Page 88 of Twilight Tactics

“What about Elena Thompson? Why target her?”

Amato frowned. “Who?”

“The woman at the ranch. The one your people tried to grab. The one your drones shot at.”

“I don’t know anything about that.” Amato leaned forward. “The drones were to shake things up and allow us to grab the kid. Our job was the witness. That’s it. Whatever else those mountain people were doing, that wasn’t our business.”

Sully studied the man’s face. He seemed genuine. But then again, he probably lied with the best of them.

“LaVoy handled all the prepper stuff,” Amato continued. “Said they had their own agenda but would help us get the girl. Ollie, not the Elena person you’re asking about. That’s all I know.”

“What about Hannah Whitaker? Piper’s daughter?”

“She’s Bellini’s insurance policy. He’s keeping her somewhere in Nashville. I don’t know where exactly—that’s above my pay grade.”

“But you knew about the kidnapping?”

“Everyone knew. It’s how we kept your partner in line.” Amato’s eyes narrowed. “She blew it, though. Too soft. Couldn’t go through with it. Not even for her kid.” He smirked. “Bellini didn’t see that coming and he’s ticked.”

Well, that was something.

Sheriff Donovan stepped forward. “Where’s Bellini now?”

“Last I heard, he was at his place in upstate New York. Waiting for us to deliver the girl or confirm she’s dead.” He shifted and frowned. “But like I said, I couldn’t do it. I don’t kill kids.”

“Right. You just deliver them to a killer.” Sully stood up, grabbed a voice recorder, and shoved it in front of the prisoner. “Tell me everything. Names, locations, everything you know about Bellini’s operation. Every detail about the preppers and LaVoy Hawthorne. If it checks out, I’ll talk to the AUSA about a deal.”

“AUSA? What’s that? Like a DA?”

“Assistant US attorney. This is a federal case, so you get a federal prosecutor.”

The man swallowed. “And protection?”

“If your information helps us get Hannah back and put Bellini away, we’ll discuss it.” He paused. “And be sure to include all that stuff about threatening Agent Whitaker’s daughter and holding her hostage. In detail.”

The man pressed the button and started talking.

Sully left the room, processing. The connection between the mob and the preppers explained part of the situation, but not why Elena was targeted. If Amato was telling the truth, the preppers had their own agenda beyond helping the mob silence Ollie.

Sheriff Donovan joined him in the hallway. “I texted one of my deputies to ride out to the ranch and let Elena know about Hawthorne. See if she can give us any feedback on him.”

“Good idea.”

Donovan nodded to the prisoner. “You believe him?”

“About not targeting Elena? Yeah. I think.” Sully rubbed his temple where his head wound still ached. “It might just be a simple case of the mob wanting Ollie. The preppers want Elena. They just used each other to get what they wanted. Only they failed.” So far.

“But why Elena?”

“That’s what we need to find out.” Sully checked his phone. “We need to get back to the ranch. The preppers know we have Amato now, and they probably know the guy he was with is dead. They might try something desperate.”

“I’ll arrange transport for your prisoner.” Donovan nodded toward the interview room. “Federal marshals can take him from here.”

“Thanks.” Sully gathered his notes. “One more thing if you don’t mind. I know Elena might be able to give us some insight, but do you mind seeing if you can find anything else on LaVoy Hawthorne? Criminal record, known associates, family connections to the prepper community. Property in Nashville he might give Bellini access to?”

“Will do. Unless we can figure out how to turn off the jammers, if I find out anything, I’ll have to ride out to give you the information.”

“I know. Be careful.”