Colin and she glanced at each other, both trying to figure out how to handle this. But their time for decision making was cut very short.
Just come, Doctor, Luke said. His voice was shaky, and he sounded scared again. Mr. Perkins
wants you to come really, really bad.
You want me inside the estate? Colin asked. He fished out his wallet and personal cell phone and dropped them onto the table.
No. See the guesthouse just inside the fence?
Danielle had already noticed the small building that had a similar facade to the estate itself. But the guesthouse wasnt the problem. It was getting there. Colin and she would be out in the open.
You can wait here, Colin told her. He climbed behind the seat and took off his shoulder holster. What he didnt do was remove the backup pistol that Danielle knew he always carried in an ankle holster. Ill talk to Boyd. Ill make him see theres no reason for you to be on scene.
But there was a reason. A huge one. Even if Colin figured out a way to keep Boyd calm and get him to back off his demand that she be there, it would mean she wouldnt be around for Luke. He needed her, and she wasnt going to abandon him.
Please come now, she heard Luke say. His voice filled the van and seemingly the entire mountain. He hadnt shouted, but he might as well have because his words slammed through her. Please.
Im coming, she let him know. Just think about your video game. About those hippos. Think about saving the baby giraffe. Danielle got out of the van and lifted her hands into the air.
What the hell do you think youre doing? Colin mumbled in a gruff whisper.
Were doing the only thing we can do. Were saving a child, she reminded him.
And she started for the guesthouse. Still cursing, Colin hurried to maneuver himself in front of her.
Danielle could feel Boyds rifle trained right on them.
Chapter Three
Colin knew letting Boyd dictate the situation was a mistake. He had to figure out a way to stop this from spiraling out of control.
Stay behind me, he warned Danielle.
And by God shed better listen. She should have stayed in the van and let him talk to Boyd. Not that it likely would have helped. Boyd seemed hell-bent on getting them out of that vehicle and into the open. But he might have been able to convince Boyd to allow anyone other than Danielle to walk into what could essentially be a trap.
We didnt have a choice, she whispered.
Colin cursed because he knew she was right.
He lifted his left hand, a show of surrender, but he kept the cell phone in his right. If necessary, he could get to his backup weapon that hed moved from his ankle holster to the back waist of his pants, but he might not be able to get to it in time if Boyd starting shooting. If that happened, Danielle and Luke could be hurt. Or worse.
Boyd, Im asking you man-to-man to send Dr. Connolly back, Colin insisted. Danielle and he slowed when they approached the high metal gates. If you do, itll prove to me that you want to work toward a peaceful resolution. You dont need two more hostages.
Well, you wont exactly be hostages. Youll just be staying in the guesthouse. Nearby but not underfoot. Ive got a camera fixed on the place, and Ill know if you try to leave or if you try to bring in any badges.
The explanation sounded almost logical, but Colin immediately found the weak spot in Boyds argument. But why risk having us so close at all? You can obviously watch us in the van, too.
But Colin knew the answer before Boyd even spoke.
True. I can see the van, if I stand outside. Id prefer not to do that. Plus, you wouldnt be in rifle range there, now would you? I want you close by. Because soon, very soon, Ill have somechores for you two to do.
Since the phone was on speaker, Danielle obviously heard that, and her sharp intake of breath caused her lips to tremble. Colin didnt want to think of what a hit man would consider chores.
The only thing good in all of it was that perhaps this meant there was no mole. Boyd seemed to have found a way around the blind spot by going outside. That still didnt explain how the man had figured out who Danielle was. She wasnt exactly a public figure. But maybe Boyd had access to profiler or facial recognition software. If so, he could have spotted her when she arrived and gotten a picture of her to feed through the software. Colin hoped thats what had happened.
Because the alternative made him damn uneasy.
This is a waste of time, Colin tried again. Just give us your demands, and we can end all of this.
Demands can wait, Boyd said, causing Colin to mentally curse. Colin couldnt offer up all of Griffins bankroll, not on his first try of negotiations anyway, but he needed to get something on the table that he could use to bargain with. Once Danielle
and he had some cover, he could do that.
Luke? Danielle said, aiming her voice toward the phone. You doing okay? Are you still thinking about the hippos?
No.
Oh, man. That little voice had a way of cutting to the bone.
Well, you should think about them, Danielle continued. Because Agent Forester and I are here. Were on the grounds. Were walking through the gate right now. And well do whatever Mr. Perkins tells us so that he wont be upset. How does that sound?