Pray for Mercy (Detectives Kane and Alton)

SATURDAY

Kane rubbed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “Duffy hasn’t left his house overnight. He goes home and stays there and leaves the same time in the morning. Unless he’s lying low because he’s spotted the camera, he sure isn’t acting like a psychopath.”

“We’ll leave it there for a few days and see what happens.” Jenna looked at him. “If he is our man, I can’t see him slowing the killing spree now. He’ll do something soon and right now he’s the best we’ve got.” She reached for her phone. “Hi, Maggie. Is Rio a no-show again?” She paused a beat listening. “No word from him, huh? Okay, if you hear anything, let me know.” She disconnected.

Kane looked up from his laptop and frowned. “It’s a little after nine. He should have called in by now.” He leaned back in his chair. “More problems with Cade maybe?”

“Does this often happen with kids who’ve lost their parents?” Jenna twirled a pen in her fingers. “Apparently, he was a good kid before his parents died.”

Thinking over the time he’d spent with Cade fixing up his truck, Kane smiled. “He’s a good kid now, just a little mixed up. Hormones will do that for a time and dating an older woman is a big deal to him right now.”

“If he’s sleeping with her, in some states we’d be able to arrest Kara for statutory rape.” Jenna shook her head. “That’s difficult when the age of sexual consent here is sixteen.”

Kane nodded. “Yeah, and he’s eighteen in two weeks.” He sighed. “Zac is doing his best but he’ll always be his brother. The kid needs a father figure in his life to guide him. Someone like Wolfe would be perfect but he’s always so busy.”

His phone chimed and from the caller ID, Kane could see it was Rio. He glanced at Jenna. “The man himself. I’ll put it on speaker.” He swiped his phone and Rio’s voice came through the speakers immediately, before he could speak.

“Mr. Bruin? This is Zac Rio. I’m sorry to bother you so early, but I have an urgent situation to discuss. I’d like to see you at your earliest convenience. I know you’re tied up for most of the day. Same here, we all are at this time of the year, but this can’t wait.”

Knowing at once the call was fake and Rio was trying to get an urgent message across, Kane frowned at Jenna and played along. “Can you elaborate?”

“It’s the private matter we discussed concerning the inheritance for my brother, Cade. I’ll need to make some changes.”

Checking his watch, Kane cleared his throat. He needed time to get the team organized. “I can squeeze you in at eleven. Will you be coming with Cade or alone?”

“No, not alone. There’s two of us, Kara Judd, Cade’s fiancée will be carrying… I mean, handling his estate from this time forward. She’s over twenty-one.” Rio was getting his message over just fine. “I’ll see you at eleven.” He disconnected.

“I’ll go and tell Carter and Jo.” Jenna hurried from the room.

Kane walked to the door and whistled to Rowley. “Up here, now.”

With everyone in Jenna’s office, Kane explained the call. “Okay, we’re assuming the Judd sisters are holding Rio and his family against their will. Kara is armed and they want Rio to change back the inheritance for Cade.”

“Thank goodness.” Jo pushed both hands through her hair. “I figured it was another murder. A hostage situation is a nice change of pace.”

“Maybe, but I don’t have the time to deal with this in the middle of multi-homicide cases.” Jenna’s mouth turned down. “Honestly, I can’t believe Cade got himself involved with those two. He was asking for trouble and now it’s happened. I need to nip this in the bud right now. We’ll head out and surround the place.” Jenna pulled her weapon out of the desk drawer, checked the load, and holstered it before looking at her team. “Unless you have a better idea?”

“We need eyes inside before we endanger anyone.” Carter folded his arms across his chest. “I’ll go in and see what’s happening.”

“They’ll never believe you went to check on Rio’s health.” Rowley held his hat in one hand and flapped it against his thigh. “It would have to be me.”

Jenna nodded. “Okay but if these girls are smart, they’ll check you out for a communication device.”

Kane smiled. “They’re trying to extort money from a kid and are holding a deputy and his family hostage.” He shook his head. “That’s not smart.” He pointed to Jenna’s tracker ring. “Will Jenna’s ring fit on your pinky finger? If it does, activate the ring before you go inside and we’ll be able to hear everything. If they do check you for a listening device, which is doubtful, they won’t know about the ring.”

“Try it.” Jenna handed it over. “If you’re doing this, Jake, don’t take any risks. Remember what we discussed about hostage situations. Most are desperate people and will make stupid decisions. The Judd sisters want money. Make it all about making sure they get what they want and leave.”

Kane nodded. “I have cash, so offer them an incentive to leave. Tell them, they can take the money and you’ll forget it ever happened.” He frowned. “Lying isn’t a concern right now. It’s getting the hostages out safe by any means.”

“Got it.” Rowley smile ruefully. “Don’t tell Sandy I volunteered for this, she’ll be as mad as a bee-stung hog.”

When the ring slipped on Rowley’s pinky finger, Kane looked at the others. “We can go in via Olive and cut through the yards. If they see our vehicles, it might spook them.” He looked at Rowley. “Have you got any civvies in the locker room?”

“Yeah, and I’ll take Maggie’s sedan so I don’t spook them. I’ll go and change.” Rowley headed for the door.

“Okay.” Jenna gave a rundown of what she knew about Kara and Amber Judd. “Rio believes Kara is manipulating Cade. He’s been falling off the rails since he met her. She’s in her twenties and has been around the block more than a few times. I’d say Cade is mesmerized by her. When I spoke to them up the mountain, the only positive thing I’d gotten from Kara was that she was taking her sister to school. There must be some semblance of responsibility there, so doing something like this, which could mean jail time and leaving her sister to fend for herself, seems unusual. They must have some plan that involves Cade.”

Kane nodded slowly. “We’ll use our coms and go in silent. Rowley will feed us information and we’ll decide how to play it in the field.” He shrugged. “It’s two women and there’s four of us. How much trouble could they possibly be?”