He and Eva had spent the last 3 hours planning, preparing. The backpack with the money was recovered. Eva Eva had driven back to Highway 60, found the Harley, retrieved it without incident. $300,000 in cash wrapped in plastic now sat on Garrett's old workbench. Marcus answered on the third ring. Put it on speaker.
Calhoun? The voice was electronically distorted, genderless. You missed our appointment today. I had an accident. We know.
Unfortunate. A pause, almost amused. But you survived. Good. That means the deal is still on.
I want proof of life. Let me talk to Doc. Silence, then another voice, weak, older, but unmistakable. Marcus, that you, son? Marcus's jaw clenched.
Doc, you okay? Been better, been worse. A cough. Don't do this, Marcus. Don't pay these bastards.
Just let me The line cut back to the distorted voice. As you hear, he is alive. For now. If you hurt him You are not in position to make threats, Calhoun. You have the money.
Yes. Good. Tomorrow, 6:00 p.m., old desert warehouse 40 miles north of Phoenix. You know it. Marcus closed his eyes.
I know it. Come alone, bring the money. We will have Doc. Simple exchange. You try anything, you bring police, you bring your biker friends, we kill him, and we kill the others.
Marcus's eyes snapped open. What others? Did I not mention? The voice carried a cruel pleasure now. Doc is not alone.
He has company. Six more guests, all elderly, all expendable. You want to save one old man, fine, but if you want to save all seven, you better follow instructions. The line went dead. Eva and Marcus sat in silence.
Seven people, Eva said finally. They're holding seven people. Marcus was staring at his phone like it might explode. This isn't just about ransom, this is bigger. Human trafficking.
Doc saw them loading people into trucks. They must have taken him to silence him. And if they're holding six others they're running a trafficking operation using elderly people as what, labor, organs? Eva felt all ice in her stomach. During her Navy years, she'd heard stories.
Black market organ harvesting. Elderly victims, easy targets, often homeless or alone. No one to miss them. "We need to call the FBI. " She said. No.
Marcus stood, stumbled, caught himself on the table. They said no police, they'll kill them. Marcus, this is beyond a ransom drop. There are seven innocent people up there, and if we call the FBI, those people die. You heard them.
They have someone on the inside. They knew about my route today. They probably have cops on their payroll, too. Eva stood, faced him. So what do you propose?
Marcus was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was different, harder. The voice of a man who'd led an outlaw motorcycle club for 20 years. We go to the meet. We play their game, but we don't go alone, and we don't go unprepared.
He looked at Eva. I need to make a call to one person I know I can trust. Who's tonight? Boone McKenzie, my vice president. He's been with me for 30 years.
If anyone's loyal, it's him. You sure? Marcus met her eyes. No, but I have to trust someone, and my gut says Boone is clean. Eva nodded slowly.
Make the call. Boone McKenzie arrived at 1:00 a.m. Riding a Harley that sounded like thunder in the desert night. He was 58, built like a linebacker with a gray beard and eyes that had seen too much. When he saw Marcus's injuries, his expression went dark.
Who did this? Don't know yet. Marcus gestured to Eva. This is Evangeline Hartwell. She saved my life.
Boone extended a massive hand. Ma'am. Eva shook it firmly. Call me Eva. They gathered around the kitchen table.
Marcus explained everything, the kidnapping, the ransom demand, the seven victims, the meet tomorrow evening. Boone listened without interrupting. When Marcus finished, Boone was silent for a long moment. "Someone inside betrayed you. " He said finally. "Someone who knew your route. " That's four people besides you.
Clayton, Wade, Silas, Garrett. I'll find out who. Boone's voice was granite. I swear to God, Marcus, I'll find out who sold you. Later.
Right now we need a plan for tomorrow. Marcus spread a map on the table. Old desert warehouse. It's abandoned, been empty for 10 years. Good place for an ambush.
You thinking they don't plan to let you walk out? They'd be stupid to let me walk out. I've seen their operation. I know about the seven victims. They can't leave that kind of witness alive.
Eva studied the map. So we assume it's a trap. They take the money, kill you, kill the hostages. Unless we turn it around on them. Marcus pointed to the warehouse.
Boone, you bring six of our most trusted men. Not the guys in my inner circle, people further down the chain. People who don't know about this operation yet. Okay. You position them around the perimeter.
Out of sight. I go in alone, just like they asked. Make the exchange. But if things go south we come in heavy. Boone nodded.
What about the hostages? If shooting starts, they're in the crossfire. Eva tapped the map. That's where I come in. Both men looked at her.
While you're making the exchange at the front, I go in the back. Find the hostages. Get them out. Eva, Marcus started. I'm 73, Marcus.