“But you’re working on printing more pictures, right?”

  Their question caught her by surprise for a moment, but thanks to Linda, this was public knowledge. Since they were investigating this case, they probably knew a whole lot more. “I can’t give those to you if I’m to make opening night at the gallery.”

  “Are you working from digital files or negatives?” String Bean asked.

  “Negatives, but I have digital files, as well.”

  “We’d like a copy of the digital files, then.” String Bean’s tone said, Don’t mess with me, honey. Just hand over the files.

  Should she tell them that they’d been through many of the photos and the FBI was already working on one of them? If she did, Ethan’s friend at the FBI could get in trouble for interfering with the investigation. Besides, she didn’t even know if the picture could be improved enough to yield any results. And what harm would it do to have the police working on the images, too?

  “I’ll make copies for you.” She reached for her gadget bag and pulled out the CD.

  While she waited for the files to complete copying, she checked her email. She was vaguely aware of the detectives signaling to each other in some code they’d probably developed over the years, but her inbox held hundreds of messages and demanded her full attention. She scrolled down the names and opened a message from her boss. She confirmed that she would meet the reporter at the shoot tomorrow. In all the turmoil, she’d almost forgotten about tomorrow’s shoot.

  Her computer dinged, and she ejected the copied CD before putting the original back in her bag.

  “Is this all you need?” She stood and handed the CD to String Bean, following it with a smile in hopes of ending this conversation so she could get back to work.

  He returned the smile. “Actually, we recovered something else at the gallery that we need you to take a look at.”

  “Okay,” she answered and waited for them to show it to her.

  “It’s in our car,” Muscles explained. “We couldn’t bring it up here, so we’ll need you to come with us.”

  “I don’t know if I should leave right now.” She cast a glance in Ethan’s direction, but she couldn’t see over the top of the cubicles.

  “It’ll take just a minute.” Muscles rose and took his jacket from the back of the chair. “We’re parked in the loading dock so you’ll be safe. Plus, we’ll escort you both ways.” He didn’t wait for her agreement but gripped her elbow, directing her out of the cubicle.

  She suddenly felt uncomfortable and tried to back away. Something hard poked into her side. She looked down.

  A gun? He had a gun?

  Her heart sank then started thumping wildly. “What’s going on?”

  He draped his jacket over the weapon. “We’re gonna go for a little ride. If you make even a peep, I’ll use this on your coworkers. You got that, little lady?”

  “But what—”

  “Just do as we say and everyone will be fine.” He jabbed the gun harder. “Now smile at the woman across the aisle.”

  String Bean grabbed both of her bags and waited for them to exit.

  Jennie tried to catch Belinda’s attention, but she kept her head down and her fingers flew over her keyboard. Jennie knew Belinda saw them. She never missed anything.

  Jennie tried clearing her throat to get her attention.

  “One more false move and someone gets it,” Muscles whispered from behind, his foul breath making her stomach churn. “Nod if you understand.”

  She nodded and made her way slowly to the end of the cubicles, searching for any form of rescue. At the end of the aisle, she peered in Ethan’s direction, but a deliveryman pushing a large copier down the aisle blocked any visual of him. Muscles urged her toward the freight elevator where String Bean punched the down button.

  The whir of cables moved the car toward them and toward her certain death if she didn’t get free. Once they got her in the elevator, she was a goner. The urge to run nearly overpowered her. But she couldn’t endanger her friends.

  The door opened and Muscles shoved her into the car. He removed his jacket from the gun and held it out, his eyes daring her to make a break for it. She stood, mute and silent.

  String Bean slithered in and stood at her side. “We make pretty good cops, huh? Even your hotshot bodyguard believed it.”

  As the doors closed, fear finally got the best of her and she started trembling. What did these thugs plan to do to her?

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked, her voice coming out just above a whisper.

  “The boss wants to have a word with you.”

  She drew in a breath. Pulled deep, but her lungs refused to expand.

  She tried harder, coming up short and feeling faint.

  She imagined herself standing before Sotos, who declared she must die. Movies she’d seen with drug lords torturing then killing people who crossed them ran through her mind.

  Gory. Bloody. Harsh. They died in great pain and anguish.

  “Breathe, lady,” Muscles said, his tone grating and nasty. “This might be the last chance you’ll get.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “And you’re sure it’s Eduardo Sotos in the picture?” Ethan asked one more time, hoping he hadn’t heard Jack clearly. Sure, he’d known the Sotos gang was involved, but he’d still hoped that the instigator was someone lower down in the organization—not Sotos himself.

  “That’s what I said for about the eightieth time,” Jack replied in a sarcastic tone.

  “Look. I’m sorry, but this case is going nowhere fast. Even if we do finally figure out why Sotos doesn’t want this picture to get out, unless it’s evidence enough to arrest him on its own, he won’t stop until he has everything he wants.”

  “Sounds like you’re gonna need the DEA’s help.”

  “You have any contacts there?” Ethan asked.

  “Maybe. But it’s a long shot.”

