Page 56 of Shared By Her Brother's Best Friends

“Fuck!” I snarl, pacing the room.

“Hold on, I’m not done,” Bess chastises.

“What? Without Kane we’re fucked how else can we find Max?” I snarl.

“Through Jess,” Ty says thoughtfully.

“Exactly,” Bess says gesturing to Ty while looking at me. “My guys searched for info about Jess and found some very interesting information.”

“What did they find?” Jax asks.

“Three months ago, Jess used a card to book flights to Mexico. Shortly after doing this, she closed the bank account that the card belonged to. That in itself isn’t too suspicious, she could be booking a vacation and people change banks all the time. But what is odd is that she didn’t book the flights for herself. She booked them for a Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and three children all with the same last name.”

“Friends of hers?” I ask.

“Well, we’ve no way to be sure since the surname is so common. But the flight is for next week. Given the timing and the fact that she only has two kids, there are some red flags,” Bess says slowly.

“So, what? Do you think Jessica is in on the kidnapping? That Kane paid her off to get Max out of the country?” Ty asks, stroking his chin.

“It’s possible.”

“Why the man though? Couldn’t she just fly with the kids alone? Why would she and her kids have to go with them at all? Hell, why would she be involved at all?” Jax asks, confused.

“To make sure she follows orders,” I reply darkly. “With someone there to keep an eye on her and her kids and keep her in line, she won’t be able to have any last-minute second thoughts. And I imagine her reason is simple and the same reason anyone does anything terrible, for money.”

“Exactly. Plus, a family traveling will arouse far less suspicion if Max is reported missing,” Bess explains.

“Shit. Okay, so why did they go today if the flight isn’t until tomorrow?” I say.

“Maybe they’re worried we’re getting too close, that Emma might get Max back before they can go?” Ty reasons.

“This is going to kill, Emma,” Jax says glumly, “She’s already been through so much, to learn that her friend might be in on it could tip her over the edge.”

“Then we don’t tell her. At least not yet,” I insist. “I know Emma won’t like us hiding things from her, but we need to keep her calm. We can’t worry about her acting irrationally.”

“Okay. But that still doesn’t solve our problem, we don’t know where they went. How do we find Jessica before they leave?” Jax asks before adding, “We might need to tell Emma, she’ll know better than any of us where her friend might go.”

“No need. I think we might be able to find her,” Bess says smugly, “I’ve asked my guys to run checks on Jessica’s cards, if she uses it, we’ll know, and it will lead us right to her.”

“If she’s smart, she won’t use it at all,” Ty mutters.

“Fuck! So we’re still no closer to finding Max,” I groan, punching the wall in anger before resuming my pacing.

We resume the same debate we’ve had going around in circles over the pros and cons of waiting for a ransom or for Jessica to use her card, or come up on the FBI’s radar in some other way, versus agreeing to work with the FBI and hoping they have the intel to bring Kane down and rescue Max in time.

When Bess’ phone rings we all jump up as if electrocuted, certain that this must mean there’s news. She answers it, her face impassive and neutral as she listens to the person on the other line.

“And that was how long ago?” she says. My irritation flares as I wait, unable to know what’s being said.

“How far?”

Again, I try to control my frustration at the lack of transparency in the conversation.

“Alright, thanks, Chuck, I owe you one,” she finishes before hanging up.

“Well?” we ask in unison, looking to Bess.

“We may have a lead. We picked up her card usage. My guys are going to send some cops to search the area and see if there’s any sign of them. There’s a chance she may have moved on straight away, but it’s worth a shot.”

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