Chapter 5 - Hannah’s Call
Jax answered on the second ring.
“Hannah?”
For three seconds, there was only static.
Then his sister whispered, “Don’t say my name.”
Jax turned away from the others. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m alive.”
“Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Hannah—”
“Listen to me for once.”
That sounded like her. Twelve years vanished. She was seventeen again, standing in their father’s garage with crossed arms and a stare sharp enough to cut wire.
Jax lowered his voice. “Eli is safe.”
A breath escaped her. Half sob, half relief.
“Does he know?” she asked.
“Know what?”
“That you held him the day he was born.”
Jax looked at the photograph on the counter.
“No.”
“Good.”
“Hannah, Cole’s men came through the kitchen. We need help.”
“No police.”
“I know.”
“Not even Sheriff Bell.”
Jax’s stomach tightened.
Sheriff Bell had been the federal task force’s local contact twelve years ago.
“Why?”
“Because Cole owns him.”
The front windows suddenly flashed red and blue.
Three patrol cars rolled into the parking lot.
Jax watched uniformed officers step out.
At the center of them was Sheriff Martin Bell, heavier and grayer than Jax remembered.
“Hannah,” Jax said, “Bell just arrived.”
“Then get Eli out the back.”
“You said Cole’s men tagged the place.”
“I know. You have maybe two minutes before the real problem arrives.”
“What real problem?”
Her voice dropped.
“Cole himself.”
The diner door rattled as Bell tried the lock.
“Jax!” the sheriff called. “Open up. We got reports of shots fired.”
Darla stared at Jax.
He motioned toward the kitchen.
Everybody moved.
Eli stayed beside him.
“Mom?” the boy asked.
Jax put the phone on speaker for one second.
“Honey?” Hannah said.
Eli’s face collapsed with relief. “Mom, where are you?”
“I’m okay. Listen to Uncle Jax.”
Eli looked up at him.
Jax had not heard that title directed at him in more than a decade.
Hannah continued, “And Eli… don’t give him the key.”
Jax frowned. “What key?”
Eli immediately covered the front pocket of his jacket.
Bell pounded on the glass harder.
“Hannah, what key?”
The line went dead.
Jax looked at Eli.
The boy slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a small brass key taped beneath the folded paper.
Stamped into the metal were two characters:
May you like
C.M.
Cole Mercer.
