Side by Side

62

Sean Massey used the GPS in her Lexus to find Judge Fondren’s house. Most of the downstairs windows were lit up, the porch light on. Sean didn’t see any cars on the street with people inside them. She had promised Hank she would make sure nobody was watching the judge’s house.

Sean parked in the driveway, strolled up to the porch, and rang the doorbell.

A thin, distinguished man with white hair and reading glasses perched on his nose opened the door and looked down at her.

“Judge Fondren?”

The man nodded reluctantly. “May I help you?”

“I hope so. I’m Sean Massey. Hank Trammel told me to use his name.”

“Hank Trammel?”

“U.S. marshal. Ran the office here.”

“Of course. Trammel. Do I know you?”

“No. My husband is Winter Massey. He was a U.S. deputy marshal.”

“Hell-comes-to-breakfast Massey?” The judge cracked a knowing smile.

“Is that his nickname?” she asked.

“Among others. I know your husband by reputation. What’s he up to these days?”

“At the present he’s been working with Special FBI Agent Alexa Keen to find your daughter and grandson.”

The smile vanished and Fondren’s pale blue eyes scanned the street. He stepped back and opened the door wide. “You’d better come inside, Mrs. Massey.”

He closed the door behind her.

“You didn’t know, did you?” Sean asked. “Alexa didn’t tell you about my husband?”

“Perhaps with his reputation, Agent Keen may have thought it best not to mention your husband was involved. She probably thought I’d think the chance of my family being caught in a cross-fire would cause me needless worry.”

“If she doesn’t have them safe by Monday, you’ll let Bryce walk?”

His eyebrows rose. He considered the question, then nodded slightly.

“But Alexa isn’t planning to get to them until after the sentencing,” Sean said. “And, sir, Lucy and Elijah will be dead and buried an hour after you let Hunter Bryce walk. Alexa Keen is part of a conspiracy to free Bryce. Clayton Able, Alexa, and her sister, Major Antonia Keen, are not at all what they purport to be.”

“And why should I believe that?”

“Because my husband said so.”

“I know Alexa Keen quite well. I don’t know you at all, and I don’t know your husband except to say hello.”

“Think about it: When did Alexa Keen last make contact with you before the abduction?”

“Two weeks ago Agent Keen was in town for a meeting. She called me up for lunch. I’ve known the woman for ten years.”

“And before that when did you last see her?”

“Maybe two, three years. How is this important?”

“And when she met you for lunch, did she say anything like, ‘If you ever need anything, call me first’? Or play up the fact that she has the number one solve rate for kidnappings? When you contacted her after Lucy and Elijah were abducted, did she suggest you not tell anybody else? Not to tell a single soul, because Bryce has friends in sensitive positions everywhere-even inside the FBI?”

Judge Fondren put his hand to his chin and rubbed the short whiskers.

“Winter knows who has your family, Your Honor, and he knows where. He is also pretty sure Alexa does, too.”

“I’ve known Alexa Keen for ten years,” the judge repeated.

“Winter has known her a lot longer and a lot better. And yet she’s betrayed him, and people who are in on this with her have tried to kill him three times. The kidnappers are a local bunch of thugs who are getting their orders from Bryce’s friends.”

“Exactly who are Bryce’s friends, Mrs. Massey?”

“A Russian crime group waiting for delivery of an arms shipment and members of our military intelligence who are involved in the smuggling operation. Major Antonia Keen is an Army intelligence officer. She’s the connection.”

“Say this is true. What do you expect me to do?”

“Winter’s on his way to get your family out. He’s all alone. He must have figured you’d know what to do. I was just supposed to get word to you.”

“Do you know where he’s going?”

Sean pulled a map of North and South Carolina out of her coat and opened it on the table. She picked up the judge’s pen and pointed to the circle Hank had drawn. “Right about here. Off of Clark Road.”

“I see.”

“Can you get him some backup?”

“All the help he needs,” the judge said, frowning. “Gentlemen, Mrs. Massey wants our help.”

Sean looked up from the map as two men dressed entirely in black filled the doorway. The machine guns in their hands had large silencers on them.

“Please, Judge Fondren, there’s no time-” Sean started.

He looked down at her. “I’m terribly sorry to have deceived you, Mrs. Massey. My name is Kelly Crisp. Judge Fondren is upstairs resting.”

Sean felt a sour burning in her stomach. “Exactly who are you?” she managed to ask.

“We’re government employees, Mrs. Massey.” Kelly Crisp’s smile could only be described as predatory.