“Unfortunately, we know what the Krupins have done in the past, but we’ve never been able to get our hands on either of them,” said Dan. “So far, this time isn’t any different. We have no idea where either of the Krupins are right now. They’re like ghosts.”
“Then what’s going to happen?” Logan asked.
“Hopefully, Dan and his men will find a way to apprehend the brothers,” said Mack, looking around the room. “Until then, E-Force is still in charge of protection. We have Logan’s mother in a safe place. So our main responsibility is to keep guard over the people in this room.”
“Which means, we’re asking all of you to lay low for a while,” said Dan. “Except perhaps Cole, because there’s no indication he’s a target at this time, and a sudden change in his behavior might clue in Alexander.” Dan turned to Ellery. “Ms. Akins, we’re fairly confident you would be a prime target.”
“I can’t lay low,” Ellery said. “I just started law school. I can’t miss class.”
“Ughh!” Allegra groaned. “And I’m sick of being trapped here.”
Logan glanced at Ellery, hoping she might guess from Allegra’s comment that the two of them weren’t in a relationship. But as usual, her face was unreadable.
“We’ll be bringing the Senator in on the case, of course,” Dan said, addressing Allegra. “I would imagine he’ll want his daughter close by under these circumstances.”
Her back stiffened, and Logan suspected her dad would have a battle on his hands. Evidently, Allegra had been enjoying her newfound freedom.
“Isn’t there something else we can do?” Josiah asked. “Can’t we tell Chester we’re onto him? Make him tell Viktor the FBI is on the case?”
“We could try that.” Dan took a pen out of his pocket and twirled it between his fingers. Every eye in the room trained on the pen as it walked its way back and forth across his hand, blurred with speed. Dan’s gaze fixed on the blank wall in front of him, while the pen moved as if of its own accord. “But even if Viktor withdrew, knowing we were involved, there’s nothing to stop him from coming back again. Any time. Viktor’s signature is kidnapping…” The pen stopped, trapped in his fist. “Alexander prefers murder—takes pleasure in it. And Alexander usually gets his way, even when the ransom is paid.”
Ellery’s usually impenetrable expression faltered, her lips parting, a tremble in her chin. The scar on her cheek stood out as the rest of her face turned white. She was terrified, and Logan was terrified for her. She didn’t deserve more trauma in her life.
“We feel certain he’s going to move quickly, because the brothers are operating outside their normal MO. Chester was their initial target, but somehow he managed to convince them he was small fries compared to you, Logan.”
“I spent an hour on the phone with him this morning,” Logan said, gulping a lump of air. “He really sounded frantic. He said I have to make the payment today or someone could die.”
“I imagine his time is running out to get you to cough up the money,” said Dan. “I’m sure last night’s meeting was to up the intimidation.”
Ellery would never be safe. Logan had to do something. “We could set a trap. Now. While he doesn’t know the FBI is in the loop. I’ll be the bait.”
“Hmmm… We might be able to use you as bait,” Dan said. The pen started moving again. “We have the advantage for the moment, because they won’t be expecting resistance. And we’d take every precaution to keep you safe. The risk could be minimal.” Dan returned the pen to his pocket. “But I doubt Alexander would bite.”
“Why not?” Logan pressed.
“Viktor prefers to negotiate directly with the one holding the purse strings. He’d rather kidnap someone close to you to force you to act quickly. He makes his demands verbally and gives minutes to comply. That’s one reason we can never catch him.” Dan’s jaw tightened. “That’s his problem now. He doesn’t have any real leverage against you.”
“Is there a way we could use my stepfather without letting him know we’ve figured it out?”
“Only if the brothers were convinced you care enough about him to shell out that much money,” said Dan. “But unless Chester has prior knowledge and agrees to cooperate, we won’t be able to protect him.”
“How long do we have to apprehend Alexander before he escalates things?” Mack asked. “Maybe twenty-four hours?”
“If that much,” Dan said. “We’re keeping a close watch on Chester tonight, in case he leads us to Alexander. But if that doesn’t happen, we’ll probably take him into custody tomorrow morning for his own protection. Once that happens, Alexander will make himself scarce… until he feels safe again.”
“And then he’ll be back?” Ellery rasped, as if her throat were too tight to speak normally.
“I’m afraid so,” Dan answered.
“Logan’s offered to be the bait,” Cole said. “Maybe we can find a way to make that work. Right now, Alexander thinks Logan isn’t going to the fundraiser tonight. But what if he found out Logan had changed his mind?”
“It’s a possibility,” said Dan. “We’ll consider it if we don’t come up with a better idea.”
“What about a monetary bait?” Mack said. “You’ll be raising millions at the banquet tonight. The money could be a tempting target.”
“These aren’t the kind of people who make donations in cash,” Cole said.
“Gotcha.”
Mack sank back into his chair. Dan retrieved his pen and started it on its repetitive spinning course.
Logan swallowed a long drink from his insulated bottle, his gaze wandering, unfocussed, to the ceiling, while his mind ran through every possible alternative. His mom was safe. Logan could probably disappear… go completely off the grid. But Josiah could still be vulnerable, and Ellery would definitely be a target.
How could he keep her safe? He could only think of one way.
“I’ll just pay the money. I’ve been cashing out investments. I have most of it ready to go.”
“In the past, payouts haven’t satisfied Alexander’s bloodthirst.” Dan’s expression was grim. “These aren’t exactly men of integrity or ones to forgive an insult. To be honest, if Chester really did cut the Krupin brothers out of that diamond deal, they’ll eventually get their revenge.”
Logan felt a pang of fear for his stepfather, despite everything he’d done.
“I’ll do it,” said a small voice. “I’ll go tonight. I’ll be the bait.”
Ellery! Logan lunged off the couch. “That’s not happening!”
Her jaw jutted forward in classic Ellery fashion. “You don’t control me.”
“Tell her!” Logan gripped Dan’s elbow. “Tell her it’s way too dangerous.”
