“Hi. It’s Bobbi.” A crying woman sniffled, panic in her voice. “My daughter has been taken by my sister and her crazy boyfriend, and I don’t know what to do. Brian is in the hospital after his surgery, and I’m alone, and they said they’d kill Rose if I called the police. I need a million dollars.”

Adare straightened. “Your daughter is being ransomed for a million dollars? Do you have a million?” It didn’t make sense to demand that amount from parents still living in an apartment complex. What was going on?

“No, but they sent a text with a picture of Grace at the restaurant. They know who she is—that she’s a famous photographer. They said to ask her for the money. I don’t have it.” Bobbi’s voice rose to shrill.

“So your sister knew all about Grace?” he asked, tossing the covers from the bed and standing up to fetch his jeans.

“Yes. I’ve always been so proud to be Grace’s friend,” Bobbi wailed. “I’d call the police, but the kidnappers will kill Rose. She’s only two years old. How scared she must be. I don’t think my sister would hurt her, not really, but her boyfriend is nuts. He’s on meth and I think he’d be happy to hurt Rose. Or sell her for money for drugs. What should I do?”

Adare drew on his pants and turned to Grace. “Go awaken Ronan. Now.” He headed for the closet to get his shirt and weapons. “Tell me everything about your sister, her boyfriend, and where you’re supposed to go with the money.”

“I don’t have any money,” she sobbed.

“I do. Now start talking.”

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Grace paced the kitchen, wringing her hands. “Let me go with you. Bobbi will need help.”

“No.” Adare clipped several weapons into place on his side and even in his boot. “You’re safe here with the security engaged, and something about this doesn’t smell right.”

“At all,” Ronan agreed, pulling a jacket on over his shoulder harness. He turned and read the panel by the door. “We’re secure and the missiles are armed. Nobody is getting in here.” He leaned down and kissed Faith on the cheek.

Adare paused in the middle of strapping a knife to his leg. “You should stay here. I can go alone.”

Ronan shook his head. “You’re not at full strength yet, and like you said, this is off. Ransom for a toddler whose parents don’t have money? Yeah. Right.”

Adare looked at his watch and nodded. “All right. Benny is en route and will be here in about an hour, so you two just hang tight until he arrives. If there’s any hint of trouble, run downstairs and shut the door. They won’t be able to find the underground room.”