Justice Mission Read online

  “Yes. I... Yes,” she whispered. “I...I think so.”

  He caught sight of the blood on the side of her head. “Wait a minute. You’re not okay. We need to get you checked out.”

  “No, it’s all right. Just give me a minute to catch my breath and let my head stop spinning.”

  “You’re hurt. You need a hospital.”

  She touched her head with a wince. “No, what I need is to get back to the auditorium. We’ve got a graduation that needs to go on.”

  “Sophie—”

  “I’m serious. That guy was only after me because I saw him messing with Chief Jameson’s folder on the podium. I want to know what he was doing and if he left something behind that would tell us who he is.” She grimaced. “Then you can go after him again.”

  For a moment Luke could only stare at her. She’d been kidnapped, knocked in the head, driven through the city at breakneck speed, and all she could think about was getting back to see what the guy had been up to? “You’re amazing.”

  She blinked. “No. I’m mad.”

  “All right. Let’s head back to the auditorium, then. While we’re riding, you can fill me in on the details.”

  “Thank you.”

  Luke caught Bruno’s leash, and Sophie followed him—limping slightly—back to his Tahoe, where she climbed into the front seat and fastened her seat belt. Luke settled behind the driver’s seat and held the radio to his mouth. “Any sign of the guy who kidnapped Sophie?”

  “That’s a negative.” The voice came back at him through the speaker. “He disappeared after officers chased him through the store. We’re still canvassing the area.”

  “Ten-four.”

  By the time Luke pulled into the parking lot at the auditorium, Sophie had filled him in on everything that had led to her kidnapping. And Luke was inclined to agree with her. This wasn’t just some random snatching. The man at the podium had had a goal—and Luke was itching to figure out what it was.

  Another car pulled into the lot.

  “Everyone is arriving,” she said. “We need to make this fast so we can stay on schedule.”

  “Sophie—”

  But she was already out of the car and hurrying—limping—toward the door she’d been forced from about thirty minutes ago.

  “The ceremony can start late, you know,” he murmured to her back. With a sigh, he let Bruno out and they followed after Sophie. Inside, he found her surrounded by other officers concerned with her safety. She repeated all of her “I’m shaken up but fine” reassurances until they accepted the answer even if they didn’t fully believe it.

  “Is she really okay?” Officer Zach Jameson asked. A fellow officer with the NYC K-9 Command Unit, Zach was also the youngest brother to Jordan Jameson, the chief. The family resemblance was startling with his brown hair and blue eyes. Luke noted Carter and Noah, the other two Jameson brothers, standing nearby with their K-9s seated at their sides.

  “She says she is,” Luke said with a frown. “That’s all I have to go on.”

  The Jamesons had made law enforcement their family business and all had arrived to attend the ceremony, then get back to work. Officer Finn Gallagher, another K-9 Command Unit member, stood nearby, green eyes watching. Usually the jovial, outgoing jokester of the group, he now sported tight features and a tense jaw.

  Luke nodded to Chief Jameson’s wife, sitting in the front row and glancing at her watch. “Is Katie all right? She looks a little pale.”

  Jordan’s wife had her blond hair in a French braid that fell over her right shoulder. Her blue eyes continued to bounce between her watch and the door her husband should have entered at least fifteen minutes ago.

  “I noticed that, too, but when I asked, she said she was fine, just feeling a little under the weather and that she and Jordan had an errand to run after the ceremony so she thought she’d just come watch.”

  “She’s always been crazy about the dogs,” Luke said. “And Jordan likes having her here.” He glanced around. “Speaking of Jordan, where is he?”

  Zach shrugged, blue eyes narrowed as he watched his sister-in-law. “Katie’s wondering that, too. He’s usually here by now, going over his notes or shaking hands—and paws—with the soon-to-be new graduates.”

  Sophie broke free of her concerned friends and headed for the stage. Luke and Bruno followed her up the steps and to the podium. “Where’s Jordan?” Luke asked. “Did he say anything about running late?”

  “No. At least not before I was snatched.” Her hand shook slightly as she reached for the red folder. “Let’s see what my kidnapper found so fascinating about Jordan’s notes.” She flipped the folder open and an envelope fell to the floor. Frowning, she retrieved it, slipped a finger under the flap and pulled out the paper inside. Her eyes scanned it and she gasped, the color leeching from her cheeks.

  “Sophie?” Luke hurried the last few steps to her side, thinking the knock on her head had finally caught up to her. “Are you okay? You need to sit down?”

  “No.” She stared at the letter, and Luke frowned. No, she wasn’t okay, or no, she didn’t need to sit down? He stepped behind her to read over her shoulder.

  I can’t go on anymore. Please make sure Katie is taken care of. Jordan Jameson.

  TWO

  Sophie fought to catch her breath. “This reads like a—a—” She couldn’t say it.

  “Suicide note,” Luke finished for her, his brows drawn tightly over the bridge of his nose.

  “No,” she whispered. “He wouldn’t.” Her eyes met Katie’s. Jordan’s wife frowned even though she was too far away to know what was going on.

  But one thing was certain. Jordan had too much to live for to take his own life. Just last week Katie had walked into headquarters to meet Jordan for lunch and then suddenly made a mad dash past Sophie’s desk and into the restroom. Concerned, Sophie had followed only to hear Katie throwing up.