  “Mind making a call about this and showing them the picture? They may recognize the guy with Sotos.”

  “You got it. I’ll let you know if I find anything out.”

  They disconnected and Ethan shoved his phone into his pocket as he headed back to Jennie’s cubicle. He hated to tell her about Sotos, but he needed to be honest with her regardless of the fear it would cause. He slowed and eased toward her cubicle, hoping to catch the thread of their conversation before he arrived so he’d be prepared.

  Silence.

  He paused and waited for someone to speak.

  More silence.

  He glanced around the cubicle wall. The visitors’ chairs were empty, and Jennie’s vest hung on the corner of her chair.

  Panic rose up.

  Calm down, Ethan. She’s with cops. She’s fine.

  Wrong. She wasn’t fine until he made sure of it.

  He spun toward the cubicle across the aisle.

  “Did you see where Jennie went?” he asked the woman looking up at him.

  “Uh…I…I don’t know.”

  “This could be a life-and-death matter. If you saw or heard anything, I need to know.” He infused his words with urgency yet tried to keep down the mounting panic.

  “The cops said they had something in their car that she needed to see, and she went with them to the elevator.”

  “How long ago?”

  “Not long. Maybe five minutes.”

  “Thanks.” Ethan took off.

  “Not that way,” the woman called after him. “The freight elevator to the loading dock.”

  “Where?” he asked.

  She pointed in the other direction.

  He reversed course. He’d never been so thankful for an office busybody. At the elevator, he punched the down button. No response from the elevator.

  No time to wait. Only three floors in the building—he’d take the stairs. He flew down them, lifting his cell as he went. Cole answered on the third ring, but the call broke up and he couldn’t understand his brother.

  He kept Cole on the line and pushed through the door. A narrow hallway led to another heavy fire door. He was through it in seconds and let his gaze slide over the cavernous space. An unmarked black sedan idled in the main receiving area. The burly detective held his gun on Jennie, and it looked as if he was forcing her into the car.

  Ethan drew his gun and started toward them.

  “Ethan,” he heard Cole say from the phone still in his hand.

  “Bring the car to the loading dock,” he answered. “They have Jennie.”

  The tall guy spotted him, drew his weapon then shoved it in Jennie’s temple. “Come any closer and she’s dead.”

  Fear, raw and primal, darkened Jennie’s eyes and bit into Ethan’s heart. He’d failed her. Now they had her, and he couldn’t stop them without risking her life.

  “Get in the car or I’ll plug your bodyguard,” the shorter man said to Jennie, his gun out now and aimed at Ethan.

  She gave Ethan an apologetic look then climbed into the car.

  What was she apologizing for? For going with them? Why wouldn’t she trust detectives? They’d even fooled Ethan. Kat had cleared the names and he’d swear their IDs were legitimate. Still, he shouldn’t have left her with them. But he needed to quit blaming himself. He’d have plenty of time to do that once they got her back. He had to get her back.

  The short guy got behind the wheel and the tall guy jumped in next to Jennie. They screeched onto the street. Horns blared and brakes squealed.

  Ethan bolted after them but hung back so they couldn’t see him. He watched the car until it moved out of view then he charged down the sidewalk to keep them in sight. Cole careened the SUV up to the corner, and Ethan scrambled into the back.

  “Black sedan. Two blocks up. Two armed men have Jennie. Get a move on but be discreet.”

  Cole floored it as if he hadn’t heard Ethan.

  “C’mon, man,” Ethan said. “If they make us this is all over.”

  “I know what I’m doing, bro,” Cole said. “What happened?”

  Ethan told him. “No need to ream me for my carelessness.”

  “Hey,” Cole said and eased up on the gas. “Any one of us might’ve done the same thing.”

  Might’ve was the key word in that response.

  “So you think these are dirty cops or imposters?” Derrick asked.

  “I don’t know. Their IDs were top-notch if they were fakes.”

  “Want me to check on them?” As a former Portland homicide detective, Derrick could easily find out what they were dealing with here.

  “Yeah.” Ethan gave Derrick the detectives’ last names, and his youngest brother phoned the Portland Police Bureau.

  Ethan tuned out Derrick’s conversation. He didn’t really want to know the answer. If the badges were fakes, he’d been duped in the worst way. It’d be hard to forgive himself for such a stupid mistake. Better to concentrate on the road.

  Cole was winding in and out of traffic and tailing the sedan at a good distance. Ethan wanted to jump up front and drive, but that would only slow them down. Not that Cole would even turn over the steering wheel. Just a year younger than Ethan, Cole more than any of the other siblings pushed Ethan’s perceived authority based on age. There’d always been a hint of competition between them. Nothing major, just a sliver of disquiet.

  Cole had come to the family when Ethan was seven, ending his status as the only child. Ethan had wanted a brother. He just wasn’t prepared to share his parents with another kid. Little did he know at the time that there would be three more children to come. But in the end, they’d all formed a tight bond and he’d rather be with his siblings in this race to save Jennie than anyone else.

  “There,” he called out. “They’re headed onto the 405.” Ethan watched them climb the ramp to the highway.

