Colorado Abduction (15 page)

Carolyn pushed the thought away. “Why did you want to bring the ransom with us?”

“It doesn’t do much good to have the money if we can’t deliver.”

“I’m surprised,” she said. He’d been consistently opposed to handing over the ransom. “You’re thinking of paying the kidnappers?”

“Only if there’s no other way.”

She wouldn’t miss the money. All she wanted was for Nicole to be back home. Safe.

After they parked, Carolyn followed Burke into the house. He carried the massive backpack over his shoulder. Not exactly a subtle way of transporting the ransom, but it couldn’t be helped. They went immediately to her brother’s office and closed the door. Carolyn knew exactly where to stash the money.

“My father had this safe installed ten years ago,” she said. “We’d had a couple of robberies and he was worried about the amount of cash we keep on hand.”

“Is the safe big enough for this backpack?”

“Oh, yeah.”

She pulled the window curtains tight, remembering the day when her father brought her and Dylan into his office and told them that no one—absolutely no one—was to know the combination to his safe. No one except for Dylan and herself.

Thinking back, she realized that he was probably over-reacting. “Dad wanted a safe that was large enough to hold our cash on hand and the most valuable pieces of art that my mother had picked up.”

“You said that she runs an art gallery in Manhattan, right?”

“Mom has amazing taste. Very expensive taste. For a while, Dad locked up the Gorman sculptures and the paintings
by Georgia O’Keefe.” She gestured to a priceless Charles Russell painting of a cowboy roping a steer above the leather couch. “I convinced him that art was supposed to be seen. If he wasn’t going to put those paintings on the wall, he might as well send them to my mom.”

She unfastened two hidden latches on a bookcase. It swung open like a door on well-oiled hinges. The wall safe behind it was five feet tall.

“Excellent,” Burke said. “The money should be safe in there.”

She twirled the combination lock and opened the safe. There was plenty of room inside. As soon as Burke deposited the backpack, she closed the steel door and returned the bookcase to its original position. For now, the million-dollar ransom was secure.

She turned and faced Burke. He leaned against her brother’s desk with his arms folded across his broad chest.

“About those questions you asked in the car,” he said.

“Yes?”

“Did I pass your test?”

“I wasn’t—”

“Sure you were. You’re checking me out, trying to decide what to do about this attraction we’re both feeling. Don’t deny it, Carolyn.”

“It’s what I do,” she said without apology. “I gather information, make decisions and take action.”

“You’re an effective businesswoman. No doubt about that.”

But was she so skillful when it came to more personal decisions? She tried to make an assessment. From the way he conducted his life and the way he coped with his past, she assumed that he was a good man. Decent. Strong. A leader. But not someone she’d look to for a long-term relationship.
He definitely wasn’t a man who wanted to settle down and have babies. “You’ve been honest with me.”

“I have.”

His smile drew her closer. There was no logical way to analyze the magnetism between them. She couldn’t explain the sensual shivers that prickled the hairs on her arms. Nor could she deny them. “You’re a man I can trust.”

She approached him, deliberately unfolded his arms and stepped into his embrace. Then, she kissed him.

Without hesitation, he responded. His mouth was hot and demanding. He closed his arms around her, enveloped her, dominated her, held her so tightly that he took her breath away.

Carolyn reeled in his arms, unaccustomed to such fierce passion. Her leg wrapped around his thigh, squeezing hard, rubbing against him. Arousal spread through her like wildfire. She wanted more from him. Demanded it.

He tore off her jacket, discarded it on the floor of the office and peeled off his own. Her hands dove under his black turtleneck and climbed his chest, reveling in the touch of crisp hair and hard muscle. Kissing him again, her arms encircled him. Her fingers clutched at his back.

A deep growl emanated from his throat, and she met that primitive sound with a moan of her own. No more time for thought. Only action.

He swung her around so she was pressed against the desk, and she was glad for the support. He yanked her shirt over her head. In a deft move, he unhooked her bra. He tugged at her barrette and her hair cascaded out of the ponytail.

