by and let Dee be killed because of this foul-up.”
“Wrong,” Kelland said. “It’s my job. You’re out of it now.”
“The hell I am.” He got to his feet. “You’ve got to contact them fast and tell them we want to renegotiate. If you don’t reach them right away, it will be too late. I’ve dealt with ransoming prisoners in the past, and all kinds of motivations can drive them at a time like this. We don’t want them to choose the first action that occurs to them based on anger or impulse. We have to give them a way to think they’re still going to come out of this with what they want.”
Kelland was swearing. “Do you think we’re not trying to reach them? They broke contact the minute they realized the ransom might be a trap.”
“Then find another way,” Lynch said. “And damn quick.”
“Suggestions?” Kelland asked sarcastically.
“The cemetery.” Jessie stepped forward, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “Use the cemetery. Put a message on the mausoleum that they used to send their message and tell them that a mistake was made and we’re ready to deal and offer an even higher fee.”
“The cemetery,” Kelland repeated. “It could work…”
“It will work,” Kendra said desperately. “We still have a chance of saving her. Just do it. Fast. And call in the media and get them out there to the mausoleum to publicize that message.”
“I said it might work. Don’t get your hopes up.” Kelland turned on his heel. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Yes, you will. And I’ll go with you,” Jessie said grimly. “I’ll begin calling the media now so that they’ll start broadcasting the story even before you get the message on the mausoleum. Like Lynch said, I want those bastards to know they have a chance of getting what they want. Any objections?”
He shook his head and said over his shoulder, “By all means, join me. Just stay out of my way. You’re not the only one who wants your friend to come out of this alive.”
Kendra watched them leave before turning back to Lynch. “Will you let me bandage that wound or am I going to get all kinds of flak from you?”
“Flak,” he said curtly as he took out his handkerchief and dabbed at the cut. “I’ll take care of it once I get back to FBI headquarters. I’m surprised you didn’t want to go and help Jessie.”
“I intend to do that as soon as I’m sure that you’re not going to collapse and cause us more problems. It was entirely your fault that you’ve probably got a concussion.” She was struggling to keep her voice from shaking. “You’re the one who wouldn’t wear any protective headgear to keep that from happening.”
“That’s absolutely correct.”
“Yes, and since Dee’s more important right now, I can’t be bothered with you after I’m sure that you’re not going to do something stupid. So tell me that’s not going to happen and I’ll leave you.”
“I won’t do something stupid.” His lips tightened. “You all appear to be on the right track trying to save Dee, so I thought I’d go and see why the hell she needed saving.” He met her eyes. “And there’s only one place I can go to ask that question. Noah was in sole charge of the ransom until it was given to me. He was told not to put any markers on those bills. That mistake could cost Dee her life.”
“I know. I don’t understand it, either. But it had to be a mistake. He was so eager to get her away from them.”
“I’m not in a mood for excuses.” His tone was ice-cold. “He put her on the spot and he almost got me killed. I want to know why and then I still may break the son of a bitch’s neck.”
“That’s really smart,” she said caustically. “Particularly since you probably have a concussion and Noah’s always surrounded by his executives and bodyguards.”
“If I don’t believe I can handle them, then we’ll have a discussion…maybe.”
She’d had enough. “Then do what you like. I have to go help Jessie try to keep Dee from being murdered. Why don’t you stagger back to that conference room, confront Noah, and see how much satisfaction you can squeeze out of getting him to admit he was an idiot. That sounds like a real way to win the day.”
She walked away from him. She would not look back. She might tell one of the officers to keep an eye