Page 64 of The Agent
Caleb sighed. “I already told you, I understand what drove you to it. The James case hit you hard, I get that.”
The detective gave a sad nod. “Yeah, it did.” He glanced at the four men standing nearby. They were armed and ready to take down the bastard whose clutches Marley had willingly put herself in. “But I’m not sure that excuses the way I acted.”
Caleb didn’t answer, too distracted by the relieved cry that rang in his ear. Patrick had just taken Marley to her father, who Caleb figured was tied up as he heard Marley ask about his wrists. Sam Sr. was apparently in perfect health, unlike his son. “Did you have to knock him unconscious?” Marley asked.
“He tried to attack me,” came Patrick’s muffled voice. “It’s only a sedative, sweet pea. He’ll come to in an hour or so.”
As Caleb listened, Marley tried to convince Patrick to untie her father, but he wouldn’t have it, insisting that her brother would take care of the bindings when he woke up. Now that Marley had seen to her family’s safety, Patrick was all action, going on about the money and the new IDs he’d arranged for them.
Footsteps echoed in Caleb’s ears. His muscles tensed. They were heading for the door.
“I’m so happy we’re doing this,” Marley said, sounding nearly giddy. “I’ve always wanted to go to South America.” She giggled. “The most exciting place I’ve ever been to is Disneyland.”
Disneyland—there it was, the go word.
Caleb and his team sprung into action.
“Let’s move,” Hernandez hissed.
The men emerged from their hiding place, moving in unison toward the Kincaid bungalow. They reached the front lawn just as Patrick and Marley stepped outside.
Grier’s eyes flashed with red-hot fury at the sight of Caleb and the other men. He spun around as two cruisers, along with an unmarked SUV, flew into sight. One cruiser drove directly onto the front lawn, another came to a grinding halt in thedriveway, while the third skidded over the curb. Car doors opened and slammed, men in tactical gear, carrying gleaming black weapons, swarmed the yard.
Caleb heard his own voice shout, “Hands in the air, Grier!”
Rather than obey, Grier’s right hand snapped down to his waist and he whipped out a gun. Caleb’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach as Grier then took that gun and jammed it into Marley’s temple.
“I’ll shoot her!” Grier screamed, his face bright crimson.
“Put the gun down,” Caleb ordered. He took another step forward.
“Don’t move!” Patrick yelled.
Caleb stopped in his tracks and shot a sideways look at Agent Tony D’Amato, who was kneeling behind the open door of the police cruiser on the lawn. D’Amato lifted his rifle slightly, asking a silent question, which Caleb answered with a hard glare. D’Amato wanted to take out Grier. Caleb wanted the same thing. But there was no way in hell he was doing anything until Marley was out of the line of fire.
He forced himself not to look at her, but it was damn near impossible. Her heart-shaped face was ashen. She stood motionless, with Grier’s weapon pressed to her temple.
“You’re completely surrounded,” Caleb told Grier. He lowered his voice. “Just let her go and give yourself up, Patrick. This doesn’t have to end with another life on your hands.”
“I killed that agent in self-defense! I’m not a murderer!”
“Of course not,” Caleb soothed. He took another step. “But you will be, if you use that gun on Marley.”
“Don’t say her name,” Grier hissed. “She doesn’t belong to you. She belongs to me!”
Another step. “Then I’m sure you don’t want to hurt her, Patrick. I know you care about her.”
Grier’s features twisted. “She’s mine.” He jabbed the gun into Marley’s temple again. “But I will kill her if you sons of bitches don’t get out of my way. Marley and I have a plane to catch.”
Caleb moved closer, then stopped and caught Marley’s eye. The panic on her face tore at his insides, but he pushed away the primal urge to launch himself at Patrick Grier and wrench Marley away from him. Instead, he sent her the signal they’d agreed on back at her house, two quick nods and the lift of his right shoulder.
She answered with an imperceptible nod and followed his orders to a T.
Pride mingled with the fear pumping through Caleb’s blood as Marley made her move. With a little cry, she pretended to trip, then dove to the side, pressing her body flat to the ground.
While Patrick blinked with shock at losing his hostage, Caleb charged forward. “Put the gun down!” he yelled.
Grier blinked again. He suddenly snapped out of whatever trance he’d gone into, his lips tightening. He stared at Caleb running toward him, then at Marley, who was a couple of yards to his left.
