He stood and paced the floor when another call went unanswered. Something was wrong.

His phone rang and he looked at the caller ID, hoping it was Annie.

It wasn’t. It was Geekly.

“I can’t talk now,” Jake said, answering the phone. “I’m trying to find Annie.”

“That’s why I’m calling,” Geekly said. “I talked to her a little while ago and gave her some interesting news regarding the file she sent me.” He paused. “But something she said bothered me, and I started thinking about it. Before she hung up, she said, ‘Let Jake know the news.’ It didn’t make a lot of sense at the time, but in hindsight, she seemed a little nervous on the phone. I thought I’d better call you.”

Jake stopped pacing. “Where was she at the time?”

“I don’t know. She said she was with somebody.”

“Yeah, she was with a woman named Tammy Norton,” Jake said. “But I can’t reach her on the phone.”

“Tammy Norton?” Geekly said. “That’s strange.”

“In what way?”

“I gave Annie all the technical details, but the gist of it is, when I dissected the call from a guy called Michael Norton, it turned out to be Tammy Norton’s voice disguised as his.”

Jake sprang to his feet. “Are you sure about that?”

“Absolutely. I’ll explain it to you if you want.”

“No. Never mind. I’m sure you’re right.” Jake took a deep breath, his eyes narrowed and unfocused. Annie wasn’t answering her phone, and Tammy Norton wasn’t the innocent victim she claimed to be. That could only mean one thing.

Annie might be in danger.

“I have to go, Geekly,” Jake said suddenly. “Annie’s in some trouble. I’ll call you.” He hung up and ran into the office. He leafed through Annie’s notes, found Tammy Norton’s phone number, and dialed. He paced uneasily and waited, but there was no answer.

He dialed Hank’s number, ran to the kitchen for his car keys, and was in the garage before the cop answered the phone. “Annie’s in trouble,” he said into the phone as he jumped in the car and started the engine. He gave Hank a quick version of the story while he waited impatiently for the garage door to open.

“I’ll send a pair of cruisers immediately and meet you there,” Hank said. “But don’t go near the house until the officers get there.”

“I’ll be careful,” Jake said, and hung up.

The Firebird roared from the garage and spun onto the street. He didn’t know what he would find at the Norton house—maybe nothing at all, but he was determined to find out ASAP.

As he neared the house, he expected to see Annie’s vehicle parked at the road. It wasn’t there.

He pulled into the empty driveway, raced from the vehicle, and went to the side of the garage. He peeked through a small window in the outside door. His heart jumped when he saw Annie’s vehicle inside. That was a dead giveaway. Something was definitely wrong.

It was a single car garage, and Tammy Norton’s dark-blue Ford was nowhere to be seen. Tammy was gone. But where was his wife?

He hurried to the front door and banged furiously as two police cruisers pulled to the curb. Four officers streamed from the vehicles. Jake knew what their instructions would be. Enter the premises by force, if necessary, find Annie, and apprehend Tammy Norton.

As two officers ran to the back of the building, Jake stepped away from the front door as the other two cops raced to the front porch.

“Police. Open the door.”

The door remained closed, and then burst inward as the second cop hit it with a battering ram. The officers moved in cautiously, their weapons drawn, ready to bring them into use at a moment’s notice.

Jake turned as Hank pulled into the driveway behind the Firebird and jumped out. “Is she here?” Hank called.

“It doesn’t look like it.” Jake shook his head grimly. “The officers are inside, but I think both women are gone.”

“Stay back,” Hank said, as he drew his handgun and stepped into the house.

Jake followed Hank and stood in the foyer. The officers were busy, clearing the house, room by room. Before long they approached Hank. “No one’s here,” one of the cops said. “And there’s no sign of a struggle.”

Hank’s face was grim as he pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll get a BOLO out on Tammy Norton’s car immediately.”

Jake raced frantically around the rooms, through the kitchen, the living room, and finally to the garage. He pulled on the door handle of Annie’s car. It was unlocked, and the keys were in the ignition. He checked on the floor, the back seat, and the front seat, but nothing appeared to be out of place.

As far as he could tell, Tammy Norton had kidnapped his wife. He had to do whatever it took to find Annie. He prayed she was still alive.

If what he assumed about Tammy was correct—that she was a cold-blooded killer, he knew there would be no negotiations, no ransom, and no mercy shown.

Chapter 47

Friday, 10:49 a.m.

ANNIE GRIPPED THE wheel wrench firmly in both hands as she waited for the trunk lid to open. During the long ride to wherever they were now, the heavy bar was the only thing she could find that made a suitable weapon, and she planned on giving it her best shot.

She hadn’t considered Tammy to be the ruthless killer she turned out to be. And all because of money. She hoped Geekly had understood her message and Jake and the police were searching for her. She had no idea where she was, but if the building they were in was connected to Tammy, the police might be able to put the pieces together. She hoped they’d figure it out before it was too late.

The car stopped and she heard the unmistakable hum of an overhead garage door, then the vehicle moved ahead several feet.

She heard the same hum as the door closed, and then the car engine died. A vehicle door opened, slammed, and then footsteps came closer. She gripped the wheel wrench, readied herself, and waited.

The trunk lid popped up and her only chance of attack faded. Tammy stood well away from the trunk, the pistol in her hand.

“I thought you might try something like that,” the abductor said. “You can drop it now.”

Annie considered her situation for a brief moment before letting the iron slip from her hands. It made a dull thud as it hit the floor of the trunk.

Tammy stepped back and waved her weapon. “You’ll be happy to hear we’ve arrived at our destination. You can get out now.”

Annie swung one leg over, then the other, climbing from the trunk. She stood upright and glanced around. They appeared to be in a garage attached to a residential house. The usual items that could be seen in most any garage were scattered about. Shelves contained a variety of containers, clutter, and cast-offs. Garden tools occupied a bin on the floor. The rafters held more junk.

To her left, a door led into the house. Directly in front of her was an outside door. What were her odds?

Probably nil.

“Don’t try anything stupid,” Tammy said. “I could as easily shoot you right now, but if you’re careful, you might live a little longer.”

Annie crossed her arms and glared. “You aren’t going to get away with this, so you might as well shoot me now. What’re you waiting for?”

Tammy shrugged and gave a fake smile. “I haven’t figured out how you’re going to fit into my plans. So you might be pleased to learn, until I do, you’re safe with me.” She laughed. “As long as you’re a good girl.”

“What is this place?” Annie asked.

“You don’t need to know that. Just do as you’re told.” Tammy pulled a ring of keys from her pocket, selected one, and then moved to the door leading into the house. She unlocked it and pushed it open, then stepped back and made a sweeping motion toward the doorway. “Inside.”

Annie glared at the heartless killer a moment longer, and then took the two steps up, through the doorway, and entered a small foyer. She felt the cold steel of the pistol at her back and knew making a run for it was out of the question. Tammy wasn’t taking any chances and neither was she.