Bree came into my arms and held me tight. “Oh, Alex, Alex, no.” She made no empty promises, just gave me the only comfort she could. Her embrace, a few whispered words.
“No note, no message?” she finally asked.
“I didn't find anything. We should look again. I don't think I was too clearheaded the first time I looked. I know I wasn't.”
“You think you ought to go back in there right now?” she said and took my arm.
“I have to. Come with me. Both of you, come.”
We all went back into the house.
Cross Country
Chapter 129
WHILE BREE AND Sampson started looking around, I called Damon's school and talked to the headmaster, then got Damon on the line. I told him to pack some things. We would be moving him soon. Sampson had already made the arrangements for him to be picked up. “Why do I have to come home?” Damon wanted to know.
“You're not coming home right now. Not yet. It isn't safe here. Not for any of us.”
I joined Bree and Sampson and we searched the house for several hours, but there was nothing for us to find. No message left anywhere. The only evidence of a struggle was the mess in the kitchen and a tangled runner in the foyer.
I thought to check my computer, but there was nothing there either. No messages had been left anywhere. No threats. No explanation of any kind. Was that the message?
I decided to place a call to Lagos next. It was eight a.m. there.
I reached lan Flaherty's office, but he didn't pick up himself this time.
“Mr. Flaherty is not here at the moment,” said his assistant. She sounded nervous.
“Do you know where he is or when he's expected back?” I asked her. “It's important that I talk to him.”
“I'm sorry, I don't. There is a lot going on here, sir. It's a very bad situation.”
“Yes, I know. May I leave a message for him?”
“Of course.”
“Tell him that Alex Cross is back in Washington. They've taken my family. I think it's the Tiger or his people who did this. I need to talk to him. Please make sure that he gets this message. It could be a matter of life or death.”
“Yes, sir,” said the assistant, “it always is.”
Cross Country
Chapter 130
SAMPSON, BREE, AND I stayed in the house another hour or so. We searched every room again, looking for anything to work with.
But I understood that the two of them were here to make sure I was all right, especially since I was showing a few cracks.
Finally I told John to go home to his family and get some sleep.
No one had called or tried to get a message to me.
“There are two squad cars outside,” Sampson said. “They'll stay here the rest of the night. Don't argue with me about it.”
“I know. I can see them.”
“That's the idea, sugar. They're supposed to be seen.”
“Make sure they're on their toes,” Bree said. “I'll be here too. Tell them I'll be checking.”
Sampson hugged Bree, then did the same with me. There was no cop humor tonight, no making light of this. “Anything-you call,” he told me.
Then he started out the kitchen door. He stopped and turned back. “I'll talk to the men outside. Maybe put on one more car.”
I didn't bother to agree or disagree. I was in no shape to make decisions right now. “Thank you.”
“We'll be fine,” Bree said.
“I have no doubt,” Sampson said and nodded. “Call me if anything happens!” Finally he shut the door behind him.
I went over and locked the door, which would give us an extra few seconds if somebody tried to come in. Maybe we'd need it.
“You all right with this?” Bree asked.
