Page 21 of Preying Heart
“Sure. But why would they contract you to rescue me? I’m not a human trafficking victim.”
“Anyone else who could have gotten this picture?”
She squirms in her seat but shakes her head. “I’ve no idea.”
I slap the desk, startling her, and then get into her face. “You want to get out of this alive, you’d better start sharing everything you know. Doesn’t it freak you out that someone is sending pictures of you to strange men you don’t know and offering a million dollars? That kind of puts a big target on your back. Doesn’t it?”
“It does, but you already have me in custody.” She makes air quotes around the word custody. “I’m in the middle of nowhere Idaho on an unmarked property with a man who barged into my motel room with a gun, and I shouldn’t be freaked out?”
I take a breath and back away from her to give her more breathing room. “Sorry. It’s been a long day, so the sooner we get this interview over with, the sooner I can figure out the best course of action.”
“Sure. The modeling agencies I applied to have pictures, and I kept some for myself in an album at home. I’m sure Mrs. Greasley could have kept a few shots. She paid for the glamour shots.”
“How about your brother, Slade Bruckner?”
She winces but has the sense to nod. “Yes, I gave him a few glossies.”
“Tell me if you recognize this voice.” I push play on the conversation I recorded.
She leans forward as the sound of the phone ringing comes through the speaker, but as soon as the rough man’s voice answers, her expression changes and she wouldn’t look me in the eye.
“Who is it?” I demand.
“It’s not my brother, okay?”
“I didn’t expect your brother to have that kind of money. Anyone else? Congressman Greasley, perhaps? Or one of his staff members?
“The voice sounds old—like a smoker’s voice.”
“You recognize this phone number?” I show her the number I called.
“No, but it could be a burner phone.”
“Let’s give this guy a call.”
She sucks in a hasty breath. “You’re not going to tell him you have me, are you?”
“No, of course not, but he’ll want an update.”
“Don’t call.” She holds out her hand. “Heath, if you want me to trust you and buy your story of being one of the good guys, don’t call and tell him you have me. He knows where you live. He might send thugs to come get me.”
“My place isn’t called the Fortress for nothing. They won’t get across the ravine or the booby traps I set on the trail or past my dog. It’s your turn. Tell me everything you can about Gavin, your brother, and any enemies you have.”
“And then you’ll protect me?”
“Yeah, definitely. You’ve come to my home seeking refuge, and you’re under my protection as long as you stay on my property. You step a foot past my gates, you’re on your own.”
“Pinky swear.” She wiggles her pinkie and hooks it around mine. “There’s only one slight problem. I’m still pregnant, and I need to see a doctor. Will your protection extend to the doctor’s office?”
“Yes, but there’s only one doctor who can be trusted to stay quiet. You’ll need a new name and cover story.”
“In other words, you’re also going to have to trust me not to talk.”
The hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach grows. “I guess we’ll both have to mistrust each other enough to trust. Remember, I go down, you go down.”
“I know.” She removes the towel and finger combs through her wet hair. “I’ll tell you all about Gavin, the Greasleys, and how my brother got mixed up with them.”
I pour her a glass of sweet tea to let her throat relax.
