But none of those combined equals the fear that surged through my veins after Henri and Liza told me what happened to my grandmother.
“Do we have any idea where they’ve taken her?” I ask the team, as Jayden and I enter the office at The Warehouse. On the drive over, I shoved the fear aside. There’s no time for it now. I need to focus on the mission and not on how I’ll hug my grandmother to death once we’ve rescued her.
Right—maybe death isn’t the best word under the circumstances.
Liam turns to the huge board behind him, which is covered with several large maps and numerous pictures of guys I wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley at any time of day.
“We’ve pinpointed their center of operation to be here.” He points to a black pushpin on the map of Berkley. “But we don’t know if Bernard is there or at this location.” He gestures to a green pin on the map of Sacramento. “So far neither Orlov, Bernard, nor your grandmother has been spotted at either locale.
“Which means there could be another hideout we don’t know about. Somewhere that has allowed the Orlov family to operate under the nose of the Feds while they’ve focused their time and resources on the two known sites.”
“Is there a chance he might have taken her somewhere else?” Landon asks me.
I study the maps of the three cities—including San Francisco—and the map that encompasses all three cities and the surrounding area. “If all those photos in his office are anything to go by, Bernard is sentimental.” That, or he’s just a show-off when it comes to the celebrities he knows. I’m hoping it’s the former when it comes to locating my grandmother. “Which means there’s a good chance he took her someplace that means something to them both.”
“Because he’s hoping to lure you and me back,” Jayden finishes for me. I nod.
“So where did he take her?” Adam asks.
“I have no idea.” I think for a second, mentally visualizing the photos of the two of them that are in his office. “The picture in his office,” I say to Jayden, urgency racing in my voice and in my blood. “The one where they had their first date together.”
“The winery?”
I nod. “That’s the one. It was in Napa Valley.”Shit, what was it called again? “Enchanted something.” Like the Disney movie.
Jayden thinks for a moment before blurting, “It was in Oakville,” at the same time as I say, “Springs.”
The other men watch us expectantly, waiting for us to puzzle it out.
“Enchanted Spring Winery in Oakville. That’s where Bernard took my grandmother for their date,” I tell them.
“But wouldn’t the owners wonder why he’s holding Josephine at gunpoint?” Adam throws me an apologetic look.
I shrug—more for the apology than the question.
“Christ.” Connor rushes over to his laptop on the conference table behind us and taps away at the keyboard. “I missed it the first time I did a background search on him because I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for. And he was trying to keep the IRS from discovering the truth, too. He co-owns the winery. And I bet you can’t guess who his partner is?”
“Vadik Orlov?” Landon ventures.
“Yes and no. The title is under the name of Chloe Reinhart. Reinhart is her mother’s name after she remarried Bernard’s stepson. Chloe is Vadik’s granddaughter. The stepson went missing twenty years ago, and no one knows what happened to him.”
Liam looks at the map again.“That has to be it. Okay, Connor and Jayden, you go in the van. And remember, Jayden, you’re sitting this one out. You’re backup for Connor if he needs it and that’s it.”
“Which means I’m babysitting you,” Connor says on a chuckle. “Keep your hands to yourself. No touching the technology.”
“Adam and Landon, you’ll come with me.” Liam turns toward the office door.
“What about me?” I ask.
Walking to the door, he pivots toward me. “This is your grandmother…” he says as if that’s an excuse for what he’s going to say next.
“I know—which is why I need to be there with you guys. Look, before you tell me that I’m too emotionally involved and won’t be of any use, let me say that’s a load of horse poop. And you know it. Yes, he’s got my grandmother, but that doesn’t change anything. I need to do my job. This isn’t just about my grandmother. It’s about something bigger. It’s about bringing these guys down before they can hurt anyone else.”
“All right, you’re with Landon, Adam, and me. Okay, let’s load up.”
* * *
Pushing a few speed limits,we arrive an hour later, not far from our destination. Liam and Connor park where we can’t be easily spotted, and where video cameras are less likely to be set up. Liam’s government contacts have been appraised of the situation.
