be calling from Red Oak?”
“Another call was made farther south,” Tabby said, “on the interstate near Forreston, also to Julie’s cell, but it wasn’t picked up.”
Julie grabbed her phone, saw a missed call from Timmy’s number, but the call must have ended before there was time for it to ring.
She held the phone against her heart. “Timmy must have tried to call me but Ray stopped him.”
“No calls after that,” Tabby said. “The phone was disabled, either turned off or the battery removed.”
Lissa flashed a glance at Julie, whose face was pale, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“What about Spearman?” Colt asked. “Come up with anything on him?”
“Tabby, that’s Colt Wheeler,” Lissa said. “Colt’s former Army Special Forces. He’s a friend. Timmy’s mom, Julie, is also here.”
“Good to meet you both. I’ll be focusing on Spearman, Colt. I’ll also keep an eye on Timmy’s phone.”
“Appreciate it.” Colt’s deep voice rumbled across the living room.
“Thank you, Tabby.” Julie fought to collect herself as the call came to a close.
When Lissa looked over at Colt, he was working his cell, bringing up Google Maps.
“I’m not familiar with the area,” he said. “What’s in Red Oak?”
“Nothing,” Julie said.
“How about Forreston?”
“Not much out there until you get to Waco,” Lissa said.
“Just a lot of open country,” Julie added. “Ray could be anywhere.”
“We need more intel,” Colt said. “Ray’s traveling south on I-35. He’s got a destination in mind. We just need to figure out what it is.”
“He was raised in Houston,” Lissa said. “Maybe he’s headed home.”
Colt looked down at the map on his phone. “Doesn’t look like the fastest route. Maybe he’s taking a detour. Any chance he could be taking Timmy to meet his parents, a high school friend, something like that?”
Julie shook her head. “I don’t think so. His father and mother divorced while we were together. His dad remarried a girl twenty years younger. Ray was furious. I’m not even sure Paul Spearman still lives in Houston.”
“What about his mom?” Colt asked.
“Last time Ray mentioned his mother, she and the man she remarried were living in Florida.”
The phone rang again and Lissa checked the screen. Tabby. She hit the speaker button. “What is it?”
“The odds of a guy like Spearman staying completely off the grid for eight years are slim and none. I checked Interpol. Ray Spearman was arrested in Mexico in 2012 for drug smuggling. He spent five years in a Mexican prison. Got out two years ago.”
Lissa’s glance shot to Colt. “You were right about prison.”
“No sign of him in the States until now,” Tabby said. “I’ve got feelers out. I’ll have more for you soon.”
Colt’s gaze went back to the map on his phone. “Mexico,” he said, grimly. “The son of a bitch is taking the boy back to Mexico.”
CHAPTER FIVE
COLT LOOKED DOWN at Julie, who sat next to him on the sofa, fighting to hold back tears. He cupped her face in his palms, forcing her to look at him. “I’m going after Tim. I’ll bring him home. I won’t come back without him. I promise you, Julie.”
He let her go, and she took a shaky breath. “What about the police?”
“I’ll call them,” Lissa said, bringing Colt’s attention back to her. “I’ve got friends in the department. They’ll get things rolling, put out a BOLO and an Amber Alert. They’ll stop him at the border if he gets that far.”
“My stuff is still in the car,” Colt said. “I’m ready to leave right now. I’ll stay in touch, let you know what’s happening.” He kept his gaze on Julie. “You can count on me to take care of this.”
Julie managed a shaky nod.
Colt turned to Lissa. “Stay on your friend Tabby. Anything she gives you, I need to know.”
A hard smile curved those pretty pink lips. “That shouldn’t be tough to do—since we’ll both be in the same car. The only question is—are we taking yours or mine?”
Colt shook his head. “You’ll just be in the way.”
Lissa actually laughed. “That’s not true, and unless you’re a fool—which I don’t believe you are—you know it. I’m armed. My car’s parked out front. I keep a go bag in the trunk. My passport’s in it. I’m ready whenever you are.”
Amusement filtered through him. She was a trained police officer, and clearly intelligent. She’d be an asset not a liability. And she knew it.
“If you’re sure that’s the way you want it,” he said. “I’m driving.”
“Fine.” Lissa gave Julie a hug. “The police will want to talk to you.