Part 34 (1/2)

38.

Chuck graciously complied with their request, and they landed on Imnek mere minutes past the hour mark. They disembarked into darkness, and Jake headed for the ferry station with Reef, Kirra, and Rex, while Landon and the rest of the crew headed for the sheriff's station and the local SAR headquarters. Without Cole present-he and Bailey were on a flight back, but weren't due to arrive until tomorrow evening-Gage ranked highest in Yancey search and rescue and regional command, with Imnek local Rodney Neary second in regional command. The only problem before their search began in earnest was determining if Angela had stayed on Imnek or used it as a launching point. He prayed she was still on the island and that they were closing in.

Jake followed Kirra and Rex up onto the ferry still docked in port, and the dog traced her scent to the vehicle deck. She'd been on the ferry.

If only he'd been quicker. Jake glanced to his left with a sigh and walked through the boat's cafeteria. He squinted at a piece of paper wedged in the frame of the window. He knew what it was before he reached it. The woman was taunting him.

Anger flaring, he s.n.a.t.c.hed the note free of the frame and unfolded it.

I see you haven't lost your touch. That will make this all the more enjoyable. See you when I'm ready.

Jake slammed his fist into his palm, crus.h.i.+ng the paper-smas.h.i.+ng his fear and frustration into her lethal words.

”See you when I'm ready.”

She was in control of the playing field, and she knew it.

He rushed up to the wheelhouse, where he found the captain ready to off-load for the night. ”Are there any cameras on this s.h.i.+p?”

”Only one. In the cafeteria. Sometimes we're short staffed and kids think it's a license to steal snacks or to mess with the vending machines, but we catch it all on camera.”

”Can I see the footage from the last run?”

”Sure.”

Landon stood beside Jake as they scrolled through the footage.

”There.” Jake pointed.

The captain hit Pause.

It was Angela sipping her drink, staring straight up at the camera with a smile.

”She's bold,” Landon said.

”And extremely dangerous.” And she had the woman he loved.

They spread out in search teams from the west end of the parking lot, where Kayden's scent went cold, trying to cover as much ground as possible. They alerted the airport-though getting a subdued Kayden on a plane without someone noticing and asking questions seemed unlikely-and continued to comb the remaining marinas.

”You holding up okay?” Reef asked Jake.

Jake shook his head. How could he have been so stupid? He should have insisted on walking Kayden back to the ladies' room despite her protests, but who would have thought Angela would be so bold, kidnapping Kayden from a public place? Wearing a disguise. a.s.suming a new ident.i.ty. Dual vehicles. The woman was devious, and she'd done her planning.

Question was, where would she take Kayden? A remote cabin? If so, she'd choose someplace with high ground. A boat, perhaps? It would provide maneuverability. With her disguises, she could try to hide in town, but he doubted it. She'd have a canvas laid out, a playing surface for the dangerous game she'd arranged.

”I'm sorry, Jake,” Sheriff Jacob Marshall said. ”So far, there's been no sign of them.”

Angela was smart. It'd been late when she'd landed in Imnek. Most people would have been at home, not walking around town. She'd slipped right in or through without drawing much attention.

”Why choose a truck for a second vehicle?” he asked.

”It's what was available?” Kirra suggested.

”No. Everything Angela's done up to this point has been deliberate. She needed a truck because . . .” Jake posed.

”She needed four-wheel drive,” Gage said.

Jake snapped. ”Yes! Which means off road.”

”She could have also needed hauling capabilities,” Reef said as his eyes widened. ”I mean for supplies.”

And Kayden. The thought of what she might be going through twisted Jake's gut. When he found Angela Mark.u.m, it was going to take G.o.d's strength to stop him from killing her.

Kayden woke. The vehicle was bouncing over b.u.mpy roads, knocking her about the truck bed with force.

It was dark. No daylight shone through the busted taillight.

The temperature had dropped, and a damp mustiness engulfed her. Where was Angela taking her, and how far behind was Jake?

Sheriff Marshall allowed them to set up a command center within his station. Jake found a rolling whiteboard and was outlining what they knew. He'd brought his working file with him, and soon his case board was in place. But what was he missing? Something was off. Angela wanted to be found. It was part of her twisted game, so what clue was he overlooking?

”Here.” Landon handed him a cup of joe.

”Thanks.” He gulped it down, ignoring the burn, needing the recharge the caffeine would supply.

”We need a topographical map of the island, need to pinpoint abandoned areas Angela may have taken Kayden to.”

”If she settles somewhere, and if she's still on Imnek,” Landon said. ”I'm not trying to be negative, but we have to consider the possibility that Angela's moved Kayden off the island.”

Jake looked at Gage, who was co-leading the search-and-rescue teams with Rodney Neary. ”Any sign of Angela's truck?”

”I'm afraid not. We've canva.s.sed the airport and all the marina parking lots and surrounding areas.”

”Then she's still here.”

”How do you figure that?” Landon asked.

”Because she didn't take a ferry out. She couldn't haul an unconscious Kayden onto a plane, and there's no way Kayden would go willingly. If Angela had taken a boat, her truck would be found at a marina or nearby. She's still on Imnek. I can feel it.”

Landon took a sip of his coffee. ”I pray you're right.”

Jake took a deep breath.

Please, Father, guide me to Kayden before it's too late.