  “Relax. I see them,” Cole said.

  When they made the same turn, Ethan sought out the other car. He spotted them merging into traffic and let out a breath. They were heading east and if they kept on this route, they would merge onto I-5, which they did, flying over the Marquam Bridge and heading north.

  “The real detectives are in the office right now,” Derrick said and stowed his phone.

  “So maybe we should back off and get them to pursue,” Cole suggested.

  “No police,” Ethan answered.

  Derrick turned and eyed him up. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Look, little brother. I know you were once one of them and think they can do no wrong, but if we call this in, what do you think they’ll do?”

  “Put top priority on it and send out a show of force.”

  “And what will happen then?” Ethan let his words sit for a moment. “They’ll force these creeps into shooting Jennie. We can’t risk it.”

  “You act like the officers don’t know how to handle this.”

  “You know as well as I do some of them don’t. All it takes is one rookie doing the wrong thing and Jennie dies.”

  Derrick rolled his eyes. “We’ll do this your way, but if we lose the car, we’re calling it in.”

  Cole scoffed. “Like I’m gonna lose them.”

  “We need to quit talking and keep our eyes on the vehicle so that doesn’t happen.” Ethan sat forward, craning his neck to be sure the car remained in view. Finally, they exited on Marine Drive and into the industrial district lining the Willamette River.

  “Looks like they’re taking her to a warehouse.” Derrick stated the obvious.

  “Not good,” Cole added as if they needed to hear it.

  Ethan held his tongue and watched three additional men armed with assault weapons acknowledge the car’s arrival. The sedan pulled up to the warehouse door and parked, while the gunmen disappeared via a side entry.

  Ethan fought down a wave of fear. “With that kind of firepower, if they get her inside, we’ll never get her back.”

  “What do you suggest?” Cole slowed and parked out of view.

  “Jennie’s in the back,” Derrick jumped in. “So I’d ram them in the front, pushing them up against the building. The driver won’t be able to get out and we can retrieve Jennie before both men recover from the shock.”

  “It’ll also block the door and keep the men inside,” Cole said.

  “What if there’s a back door?” Ethan respected his brothers’ tactical skills, but it wasn’t that simple. “Plus we could damage our engine and not be able to drive off. The air bags would deploy, too, temporarily blocking your line of sight.”

  “We could back into them,” Cole suggested.

  “And we can be out and on these two creeps before they recover,” Derrick added. “If there is a back door we’d still be able to rescue her before anyone can get around the building.”

  “I don’t know,” Ethan said, second-guessing himself. “Maybe I was wrong before. Maybe we should call in backup and wait.”

  “Then we’ll have a hostage situation and these guys have nothing to lose,” Derrick said.

  “Fine, we’ll do it. But be sure to stay well away from Jennie,” Ethan directed. “Derrick, you’re first in. Get a bead on the driver and hold him at bay. I’ll cover the man in back and get Jennie out. Cole, you’re backup. Make sure the vehicle is ready to retreat.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Cole grinned.

  Ethan couldn’t grin, but he liked seeing the rare smile on his brother’s face. “If everything goes okay, we should try to take these men into custody, as well. But one sign of their pals from inside and we’re out of here. Got it?”

  Derrick nodded and Cole reversed into place then floored it.

  Ethan watched out the rear and braced for the impact. He saw surprise flash on Jennie’s face and watched her scoot to the far side of the car.

  Lord, please don’t let her be harmed in this maneuver.

  The car crashed. Metal screamed. They jostled back and forth. Derrick pushed his door open only seconds before Ethan. Guns drawn, they jumped out. Derrick charged at the front door and Ethan the back.

  Derrick aimed his gun at the driver through the window. Ethan jerked open the back door, caught a quick view of Jennie moving. Good, she was alive.

  He directed his gun at the passenger and glared at him. “Weapons in the air. Both of you. Try anything and you’re dead.”

  He wanted to search Jennie for injuries, but that would have to come later. He kept his gaze locked with the man in the backseat and waited as both men held up their guns. He took them one at a time and tucked them into his belt.

  He reached for Jennie’s hand. “C’mon, Jen. You’re coming with me.”

  She grabbed her bags then clasped his hand, and the warmth shot all the way to his heart, flooding him with relief. Relief that he had to ignore right now. He needed to keep his wits about him and get her to safety. Then he could revel in finding her safe.

  “You got ’em,” he told Derrick, who nodded his response.

  Ethan put Jennie behind him and backed toward the SUV. They moved past Cole now standing on the running board and aiming at the sedan. Ethan helped Jennie into the back and slid in behind her.

  “Get down,” he instructed her and gently pushed her to the floor. “We’re good to go.”

  “Two automatics at your nine o’clock,” Cole called out to Derrick. “Get out of there now!”

  Derrick backed toward the car, climbed in and leaned out his open window with his gun trained on the men so Cole could slide behind the wheel.

  “Go. Go. Go.” Derrick’s excitement matched the adrenaline flowing through Ethan.