Page 86 of Max's Mission

“Mommy’s gonna be mad.” Em’s voice was soft, and she dipped her head.

“Maybe at first. Mostly, she’ll be relieved you’re safe.” He dialed Marchand.

The sound of an engine revving had him glancing over his shoulder as the phone rang in his ear. A beat-up gray truck barreled toward them.

Tad stepped further off the road.

“Marchand.”

The marshal’s voice sounded in his ear, but Tad didn’t respond. He couldn’t. The face glaring at him through the windshield of the truck sent ice through his veins.

The pickup rocked to a halt just feet away, and the driver’s door flew open.

Berry stepped out, a handgun clutched in his fist and pointed right at Tad. “Hang up the phone.”

“Gaultier? Hey, you there?”

Marchand’s voice quieted as Tad lowered the phone. He pretended to hang up, then shoved the device back in his pocket.

“There’s no need for that, Fred. Put the gun away.”

“Call it insurance. Get in the truck.” Fred motioned to the passenger side.

“Let me take Emily back to her mother first.”

“So you can sic her brute of a boyfriend on me? I don’t think so.” A mirthless smile flashed across his face. “Call the girl insurance too.” As quickly as it appeared, the smile disappeared. “Get in.”

Emily clutched Tad’s neck. “He’s a bad man.”

“He is. But we need to do what he says for now, okay? I won’t let him hurt you.”

She hugged him a little tighter and nodded.

Tad walked forward, giving in to the only option he had. He got in the truck.

Thirty-Nine

“Emily!”

Max’s phone trilled as the echo of his voice faded, startling him. It wasn’t Margot’s ringtone, but one he used for miscellaneous callers.

Yanking the device from his pocket, he saw a number he didn’t recognize.

“Carson,” he answered.

“Berry’s got Tad and the kid.”

All the air froze in Max’s lungs at Marchand’s words. His knees wobbled, threatening to give out.Dear God.“What? You’re sure?”

“Yes. Gaultier called me. But he never spoke directly to me. I heard him address Berry, then there was a bunch of muffled conversation, but I clearly heard him ask to take Emily back to her mom. I’ve sent Wurst and Beale down to his last known. Phillips is with me. I’m calling you from his phone. The call with Gaultier is still active. I can’t hear much. I think he’s sitting on it.”

Heart thumping, Max’s adrenaline spiked. That was good. They could use that. “Text me the number for Tad’s phone.” He didn’t wait for Marchand to respond, just hung up.

“Ford!” Max’s bellow filled the jungle.

Heavy rustling came from his left. He didn’t wait for his friend to arrive. Instead, he dialed Asher’s number.

In seconds, Asher picked up. “Horn.”

---