Blink of an Eye (Kendra Michaels #8) - Roy Johansen Page 0,34

arrest? That’s a real thing, asshole. If you’d like to ride back to L.A. with plastic zip ties cutting into your wrists and ankles, we can make that happen.”

A high-pitched whine escaped his lips. “I think you broke my arm.”

“Trust me, you’d know if I’d done that. Wanna see what it feels like?” She pulled on his wrist, and he screamed. “Kinda like that, but about fifty times worse.”

His eyes were wild. “You’re psycho!”

“I’ve been called worse, buddy.” Jessie grabbed his other hand, pulled it back, and slapped a zip tie around his wrists. She pulled it tight. “Did I mention how much I like that sweet kid you sold to those scumbags?”

“Owww.” He wiggled his fingers. “You’re cutting off my circulation.”

“Your hands will be a nice shade of purple by the time we get to L.A. I wouldn’t worry unless they turn black.”

“Can’t we…discuss this?”

She shoved him toward the open side door. “Sure. We can talk all the way back to the FBI L.A. regional office.”

Kendra followed as Jessie steered him to her SUV and practically threw him into the backseat. Adrian gazed pleadingly up at Kendra. “Jessie doesn’t believe that I’m really sorry about Delilah. It’s true. But I’ve been so scared and desperate ever since this began.” His eyes were frantic in his pale face. “I’m not a bad guy, and I can see how wrong I was to let them take her. Maybe I can make it up to her somehow. You guys were right, I have to try to change it. I’ll do whatever you want to save her. Just don’t let anyone hurt me.”

She could see he was terrified. Not only from his dealings with those kidnappers, but Jessie must have thoroughly intimidated him. And what was more encouraging was that he also seemed sincere about wanting to save Dee. What he’d said about her had held the ring of truth. “All you have to do is cooperate and you’ll get through this okay. But you have to help us or we can’t do anything. Do you understand?”

“I told you, anything you want. Anything I can do to save her.” His voice was shaking. “If I do that, will you promise I’ll come out of this alive?”

“I promise. All we want is to save Delilah. Just give us a chance to do that, Adrian.” She slammed the door. “And it would help if you’d avoid irritating Jessie on the way back to L.A.”

She glanced at Jessie as she climbed into the passenger seat. “We can get him to help us to find Dee,” she said quietly. “I believe him.”

“I can see you do.” Jessie shrugged. “I hope you’re right. Better let Kelland know we’re on our way.”

But Kendra was already on the phone to Kelland. “We got Adrian.”

He sounded surprised. “By ‘got’ you mean…”

“Hands zip-tied behind his back, stuffed into the backseat of Jessie’s SUV.”

“You’re not joking.”

Jessie started the SUV and peeled out.

“Definitely not joking.” Kendra turned around and held up the phone. “Adrian, say something to the nice FBI man.”

“I want a lawyer and protection the minute we pull up in front of your office.”

She pulled the phone back to her ear. “That’s Adrian.”

“Can’t wait to meet him. What’s his story?”

Kendra filled Kelland in on the information they’d gathered from Adrian, emphasizing his meetings with the mysterious Arthur Cabot.

After she finished, Kelland paused for a moment. “Good work. But did it even occur to you to loop me in when you got your lead on him?”

“Actually, no. If you really wanted to tag along with us for every lead that may or may not pan out, you wouldn’t have time for anything else. I think you have better things to do with your time.”

“Maybe so. Especially if you believe my contribution would be limited to ‘tagging along.’”

“No offense. We all have our strengths, Kelland.”

“Nice. I’ll make sure the team is here when you arrive with Adrian.”

“Good. We’ll be there inside of two hours.” Kendra cut the connection and turned to Jessie. “He’s only slightly annoyed.”

Jessie didn’t respond. Her eyes were focused on the rearview mirror.

“What is it?”

“Not sure. Maybe nothing.”

Kendra leaned forward to look in the side mirror. The highway behind them was deserted except for two men on motorcycles. As she watched, the men exchanged hand signals.

“See that?” Jessie said.

“Yes.”

“Any idea what they’re saying to each other?”

“No.”

“Me neither. But they’ve been making those signs to each other for the past half mile.”

Kendra watched them for a moment longer. “It’s not sign language