For a moment he paused. His dark eyes slid over her body, naked from the waist up. “Beautiful,” he murmured.

Slowly and purposefully, he cupped her breasts and lowered his head to suckle at her rose-colored nipples.

Her back arched. She bared her throat as a burst of pleasure exploded inside her.

He went lower, trailing his clever tongue along the center line of her torso. Her belt was open. He unfastened the top button of her jeans.

Breathing hard, she slithered through his grasp and sank to the floor in front of the desk. No way would she be the only person naked in this equation.

“Your shirt,” she growled. “Take it off.”

“You like to give orders.”

“I like to be obeyed.”

When he took off his shirt, she stared, unabashed. Oh yes, he was something else. Big. Strong. Gorgeous.

She lay back on the woven Navajo rug. “Now your jeans.”

“You’re going first.”

Teasing, he tugged at her jeans while she made a half-hearted effort to keep them on. This was a battle of wills that she had no intention of winning.

Finally, their clothes were gone. He lowered himself on top of her. The sensation of flesh meeting flesh created a friction unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Burke matched her passion and overwhelmed her.

He drew away from her and reached for his jeans. “I need a condom.”

“It’s okay. I’m on the pill.” In his eyes, she saw a hint of hesitation. “Damn it, Burke. I’m clean. This is the safest sex you’ll ever have.”

“There’s nothing safe about you, lady.”

He was right about that. Nothing safe about either one of them.

Burke hadn’t come to the Carlisle Ranch to make friends, and he never expected to find a lover. Her long, sexy legs wrapped around him. Her arms held him tight. Before he
realized what she was doing, she’d rolled over so she was on top, straddling him. In control.

Oh hell, no.
He wanted more from her before he reached climax.

He pulled her back down and rolled again. He looked down into her fascinating green eyes. Her lips parted. He covered her mouth with his own, stealing her breath.

She turned her head away. Her body writhed beneath him. “Now,” she demanded.

“Not yet.”

His need had grown to an almost unbearable level, but he intended to make this moment into something she’d remember for the rest of her life. Paying careful, sensual attention to every part of her body, he brought her to the shivering edge of climax.

“Please,” she gasped. “Please, Burke.”

“Since you ask so politely…”

He entered her with a hard thrust. She drew him tighter, tighter. The time for game playing was over. He couldn’t hold back for one more second. Driven by a primal need, the fierce rhythm of their lovemaking raced, fast and furious, until they exploded together.

He collapsed onto the rug beside her, holding her trembling body against him.

There was no need for words.

Finally, he and Carolyn were in total agreement.

Gradually he became aware of the reality of their surroundings. They were lying on a woven rug on a hard floor. The air was chilly. He kissed the top of her head. Her black hair was soft and smelled like spring flowers. “Carolyn?”

She responded with a muffled sound and snuggled closer.

“Carolyn, are you asleep?”

He separated from her and looked down. Her eyes were
closed. A contented smile curved her lips. He studied her face in a way she’d never allow if she’d been awake and scrappy. In the smooth curve of her forehead he saw innocence and sweetness. The stubborn jut of her chin relaxed as she slept. She was a pretty woman, extremely pretty. But he preferred Carolyn when she was awake and full of fire.

He stood and gently lifted her from the floor. Though she shifted in his arms, she gave no sign of waking up. He placed her on the leather sofa and covered her with an afghan. Later he’d figure out a way to get her up to her own bed.

In moments he was dressed. He wished he had more time to stay with Carolyn. Spending the night in her arms would be sheer luxury.

But he had work to do.

In the dining room, he found Corelli hunched over his bank of computers. In spite of the hour, the only sign that Corelli was frazzled was the loosening of the knot on his necktie.

“Have you gotten any sleep?” Burke asked.

“Catnaps,” Corelli replied. “I only require four hours a night.”

