Holding his Hostage - Amy Gamet Page 0,42

to a time when virtually anything could be connected to the public sewer system directly.

“There’s nobody here,” he said, his voice echoing in the space. “McKenzie probably saw us come in last night and figured she’d clear out of Dodge. We’re going to have to get April back the hard way.”

“We can handle it, Dvorak. We’ve got the men.”

Sloan shook his head as he turned and walked past them. “I goddamn knew this wasn’t going to be easy.”

25

There was no snow tonight, the bright light of the moon throwing everything into relief. Jefferson Park sat in the middle of downtown Poughkeepsie, a wide space containing a playground, basketball court, picnic area, and a small amphitheater showcasing local graffiti. The entire park was surrounded by buildings, including the library and courthouse, though this part of downtown was deserted at night.

At its center stood a statue of Thomas Jefferson, flanked by a park bench and a large black garbage can. That was where the drop was to be made. Joanne had been told to come by herself. If any of the men could have passed for her size and physique, they would have gone instead, but in the end, it needed to be her, leaving Sloan terrified he could end up with both her and April being gone—or worse.

Sloan and Moto were positioned in the library with a prime view of the statue, Champion on the roof with a high-powered sniper rifle. Mac and Trace were in the courthouse, Chop and Razorback in a van parked close to the basketball court, and Gavin and Asher each stationed farther out at either end of the park.

Chop and Razorback had been surveilling the area for nearly nine hours but had yet to see anyone who could be Bannon or one of his associates, much less Joanne’s daughter.

Sloan checked his watch. Nine fifty-four. Any second now, a series of events would be set in motion, the final outcome still unknown, and the tension was eating him alive. It occurred to him he had more to lose tonight than he’d ever called his own, and he said a silent prayer for help. Champion’s voice came over the comm set in his ear. “Here comes Jo.”

He opened his eyes. She was walking up one of the sidewalks that went out from the statue like bicycle spokes, the shade of mature trees hiding her form before she emerged once more into the moonlight. He lifted his binoculars to his eyes. He could hear her breathing, the anxiety she so barely held under control. Her voice was a whisper in his ear. “I don’t see anyone.”

“Don’t talk,” snapped Sloan. “You can’t let them see your mouth moving. Just put the money on the bench and get out of there.”

Mac spoke next. “I’ve got eyes on a dark minivan heading your way. One block out, east side of the park.”

Sloan stared through the binoculars. “Get out of there, Jo.” She appeared from the shadows walking quickly out of the park, and the invisible noose around his neck loosened a degree. He trained the binoculars down the road, the minivan approaching in the distance. “It’s got tinted windows. Can you see inside, Champion?” The sharpshooter had a night vision scope on his rifle, which he hoped could see through the glass.

“Affirmative, but I don’t see the girl. Got two male tangos in the front seat.”

The van approached the center of the park, stopping just behind the van with Razorback and Chop inside. “Fuck,” said Razorback. “I think we’ve been made.”

“Hang tight,” said Mac. “Wait ’em out. They might just be checking to see.”

Minutes passed, the blood rushing in Sloan’s ears as sweat formed on his brow. Joanne spoke on the comm set. “I got a text. It says, ‘Come out here.’”

“Shit,” bit out Mac.

“I’m going,” said Jo.

“No!” barked Sloan. “Stay where you are. They’re on to us with the van. They could use you as a hostage to tie our hands.”

“I’m telling them I want to see April.”

She was thinking about doing it, putting herself directly in harm’s way to save her child, rendering HERO Force defenseless against an attack. “Jo, we’ll move the van. Stay put.”

The side of the minivan slid open. Joanne gasped. “She’s tied up on the floor.”

“Affirmative,” said Champion. “I have a visual on the girl.”

“They say for me to come to the van. I’m going out there.”

“Damn it, Jo, no!” But he was too late, Joanne already moving quickly onto the scene. Just as he feared,