Page 16 of Cole
“I can't say for certain,” Roland muttered, his voice strained. “But everything… everything points to that grim possibility.”
“And you didn’t find him?” Cole’s voice was barely audible, a whisper of desperation.
“No.” Roland shook his head slowly, his expression grim. “He might have… disposed of him just before everything unraveled. Most likely, his body lies in an unmarked grave somewhere in the forest, forever lost to us.” He pressed his lips together, the sorrow etched on his face. “I’m deeply sorry. I know how much he meant to you.”
Cole cradled his head, sobbing quietly.
Dane had no words to offer and rubbed his back, his eyes on the deputy. “Now that you know the mangler is here and… and has abducted people, you’ll get the authorities involved, right? The FBI?”
The deputy chewed his lower lip and looked at Dane with an odd glint in his eye. “I don’t know if that would be a good idea. Daniel Pruett is highly unpredictable. Calling in the big guns might cause him to take drastic measures against his captives.”
Dane rose to his feet, breath surging. “So, what thefuckare we supposed to do?Reasonwith him? Somehow, I don’t thinkthatwill go over so fucking well. The lives of three members of our family are in the hands of this psychotic fuck. Just what do you suggest wedo?”
“Don’t lose your head, first of all,” Roland said. “Daniel is playing with you right now. Let him think you’re also playing the game by his rules.”
“Aren’t we?” Dane muttered. “He’s in control. We can’t do shit, not while he has our loved ones. And what’re we supposed to do—turn Gabe over to him as well?”
Roland inhaled and shrugged. “Maybe so.”
“What?” Cole looked up.
“Who can handle Daniel one-on-one—those he has now… or your husband? I know it doesn’t feel like an option, but you should consider all aspects of the situation. I haven’t met Gabe, but I’m inclined to believe he is much like the two of you. If so, he stands a much better chance against Daniel than two teenagers and a petite young man.”
Cole looked lost. He was terrified for the safety of Abel and the kids, yet equally frightened for his husband's welfare.
“What do you think your husband would say?” Roland asked Cole.
Cole sniffed and glanced at Dane. “He’d make the trade without even thinking about it.”
“Hang on one fucking minute,” Dane said. “We’re talking about a fuckingserial killer.Are we really supposed to take him at hisword?Do you believe he would turn the others loose unharmed in exchange for Gabe? How do we even know they are…” Dane faltered, fear constricting his chest. “… that he hasn’t already… harmed them?”
“You don’t,” the deputy admitted. “But at this stage in the game, heisin control. He’s offered an exchange deal and a deadline. You must choose what you will do.”
Dane shook his head, his face tight. “We’re not equipped to deal with this kind of thing,” he replied stiffly. “TheFBIis. They know how these fuckers think. We need to stop wasting time andget them here.”
Roland nodded. “You may be right. It’s unpredictable how Daniel will react, but you’re correct—the FBI frequently handles these types of individuals and scenarios. I’ll contact the local authorities; they must contact the bureau.”
Dane felt a sense of relief. “Good. Thank you. How soon do you expect them to arrive? We’re on borrowed time here.”
“It’s hard to say, but in emergencies, they’re usually able to arrive within hours,” Roland said. “I’ll call the precinct now, then go from there.” The deputy exited the waiting room.
Returning to his seat beside Cole, Dane wrapped his arm around his distraught friend. “The FBI will know how to handle this,” he said. “We’re going to get them back—safe and sound. I promise—”
Devlin rushed into the waiting room, his expression startling Dane and Cole.
“What’s wrong?” Cole sprang to his feet. “Gabe… is he all right?”
Devlin nodded. “Yes, don’t worry. He’s fine. But…”
“What?” Dane frowned. “Butwhat?”
Devlin hesitated. “I think…” He looked at Cole. “I think the… kidnapper… was in his room.” He seemed reluctant to use the termserial killeror evenmangler,as if saying the words would somehow make the nightmare more real.
“What?” Cole breathed. “How…?”
“Gabe thought he was a doctor. The man was wearing a doctor’s coat. But then he said he wasn’t a doctor or part of the hospital staff. He started saying things to Gabe.”
“What things?” Cole whispered, a visible tremor running through him. “What did he say to Gabe?What did he say?”