Burke understood. He was much the same way. During the course of a job like this, he stayed pumped on adrenaline and coffee. Afterwards, he’d keel over and sleep for twenty-four hours. “What have you heard on the bug in Logan’s office?”

“A lot,” Corelli said. “If you want, I can play back every conversation.”

“Give me a summary.”

“The SOF mounted a search for Sunny. They have no clue that you were involved in her rescue, but Logan was quick to blame Carolyn. He said she was a bad influence who probably put the thought of running away in Sunny’s mind. Then he called off the search. Their assumption is that she’s here at the ranch.”

Which validated what Carolyn had told him after her
phone conversation with Logan. Burke hadn’t planned on taking Sunny to the hospital. But that move might have turned out to be a stroke of good fortune. “Tell me more.”

“Apparently, there’s discontent among the other women. Several of them—especially those with children—want out.”

Burke would do his best to accommodate their wishes. If he could get the innocents away from Logan, there might be a chance to get inside the SOF and search for Nicole. “Any talk of the kidnapping?”

“Not a word,” Corelli said. “The major topic of conversation is a big delivery. They’re real careful not to say what it is. Even among themselves, they call it the Big D.”

“A reference to whatever they’re smuggling.” Big D sounded like drugs, but the whole need for secrecy along a mountain pass and trail made him think of something larger. “I want you to interface with Logan’s computer and find out more.”

“Already done.” Corelli permitted himself a grin. “Logan has been corresponding with other survivalist groups, similar to the Sons of Freedom.”

“Meaning insignificant.”

“Correct. These are small enclaves in remote areas of Texas, Arizona and Montana. None of them pop up on FBI surveillance records, but taken all together they form a network. My best guess is that they’re smuggling illegal weaponry and drugs.”

“Information that needs to be reported.”

“Yes, sir,” Corelli said.

An organized network of survivalists involved in smuggling was something the FBI—and several other government agencies—would be interested in. But Burke’s main concern was Nicole’s safety. “When the time is right, we’ll pass this information along. For now. Our focus is the kidnap victim.”

“Understood.” Corelli looked toward a flashing light on
his phone bank. “That’s another call from Logan. Should I tell Carolyn or let it go to voice mail?”

“I’ll take it,” Burke said. He held the receiver to his ear and identified himself. “Special Agent J. D. Burke.”

“I want Carolyn,” Logan said.

I’ll bet you do.
“You can talk to me.”

There was a moment of silence while Logan considered.

Burke had nothing to say to this ass. Logan had probably kidnapped Nicole. He’d definitely terrorized Sunny and threatened Carolyn. If he acted on that threat, if he so much as touched one hair on her head, Burke would rain terror on this self-important survivalist.

But that wasn’t how he’d been taught as a negotiator. His job was to get Logan talking. He forced a conversational tone. “Let’s talk, Logan. Why did you call?”

“I know you have Sunny at the ranch. I want her back.”

Burke couldn’t really use Sunny as a bargaining chip; there was no way he’d return the new mother and her baby to the SOF compound. But Burke did have something to offer. Logan was expecting a big shipment, and he wouldn’t want the FBI around for that delivery.

“Here’s the deal, Logan. My only concern is Nicole Carlisle’s safety. If you help me find her, I’ll pack up and go, taking the choppers and the searchers with me. You’ll be left in peace.”

“I want Sunny back.”

Burke’s jaw tightened. “She’s not here.”

“You’re lying.”

“Tell me about Nicole.”

“Go to hell, Burke. I’m not scared of you or any of your fed buddies. And you can tell Carolyn that, too. Tell her that I’m holding her personally responsible for Sunny. She knows better than to cross me.”

“Leave her out of this. You’re talking to me now.”

“Then let the consequences rest on your head.”

“What consequences?”

“I will have my revenge.”

He hung up before Burke could tell him what real revenge looked like. He pried his tense fingers from the telephone receiver and turned to Corelli. “When is the Big D supposed to happen?”

“Monday night.”

The same night that the ransom was supposed to be delivered. A plan began to form in Burke’s mind.

