May 13th, National Adventure Race Qualifying Meet, Washington State
“Hey, great race, Kendall.” Logan smiled at her, sweat beading his brow.
“Thanks. You guys were pretty impressive too. Who knows, if we keep this up, our team could finish in the top five by the end of the season.” Kendall winked at Jody. “Since when did you learn to shoot the rapids that way, girl? I was sure you were in for a dunking.” Jody was leaning against Logan’s chest, her head resting in the crook of his shoulder.
Jody beamed. “I told you I’ve been practicing. After your brother’s comment at our last race, I thought it might be wise to put in some extra training. He’s a tough man to please, and I don’t want to be the reason we don’t make it to the championships.”
“Don’t be silly, you were great out there. And if we don’t make it, there’s always next year.” Kendall smiled. “As for pleasing Trace, I don’t think any woman’s capable of that.”
“Where’d he get off to anyway?” asked Logan, motioning to the bike loaded on the truck. “There’s his bike, right?”
“Yeah, that’s it,” said Kendall, running her fingers along the mud caked rim. She looked around the lot. Most of the cars were gone, the empty spaces marked by the growing shadows blanketing the mountain.
“Probably off taking care of some personal business, if you know what I mean,” said Logan.
“Maybe, but it’s not like him to leave his bike on the truck without locking it.” Kendall fingered the open latch. “He’s paranoid, you know. He thinks everyone’s out to get him, and his stuff.”
“At least all the pretty ladies,” teased Jody. She stifled a moan when Logan slipped his fingers beneath her shirt and tweaked her nipple. Kendall rolled her eyes. The man seemed insatiable, and didn’t seem to care where they were or who was watching them. Jody giggled, batting his hand away.
Great, thought Kendall. I introduced them and now they’re the ones having all the sex. Some things just aren’t fair.
Jody shifted as Logan made another attempt, focusing her attention back on Kendall. “I’m sure he’ll be along any moment. I think he was upset we placed fourth. I know he was hoping we’d qualify for the Championships this time around, and I don’t think finishing one spot short went over too well with him. Adventure racing is his passion.”
“You mean obsession,” countered Kendall, turning toward the truck. Logan seemed determined to get his hand down Jody’s running tights and she wasn’t in the mood to be a spectator. She walked around to the driver’s door glad she’d convinced her brother to bring their truck instead of riding with their friends. Somehow Trace’s irritated attitude seemed more appealing than listening to Jody scream as Logan brought her to orgasm on the ride down. From the stories her friend had told her, the man was quite inventive. She chuckled, trying not to picture the scene, as she reached for the handle.
“Hey, guys?” She pointed to the door when they joined her at the truck. “Please tell me those aren’t Trace’s keys in the lock.” She turned, suppressing the initial wave of fear knotting her stomach, as she searched the tree line. “Trace?”
“I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for all this,” assured Logan.
“Then why do you sound so anxious?” asked Kendall, glancing over at him. “Trace!” she yelled again, louder, more desperate. It wasn’t like Trace to run off. Not without telling her. She cupped her hands to her face just as Jody tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around, resisting the urge to scream. Blood pounded through her veins, her heart beating in sync with the heaving of her chest. “What?”
Jody pointed inside the car, her hand trembling against the glass.
Kendall looked through the window, a flash of panic tingling up her spine. She pulled the door open, drawn to the objects centered on the seat.
“No,” she whispered, falling to her knees as she stared at a picture of her mother with Trace’s wallet layered on top, the leather soaked with blood.
* * * *
“There were over two hundred people at this insane race,” scolded Special Agent Dawson Cade. “Explain to me how no one managed to see anything. I mean, the guy was taken right here!” He waved his hand around the gravel lot. “It’s hardly a secluded area. And how do you steal a man like Trace Walker without there being any evidence of a struggle? The guy’s six feet tall, and two hundred pounds of muscle.”
“I’m still not convinced the guy was stolen,” said the officer. “After all, the only thing we know for certain is that some of his blood didn’t go with him.”
“Oh, he was taken,” said Dawson, staring into the truck. “And you can bet this is far from over.” He turned to the officer. “You said his sister and two friends found the wallet?”
“That’s right. They said they were right behind him. Can’t imagine how he disappeared so fast.”
“That’s easy. Someone was waiting.” He glanced back at the wallet. “Where are they?”
“Over at my cruiser. The sister’s pretty upset. Something to do with the picture, I think. She wouldn’t say.” The cop looked back at him, one eyebrow raised in question. “You don’t think they’re involved, do you?”
“I doubt it. But they know more about this than they’re saying, or at least more than they realize. The wallet was staged. Whoever took Trace Walker wanted them to find it. And they had to know the Bureau would get involved, so they don’t perceive us as much of a threat. That’s what we should be afraid of.”
Dawson headed for the cruiser, his attention focused on the three people huddled around the open door. One of the women was leaning against the man’s chest. Lovers, he thought. He stopped just short of them. “I’m Special Agent Dawson Cade.”
The man and woman stepped back. The other woman was sitting on the edge of the seat, staring at the ground. She had something in her lap. It looked like a small stuffed animal.
“Which one of you is Kendall Walker?”
The couple looked over at the woman in the car. He followed their gaze. “Ms. Walker?”
She nodded, but didn’t speak.
He stepped closer, kneeling down to her level. “I realize you must be upset right now, but if we’re going to find your brother, I need—”
“You won’t find Trace,” she interrupted. “Not until that bastard wants you to. He’s too clever for that.”
Dawson drew back, not sure he’d heard her right. “You sound like you know who took him.”
“I do.”
“Who?”
“Not here.” She looked around at the encroaching forest. “Take me home.”
Dawson frowned. Shock or insanity? It was a fine line and he wasn’t certain which side the woman was edging toward. “If you’d just give me a name, I could spare you a lot of inane questions. At least for today.”
Finally she looked at him, fire burning behind her pale eyes. “His name won’t do you any good, not by itself. And I don’t have the resources to explain myself here. Now either take me home, or keep looking for clues you aren’t going to find.” She stood up, clutching the small object in her hands. “He’s not trying to hide his identity from you. I wouldn’t be surprised if his prints weren’t all over the keys and wallet. He wants you to know his name. There’s no power in that.”
“So why not tell me now?” challenged Dawson.
“Because you need more, and I can’t give you that here.” She pushed past him and headed for a blue jeep parked near the trail. “Yours is the Cherokee, right?” She didn’t wait, but walked straight to his car, seating herself in the front.
Dawson cursed and turned to the others. “Are you coming too?”
“I don’t think Kendall wants us there. Not yet. And we already gave a statement. We just didn’t want to leave her here alone.” Logan handed him a business card. “Here’s my number. We’ll both be there. Call us when she needs us.”
Dawson nodded. He didn’t like being played, and right now he felt like his grandpa’s fiddle. “You can count on it.” He turned, then paused. “I don’t suppose I have to tell you two not to leave town?” He looked at them over his shoulder. Jody nodded as Logan pulled her tight to his chest. “I didn’t think so.” He walked over to his jeep, slamming the door shut. “Where to?”
“Just head down the mountain,” said Kendall, “and we’ll go from there.”
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