Page 33 of Everything We Found

“We’re still trying to locate your mother.”

Thomas reeled. He dropped his arms and abruptly walked away.

“So it’s true, his family is being targeted?” he heard Nadia ask Kane.

“Not just them. The FBI lost one of their agents last night.”

Thomas jerked and whirled around. “Who?”

“Remember Peel?”

“Yeah.” He was the assistant special agent in charge of the raid on Donato.

“They broke into his apartment and knifed him in his sleep.”

A cold front moved through him, turning his spine to ice. He marched back to Kane, struggling to stay composed. “How did Ruiz manage to escape?” It was a question he and Nadia had been asking themselves all night.

“That’s under investigation?—”

“Don’t give me the runaround, Mitchell. This is my family we’re talking about. People’s lives are at stake. People very important to me.” Thomas glanced purposefully at Nadia. “Even we can see the siege on my house and the murders, my mother’s disappearance, have been deliberate, coordinated attacks that took time and planning. This isn’t coincidence.”

Kane lifted a hand that told Thomas he was pushing him. Thomas knew from experience if he pushed too hard, Kane would shut up. He wouldn’t get any answers.

“You aren’t wrong,” Kane said. “We’re looking into that.”

Desperation clawed at Thomas. The Hidalgos had his mother. He felt that truth deep in his soul. “Use me as bait.”

“What?” Nadia grasped his forearm. “You can’t be serious.”

He met her frightened gaze. “This won’t end until we’re all dead.”

Her mouth flattened into a line. She snatched her fingers from him.

“We’re doing our best to prevent that from happening,” Kane stated. “And no, Tom. We will not use you as bait.”

“Thank you.” Nadia’s exhale was heavy with her relief.

Kane stared at him with a mix of disbelief and exasperation, the freckles around his eyes bunching as he squinted, trying to determine how serious Thomas was. “That’s the worst plan you’ve thrown on the table, and you’ve had some outrageous ones.”

“You agreed with them.”

“In retrospect, I shouldn’t have. Faking your brother’s death was monumentally stupid, and to this day, created the biggest paperwork nightmare I’ve ever had on the job.”

“But he’s still alive.”

“He’s still alive,” Kane agreed. He wiped his damp forehead, his gaze flitting about the narrow room. Thomas sensed they didn’t have Kane’s attention for much longer. He was needed on the field.

“Back to Ruiz,” Thomas prodded.

“Enough, Tom. Don’t push me on this. The reason behind his transfer is classified.” He shifted his weight toward the door. “As for you two, I can’t urge you enough to stay put. Everyone connected to Ruiz’s capture and trial—and by extension their loved ones—should lay low.” He opened the front door and looked back at them. “Don’t get any ideas about leaving. I’ll reach out when I know more about your mother. Sorry, Tom, Nadia. Wish I had better news.”

The door closed and Thomas turned the lock. He took a breath, forcing himself to calm down before facing Nadia when a low, keening wail reached him. He turned around. Nadia stood rooted to the spot, quivering like a leaf. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps as she slowly shook her head back and forth.

“Nadia?” He reached for her.

“No!” Her hands flew up, palms facing him. “This can’t be happening,” she said, backing up.

“Nadia.” He cautiously approached, matching her step for step. Her breathing sped up and a fine sheen dampened her pallid skin.