The next morning, Carolyn wakened to the full light of morning glaring around the edges of the closed shades in her bedroom. She glanced at the digital clock on her bedside table. Ten thirty-seven? She seldom slept this late.

The need to get moving warred with a contented lassitude—the aftermath of last night’s incredible passion in the office.
How did I get into my bed?
She looked under the comforter and saw that she was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt.
I don’t remember getting dressed.

But she did recall—in spectacular detail—making love to Special Agent J. D. Burke. A happy little sigh escaped her lips as she snuggled deeper under the comforter. A quiver rippled through her, a reminder of Burke’s touch. She licked her lips, imagining that she could still taste him. Behind closed eyes, she saw his muscular chest and arms. His powerful body…

The door to her bedroom crashed open. Dylan charged toward her bed and shook her. “Carolyn, get up.”

In an instant, she went from sweet reverie to full alert. “What is it?”

“Proof of life. We got a videotape. You need to see this.”

She lunged from the bed and grabbed her plaid flannel
bathrobe from the hook in the closet. Barefoot, she followed him down the stairs.

In the living room, she saw Corelli hooking up a dusty, old VCR player to the flat-screen television. In a crisp voice, he informed them that nobody used equipment like this anymore. Later, he’d transfer the images to a DVD. But they shouldn’t hope for crystal-clear definition.

“Why not?” Polly demanded as she peeked over his shoulder.

“Twenty-first-century technology doesn’t do me any good when the kidnapper is using stuff that’s decades old. First, a Polaroid photograph. Then a pay phone. Now this.”

Lucas was also in the room. And Special Agent Smith who, she assumed, had taken over the search coordination efforts since Silverman was at the hospital with Sunny.

Her gaze went to Burke. A forest-green turtleneck outlined his broad shoulders. Though his brown hair was mussed, he looked awake and supremely competent. His dark eyes met hers in brief acknowledgment. There was no time to indulge in morning-after conversation or sweet, sexy whispers. There could only be a glance between them.

Corelli pushed the play button and stepped away from the screen.

When Nicole’s face appeared, Dylan shuddered.

“It’s Sunday morning,” Nicole said.

Behind her was a faded yellow sheet that looked like it had been tacked to a wall. The image showed only her head and shoulders. She reached up and tucked her blond hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry about me,” she said. “I’m fine. I have plenty to eat and drink, and I’m being well cared for.”

Her blue eyes seemed calm and untroubled. Considering what she’d been through, she looked good.

“I’ve been asked to remind you about the ransom. One million dollars in cash. That’s a lot of money, isn’t it?” She
drew her fingers across her lips. “If you follow instructions, everything will turn out okay. See you soon.”

The screen went blank.

Burke moved in front of the screen. “First impressions?”

In a choked voice, Dylan spoke, “I’ve never seen that blouse before.”

“Are you sure?” Carolyn asked. “I didn’t think you paid much attention to clothes.”

“I know what she had on yesterday. I’ll never forget.”

Polly said, “I think Dylan’s right about the blouse. I’ve done my share of laundry here and Nicole doesn’t have anything with flowers. I’m not so sure about the beige cardigan.”

“First impressions,” Burke repeated. “Carolyn?”

She forced her drowsy mind to focus. “It didn’t sound like she was reading from a script. She was conversational, but distant. Like she was using her bedside manner.”

“Explain,” Burke said.

“I’ve gone with Nicole a couple of times when she’s treating a sick animal. When she chats with the owner, she uses that tone.”

“Right,” Dylan said. “It’s her ‘Don’t Panic’ voice. She’s trying to tell us to stay calm. Damn it, she always puts other people first.”

“Lucas,” Burke said, “what’s your impression?”

“Didn’t look like she’d been hurt none.”

Carolyn studied the old, bowlegged cowboy. He sat on the edge of the sofa, leaning forward. His hair looked like it hadn’t been washed recently, and his stubble was a couple of days old. More than anyone else in the room, he showed signs of falling apart. She wanted to believe it was because he was concerned about Nicole. But if he was the traitor, he’d feel guilty. Remorse would gnaw at his gut.

