Chapter 11 - The Deal
Cole’s video ended after nine seconds.
That was enough.
Jax replayed it twice.
Not to hear the threat.
To study the room.
Hannah was in a metal chair beneath a hanging chain. Behind Cole, a wall clock showed 11:17. A forklift warning mirror reflected a second doorway. For one frame, Aaron Carter appeared in that doorway with a guard beside him.
Alive.
Vince tapped the screen. “Two prisoners, same building.”
“Maybe,” Miriam said. “Could be staged.”
Eli looked at Jax. “We’re going.”
Jax crouched in front of him. “You are not going inside that warehouse.”
“Cole wants me.”
“That’s exactly why.”
“He wants the key.”
“We can give him the key without giving him you.”
Eli’s voice cracked. “My mom is there.”
Jax saw Hannah in the boy’s face then. Same stubborn chin. Same refusal to accept orders when love was involved.
“Listen to me,” Jax said. “Being brave doesn’t mean walking into a trap.”
“What does it mean?”
“It means doing the thing that gives us the best chance to bring them home.”
Eli stared at the floor.
Miriam contacted a federal tactical team she trusted outside the compromised local chain. Response time: forty-five minutes.
Too long.
Cole sent another message.
TWENTY MINUTES.
Jax called him.
Cole answered immediately.
“Been a long time.”
Jax closed his eyes at the sound of his brother’s real voice.
“You look terrible.”
Cole laughed. “You always did know how to ruin a reunion.”
“Let Hannah and Aaron go. You get the key.”
“I need the boy.”
“No.”
“Then your sister dies first.”
Jax’s voice stayed flat. “You kill her, the biometric lock stays shut forever.”
Silence.
Jax had guessed correctly.
Cole needed Hannah alive.
“You always were smarter than people thought,” Cole said.
“And you were always dumber.”
Cole’s breathing changed.
A small victory.
“North loading dock,” Cole said. “Fifteen minutes. Come alone with Eli and the key.”
Jax looked at Miriam.
She shook her head.
Jax said, “I’ll be there.”
He hung up.
Eli whispered, “You said I’m not going inside.”
“You’re not.”
Jax took the brass key from him.
Then Darla looked toward the basement stairs.
A faint metallic click came from above.
Miriam drew her weapon.
May you like
The vault door began to close by itself.
Someone had found them.
