. If you veer from it, I will shoot you.”

“He’s not lying,” said the old woman. “Your friends are already dead. It’s a shame that all of you were sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

Ed handed her the phone and ordered her to dial the number. Her hands were zip-tied to one of the metal supports of the building, but she could dial the number. She prayed that Sebastian would answer and he would know what to do.

“When is Em coming home?” asked Forrest.

“Soon,” said Sebastian, slowing his run as they reached the main trails. “She’s working on that bank robbery case that everyone was talking about. Seven banks in sixteen weeks. Someone is really good at their work.”

“Well, she’ll be home soon, and you two lovebirds can start your life together.”

“What about you and Maddie? Is she leaving the Pentagon any time soon?” asked Sebastian.

“Brother, I wish I knew. She’s acting really strange, and I’m not sure why. I thought we were doing alright, and then when I was supposed to fly up and see her a week ago, she canceled last minute.”

“That’s not weird, Forrest. That’s a woman. She’s probably just swamped with work, that’s all.”

“I guess.”

They walked the remainder of the way to the offices, finishing their morning PT along with the others. As the meeting began, his phone rang, and he recognized Em’s number. At first, he ignored it. She knew that they were in their meetings at this time.

Then he realized she knew they were in their morning meetings at this time. She wouldn’t call unless it was important.

“Hello?”

“Sebastian? Listen carefully, don’t interrupt.” He waved at the room, silencing them as he stood with the phone on speaker. “I am being held captive by the individuals responsible for the bank robberies. They want five million dollars in small bills. I will call back in forty-eight hours to give you the drop.”

“Em. Em, don’t hang up,” he said in a panicked voice.

“I’m sorry, Sebastian. I’ve read the ransom request, and that’s all I can do. I love you.”

The line went dead, and every man in the room stared at Sebastian and then turned to see the fierce expression on Chief’s face.

“Get your weapons. We’re going after my daughter.”

“We’re all going,” said Leif. Major, Brix, Forrest, Garr, and Alistair all nodded at him. Beside Chief were Hex, Jalen, Tiger, Torro, Milo, and Chase. Chief nodded at his friends as they headed toward the weapons room.

“Jet is ready,” said Eric, sticking his head in the door. “Better news is that she has her tracking devices on and comms is active. You’ll have the precise location once you’re in the air. Bring our girl home.”

Boarding the jet, they all took their seats, and Alistair was pleased to see Clark at the controls, along with Autumn. He just smiled at her and then focused on their new task. An hour before landing, the information came through on the exact location.

“She’s in a neighborhood in Maryland near the water. Canton. From the GPS, it appears she’s in the backyard of a home in a small shed. We’re not seeing any activity at the house right now, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.”

“I’m going to kill them,” said Sebastian.