“Okay, Smith,” Burke said. “Give us a profiler’s opinion.”

As Agent Smith stepped in front of the screen, Carolyn realized how short he was, probably only five feet seven inches, with square shoulders and a thick torso. His blond hair was cut short, military-style, and it made his head seem square.

“It’s all good,” he said. “As Lucas pointed out, she doesn’t appear to be injured. Or drugged. The tone that Carolyn referred to as bedside manner might not only be for our benefit. She could have established a rapport with the kidnappers. That’s positive.”

“Why?” Dylan asked.

“In captivity, a hostage undergoes feelings of panic, fear and rage,” he lectured. “Nicole appears to be suppressing those primal reactions. Instead, she’s cooperating, forcing the kidnappers to see her as an individual, convincing them that she’s on their side. In that circumstance, they’re far less likely to hurt her.”

As Burke paced across the floor, Carolyn couldn’t help admiring the way he moved. Smooth, long strides. He said, “We’re going to play this tape several times. I want you to look for any clue to her whereabouts. Nicole might be giving us some kind of signal.”

“Like what?” Polly asked.

“A facial expression. The way she blinks. The way she phrases her words.”

As she watched, again and again, Carolyn’s anger returned. She wished she could jump inside the picture and drag Nicole home.

In the Polaroid, Nicole had put them on the right track with hand signals indicating the Circle M. This time, she seemed to be doing the same thing.

She had gestured twice. Once to tuck her hair behind her ear, forming a circle. Then she stroked her finger along the line of her mouth. Actually, three fingers. A sideways
M.

Nicole’s message was the same: Circle M.

Carolyn looked toward Lucas. If he was in communication with the SOF, she didn’t want to say anything in front of him. He might report back and get Nicole in trouble. Why was Burke allowing Lucas to stay in the room?

“I’m drawing a blank,” Polly said. “Anybody need coffee?”

Carolyn raised her hand. “I do.”

Coffee and some kind of breakfast sounded heavenly. She followed Polly into the kitchen and poured herself a mug. “Thanks for moving up to the house, Polly. Did you sleep well?”

“I did, thank you. My husband could hardly close his eyes. He’s so excited about being in the middle of all this. Not that he’s happy about the kidnapping.”

“Of course not.” Carolyn understood that Polly’s husband and his illness took precedence over anything else. “How long have you and Juan been married?”

“Almost twenty years. Second marriage for both of us.” She grinned. “And the second time’s the charm.”

They had a good marriage, and Carolyn wondered what went into that kind of relationship. Was it something she could learn? “How did you know you and Juan were in love? Was it fast as lightning?”

“More like a slow, gathering storm. We were friends for months before anything happened. But as soon as he kissed me, I knew he was the man I’d spend the rest of my life with.”

“All it took was one kiss?”

Polly raised an eyebrow. “You’re asking a lot of questions, Carolyn. This wouldn’t have anything to do with that good-looking FBI agent, would it?”

She wasn’t ready to talk about Burke, not even to Polly.
Carolyn sipped her coffee. “Where do you think Nicole got that blouse?”

“Not sure, but I was glad to see her in clean clothes.” Polly opened the fridge and took out an orange. “You didn’t answer my question about Burke.”

“I guess I didn’t.”

“The way you were brought up, surrounded by cowboys and having to be as tough as they are, you need a man who’s as strong-willed and stubborn as you. Burke would be a good match for you.”

“That’s your opinion,” Carolyn said.

“Mark my words. You’re not going to end up with some fancy-pants, city-boy lawyer.”

Burke strode into the kitchen and they both went silent. He was definitely not a fancy-pants. The opposite, in fact. Totally rugged, he exploded with masculine energy.

“Get dressed, Carolyn. We’re going for a ride on the Indian Trail.”

