“I hope that made you laugh a little. Here’s where you’re headed tomorrow. It’s a win-win situation no matter what. Head to the first place we took you for hard-shell crabs. At the marina, look for a boat named after our first dog. You’ll find a waterproof pouch in the bottom galley drawer. In addition to a file with the information I need you to examine, you’ll find a one-hundred-dollar bill to pay for lunch. A hundred bucks buys a lot of fresh crabs—and a few ice-cold beers to wash them down. Press three to repeat that message or one to continue.”

Devin tapped one.

“I love you, Kari, and your father so much, Devin. I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I put the three of you through all of this. Be very careful, and don’t trust anyone—except the one I send your way.”

The call ended, and he stared at the phone for several seconds. Did that really just happen? His mom had somehow put together an automated phone and text-message-alert system in case someone tried to murder or kidnap her? This either took her craziness to the next level or—he didn’t know. It had to be more of the madness. Right?

He lay down with the phone still in his hand and stared at the ceiling. May as well get used to the view. The prospect of a food-induced sleep had just been revoked. His heart raced at twice its resting rate, his feet and hands tingling. It would take him a few hours to come down from this adrenaline rush. Whether he could fall asleep after that was anyone’s guess.

Devin looked at the initial text message again. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope. Of all the things she could have picked to say, this hit him pretty hard. He could picture them stuffed into the corner of the sectional, snuggled up under a blanket watching Star Wars. Mom and Dad in the middle. Kari on one side. Devin on the other. He wiped the tears from his eyes. What the hell happened at that intersection in Tennessee, Mom?

Maybe the answer waited for him in Annapolis, on a boat named Sadie. There was only one way to find out. Worst-case scenario? The information turned out to be nothing. Devin enjoying a lazy afternoon cracking open perfectly seasoned hard-shell crabs and downing a few cold beers while overlooking the water. Best-case scenario? It all depended on what was in the file. Either way, he’d enjoy cold beers and steaming-hot crabs for lunch. Like his mom said: win-win.

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11

Harvey Rudd braced one hand against the dashboard, his eyes fixed on the phone screen held firmly in the other. As the SUV lurched to a stop, his torso pressed against the lap and shoulder belts.

“Take it easy,” said Rudd. “We’re not in a race.”