Keith’s white Avalanche pulled into a state park outside of Eugene. A minute later, Keith and Terrance walked on either side of Nick as they approached Adam in the middle of the parking lot. Adam stood alone, not wanting to reveal Herald’s involvement. Adam could see the question in Nick’s worried eyes at first, but then Nick seemed to guess that Adam was protecting her.
“Where’s that girl?” Keith demanded.
Adam tried his best to get around the question. “Let’s just keep this simple. I’ve got the money.”
“This is a serious situation, I don’t want any games. Now where is she?”
This had been his uncle growing up. His family. Now Adam saw not only suspicion, but hatred in Keith’s eyes. “We thought it’d be safer this way.”
Keith’s gaze moved to the briefcase in Adam’s hand.
“You can count it.” Adam opened the briefcase, sat it down, and then stepped back. Terrance grabbed it and both he and Keith looked it over. They decided it was all accounted for and clean.
Nick slightly tipped his head at Adam in question. Adam responded with a very slight sideward movement of his head. He didn’t want Nick losing it out here and getting someone killed, but he couldn’t ignore him. Nick had never fallen for a girl like this, with his heart and soul. Adam knew Nick’s feelings about Cora were bigger and stronger than his drive to go to law school and defend the helpless. That was saying a lot when it came to his cousin. Nick clinched both his fists, and appeared to be on the brink of exploding.
After closing the briefcase, Keith stood and said, “This is all over now, and you’re both out as far as the family is concerned.”
A look passed from Nick to Adam, and they didn’t need to waste words expressing their feelings. Keith and Terrance headed back to their vehicle, and Herald pulled the car forward.
They jumped in and Herald hit the accelerator. They sped out of the parking lot in the opposite direction of Keith’s Avalanche. It should have been time for their victory dance but instead Nick pounded his fists into the back of the seat.
“Where is Cora?” Nick’s voice was grim.
“Alexander’s got her, we think.” Adam spoke in a low voice through gritted teeth. He was angry at himself for letting it happen, and for not knowing where to begin the search for her. “She called, but couldn’t tell us anything. So we came and got you.”
Nick balled his fists again but stopped himself from hitting anything. “That’s it? No ideas?”
Herald and Adam said his name at the same time and kept talking.
“The police are watching the airports.”
“And now the FBI is on the case.”
“What brought them in?” Nick asked.
Herald explained, “Keith’s been under investigation for a year. Someone alerted them to the drug operation, but they haven’t been able to collect enough evidence to arrest yet.”
“It’s better than that.” Adam handed Nick a 9 mm handgun to replace the Beretta Terrance took from him. “They believe us.”
“Great.” Nick’s low, tight voice sounded more determined than Adam had ever heard it. Nick checked the gun for ammunition. “Now if we can find Cora. How long ago did you hear from her?”