Texas Tall - Janet Dailey Page 0,116

She wouldn’t let the woman see the terror that lay like a coiled reptile in the pit of her stomach.

“Aren’t you getting hungry?” she asked, sitting on the bed. “Maybe there’s a vending machine outside. We could at least get a couple of candy bars.”

“Shut up, you little bitch!” Stella snapped. “Nobody’s going anywhere till my friend comes to pick you up. After that, you won’t be my problem anymore.” She stiffened, as if hearing something. One hand moved the window drape aside far enough to see out. “Maybe that’s him now. It’s—Shit!” She dropped the curtain and sprang to her feet. “It’s the cops. One peep out of you, girl, and you’re dead.” She pointed the gun at Erin. “Lie down on the floor—over there, on the far side of the bed!”

Erin did as she was told, trembling in spite of herself as Stella bound her ankles again, then taped her mouth. Through the curtain she glimpsed headlights moving beyond the window, then nothing. Unable to cry out or get up, she could only lie still and wait.

* * *

Tori clutched her shoulder bag as the helicopter swooped in over the lights of Eagle Pass. FBI agent Forbes, an experienced hostage negotiator, had told them not to bring any weapons. But until now, Tori had forgotten about the nine-millimeter Kel-Tec Will had given her to carry. Her fingertips traced the small pistol’s outline through the purse’s leather folds. She didn’t plan to use it, of course. But it gave her a measure of comfort to know it was there, loaded and ready.

Will sat silent beside her. She could feel the tension in his body, see the determination in his face, and she knew he would do anything to get their daughter back. But he was afraid, too, just as she was. Anything could happen down there, in the dangerous dark.

The helicopter touched down in an empty parking lot, where a local police car was waiting for them. Agent Forbes climbed in front with the driver, leaving Tori, Will, and Beau to crowd into the backseat. They listened while the driver gave Forbes an update.

“It’s not looking good. Somebody made a move too soon and the woman got wind of the police. She’s threatening to kill the girl if we don’t back off.”

“Just get me there.” Forbes spoke calmly, but Tori could feel her heart in her throat. How many times on the news had she seen hostage situations where both the kidnapper and the hostage ended up dead? Right now, it appeared that Stella was using Erin as a bargaining chip. But if the woman was facing certain capture or death, it would be like her to kill her enemy’s daughter as a final act of revenge.

Lights flashing and siren blaring, the police car sped to the scene. They found three other black-and-whites parked with headlights glaring on the door and curtained window of the end motel room. The officer in charge ushered Tori into the backseat of one of the cars, while Will and Beau were given bulletproof vests to wear. No doubt in the officer’s mind, a mere woman was best kept out of the way.

Seething with anxiety, Tori rolled down the window and strained to see what was happening. Forbes was speaking through a bullhorn, evidently trying to set up communication with Stella. An officer in protective gear walked to the door and laid a phone on the stoop. As he backed away, the door opened a few inches and the phone disappeared.

Somewhere beyond that door, helpless and terrified, was Erin. It was all Tori could do to keep from leaping out of the car, rushing to the door, and screaming to be let in.

A young policeman, perhaps assigned to keep an eye on her, stood nearby. Tori caught his attention. “What’s going on?” she demanded. “That’s my daughter in there.”

He stepped forward to listen, then reported back. “The woman’s demanding half a million dollars in cash and safe passage to the border. Once she’s across, she’ll release the girl.”

“She won’t do it,” Tori said. “I know her. She’ll kill Erin before she lets her go. Tell them that.”

“Don’t worry, Agent Forbes knows his job,” the young officer said. “I’ve worked with him before. If anybody can get your daughter back, he can.”

If anybody can . . . Lord, what if nobody could?

Through the open window she could hear Will arguing vehemently with Forbes. His words tore at her heart.

“Listen to me, damn it! I’m the