“Give me fifteen minutes.”

He checked his wristwatch, a habit that she’d come to realize was his way of maintaining control. “Ten,” he said.

“Twelve,” she countered.

“Meet me in the barn.”

B
URKE STOOD IN THE BARN
doorway and tapped the face of his wristwatch. Twelve minutes had passed. He hadn’t really expected Carolyn to get ready so quickly, and he was surprised to see her stride from the house wearing her boots, hat and a canvas jacket. From this distance, her expression was unreadable, but her confidence showed in every swaggering step she took.

Stopping in front of him, she planted her fists on her hips. “Fast enough for you?”

“You’re a speed demon.” He wanted to tell her that she was the sexiest demon he’d ever seen. Naturally beautiful. No need for makeup. Her black lashes and arched brows high-lighted her transparent green eyes.

Carolyn took an energy bar from her jacket pocket and tore off the wrapping. “Mind telling me why I’m here?”

“I need your help to find the cave Sunny mentioned.”

“Ah, yes. Her supposedly romantic hideaway near Cathedral Rocks.” She raised the bar to her mouth. “I don’t know the exact location, but I can take you to the rocks. Why are we going there?”

“It occurred to me that a secluded hideout might be the place where Nicole is being held, being guarded by Butch Thurgood and Richter. I was wrong about that.”

“How do you know?”

“This morning, at first light, I sent the chopper team to investigate. They located the cave. No one was there.”

“Then, why are we—”

“Closer inspection,” he said. He nodded to two uniformed men who were already on horseback, waiting outside the corral. “These deputies are going to run some forensic tests. We might find evidence that Nicole was at the cave.”

The search team in the chopper had also made another discovery. Hovering near the pine trees where Sunny met up with them last night, they spotted a grave-sized mound of earth. Tonight, under cover of darkness, he’d take a team to excavate.

Past experience taught him that the body would be buried at least two-and-a-half feet deep with rocks on top. Otherwise, the coyotes would have dug up the corpse of Barbara Ayers. A check of the FBI database showed that she and her sister, Lisa, were listed as missing persons. The sisters had disappeared over a year ago.

Carolyn chomped on the energy bar. “If we head out on the road, we’ll hook up with the Indian Trail. It’s easy to follow.”

“I don’t want to go that way,” he said. “The SOF could be watching the ranch, and I don’t want them to know what we’re doing.”

“Good point. We can go west, then south over the ridge. That way, we’ll stay on Carlisle land for most of the ride.”

“I knew you’d have an answer.” He turned on his heel and went into the barn where their horses were saddled and ready. After Logan’s threat of revenge, he hadn’t really wanted Carolyn to leave the house. But he needed her help. “GPS isn’t much good in unmarked mountain terrain.”

She went directly to Elvis and stroked his nose. “We’re going for a ride, pal. What do you think about that?”

Elvis bobbed his head. Burke had never seen a horse with so much personality. The bay with a white blaze on his forehead was one of a kind. Like his owner.

He went to a wood bench and picked up a Kevlar vest. “You need to wear this, Carolyn.”

A frown pulled at the corner of her soft pink lips. “Why?”

“Because we need to take the SOF seriously.” He lowered his voice, though no one else was in the barn. “Corelli accessed Logan’s computer and he’s been listening to the bug. Logan didn’t see us make the rescue, but he assumes you’re somehow responsible. He thinks you influenced Sunny.”

“Of course he’d blame me. The wicked city woman.”

“Put on the vest, Carolyn.” He paused, then added the magic word. “Please.”

She took the vest from him. “I don’t see you wearing any kind of protection.”

“Logan’s ticked off at you, not me.” She seemed to have that effect on people. “But I suppose you’re right. I’ll stop at the van and pick up my own vest.”

“I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

“I’ll be okay,” he said. “Logan might have shot up my vehicle, but he’s not dumb enough to injure a fed.”

“Don’t underestimate Sam Logan,” she said. “He’s a lot dumber than you think.”