***
"We're running out of time."
"I know." If Mack was at all concerned, Jon certainly couldn't see it. "We're almost there."
Jon turned his gaze to the skyline. Dawn was beginning to creep through the darkness, spreading red fingers of light across the stormy skies. An hour and a half had passed. And there was snow up on the mountain peaks. Maddie was still alive, but he wasn't certain of anything more than that. He rubbed a hand across gritty-feeling eyes. This was exactly the situation he'd spent half his life trying to avoid—someone he cared about getting caught in the line of fire. It was the reason he'd walked away from his family, the reason he'd tried to convince himself his heart could only belong to his work.
And it was the reason he would continue to push Maddie away from him once they'd rescued her. He couldn't let her go through this type of hell a second time.
Mack slowed the car and turned into a driveway. The headlights picked out a small cabin not far from the road.
"Place belongs to a friend of mine. Evan and his family were only here until this morning, then we were moving them interstate."
At least the police weren't taking any chances with Evan's safety. "I just need to talk to the kid."
Mack nodded. "And the ring?"
"Will let us know what Eleanor plans next." He climbed out of the car as soon as it stopped. The wind moaned through the trees, and its touch was bitterly cold. And Maddie was out in it, wearing only a T-shirt.
He slammed the car door shut and stalked up to the front door. Mack caught his arm only feet away and pulled him to a halt. "The father's a cop with a trigger temper. Best let me handle this."
He nodded and stepped away. Mack thumped on the door. The only reply was the unmistakable sound of a rifle being loaded.
"Who is it?" a voice called.
"FBI. Open the door, Steve."
"Put your badge against the window."
Mack muttered something under his breath, then glanced back at Jon. "The man can be a pain in the backside, but it's good to see he's being this cautious." Jon bit down on the urge to smash past Mack and the fool with the gun.
"Caution won't save Evan or Maddie. Hurry up."
Mack slapped his badge against the window. After a moment, the door opened.
"Who's your friend?" the bear-like figure asked, pointing the rifle in Jon's direction.
Mack pushed the weapon aside. "He's helping with inquiries. We need to talk to your son, Steve."
The big man shook his head. "He's asleep, and I don't want to wake him." Mack's shark-like smile flashed briefly. "Neither do I, but we have no choice. Which room?"
"Second on the right down the hall." Steve eyed Jon with distrust then swung his gaze back to Mack. "I'm coming with you."
"Fine. Just don't interfere, or I'll have you hauled up on charges so fast your head will spin."
Steve blinked in surprise, then nodded. Jon glanced at his watch again as they walked up the hall. Twenty-five minutes left.
Mack knocked lightly on the door, then opened it up and switched on the light. Evan shot up in bed, his face screwed up in fright.
Steve pushed past them both and walked across the room, placing a reassuring arm around his son's shoulders. "It's okay, Evan. The police just need to talk to you again."
Evan nodded, but his wide, amber gaze was aimed directly at Jon. "Why haven't you rescued her? You promised."
Jon ignored Mack's raised eyebrow. The teenager's gaze was full of fear. He knew, or at least suspected, why they were there. "I did. Eleanor took her again." He hesitated, then added softly, "She wants to exchange Maddie for you." The teenager shrank back into his father's arms. Steve held him tight and glared at the two of them. "You can't seriously be thinking of complying."
"Of course not." Mack's voice held a soothing note. "But we do need Evan's help to locate his aunt."
"For God's sake, he's just a kid. Why don't you leave him alone?" There was a desperate edge of denial in Steve's voice, and his fear curled through the room. Jon smiled grimly. Steve didn't want his son to be different. Didn't want him to be gifted, like his aunt.