  “Are you all right?” she’d asked when the woman had finally emerged from the stall and finished with the sink.

  Katie had checked under each stall, then turned to Sophie and grinned. “We’re alone, so I can tell you that I’m absolutely perfect.”

  At first, Sophie could only blink. Then gasp. “You’re pregnant!”

  “Shh!” Katie had held a finger to her lips. “I haven’t told anyone yet.”

  “What about Jordan?”

  “He knows, but no one else. We’re kind of in shock, but it’s thrilling and we’re really just savoring the moment, you know? We plan to tell everyone soon. Probably after the first trimester.”

  “Good for you.” Sophie had hugged her friend. “I won’t tell a soul. What did Jordan say when you told him?”

  “He was over-the-moon excited.”

  “Wouldn’t what? Sophie? Hello?” Noah Jameson’s voice brought Sophie back to the present.

  She blinked away the memory and her gaze lifted to meet Luke’s, then slid around the others who’d gathered in front of her, their expressions confused and slightly wary. All except Noah’s. She never could read him.

  Sophie passed him the note. Noah read it, his expression shutting down even more, then passed it to his brothers. “You’re right. He wouldn’t.”

  “No, he definitely wouldn’t,” Zach said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I’ll call him, and he’ll straighten this out.” They waited in silence as Zach stood and punched in his brother’s number, blue eyes narrowed. He ran a hand through his hair and pressed the device to his ear, his rising tension adding to the thickness already surrounding them all.

  Seconds ticked.

  “Answer the phone, Jordan,” Sophie whispered.

  But Zach was already lowering the device. “It went straight to voice mail.”

  “No,” Sophie said. “That’s not possible. He never turns his phone off. Especially not on a day like t
his. Straight to voice mail? That scares me a little.” A lot.

  “It’s scaring Katie, too,” Noah said with a glance at his sister-in-law, who watched them from her first-row seat in the auditorium. Too far away to hear the conversation, yet close enough to know something serious was going on and Sophie knew they were going to have to fill her in.

  As though Sophie’s gaze compelled her, Katie stood and walked toward them. Noah met her in front of the stage. “What is it? You’re all acting weird and being super secretive.”

  “Can you call Jordan?” Noah asked.

  “Why?”

  “We need to know where he is and I’m sure if he’s got his phone on the Do Not Disturb setting for whatever reason, he’ll have it programmed so that you’ll ring right through.”

  A door slammed in the back and laughter reached them.

  “Let’s move out of the auditorium,” Sophie said. “People are starting to arrive and we’ll have more privacy in the room next door.”

  She led the way into a room that held three sofas and a couple of chairs. A full kitchen dominated the back wall to allow for catered events. All of this registered in a nanosecond before they surrounded Katie and waited for her to dial Jordan’s number.

  With a frown, Katie did as requested, listened for a moment, then hung up. “It went straight to voice mail.” Her eyes darted from one brother to the next.

  Sophie’s nerves tightened, and Katie’s gaze landed on hers. Sophie knew what her friend was thinking. Jordan never turned off his phone. Ever. And if for some reason, he decided to do so, he’d let someone know in advance. Especially in case Katie needed to reach him.

  “He’s not answering her either,” Noah murmured. “I don’t believe this. This isn’t good.”

  “I have the password to his phone, so I can track it,” Katie said. “He always wants me to be able to locate him if I need to. I’ve never used it before. I’ve never had to.”

  “Then I’d say this would be a good time to do it,” Luke said. “Do you mind seeing what you can find out?”

  “Of course.” She punched in the digits, then lifted her gaze to meet his and the others who’d gathered around her.

  “What is it?” Luke asked. “Can you tell us where he is?”

  “Something’s wrong. It says his phone’s offline, but it shouldn’t be. He’s never offline.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m starting to get really scared. What’s going on?”

  Carter shook his head. “We don’t know, but I’ve had enough standing around. I’m going to look for him.”

  “Me, too,” Zach said.

  “I’m coming, too.” Noah shoved his phone back on his clip and planted his hands on his hips. “But before we run out of here all hasty and unorganized, let’s get a plan of action together.”

  Of course that would be Noah’s first thought.

  “Wait a minute,” Katie said.

  They froze.

  “I don’t understand.” Katie crossed her arms. “Can someone please explain to me why you’re going to look for Jordan when he should have walked through the door way before now?” Katie asked, her voice containing a slightly hysterical edge. “And then tell me why he would have his phone turned off because if you can’t, then something’s really, really wrong.” Worry drew lines across her forehead and at the corners of her mouth. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I know I keep saying that, but I need to know where he is and if he’s okay. And you guys know something you’re not telling me. Now, please, what is it?”

  Sophie bit her lip. “We found a note that seems to indicate he’s in trouble. Everyone is getting ready to go search for him.”

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “We’re not sure, but we’re going to find out,” Zach said. He put an arm around his sister-in-law’s shoulders. “Let’s go over here a second so we can talk.”

  Noah and Carter joined the two off to the side, and Katie gave a sharp cry. Sophie figured they’d told her the contents of the note. Ignoring the need to rush over and comfort her friend, she turned to the others. “Just so I’m clear, I don’t believe Jordan wrote that note for one second, but we can’t take the chance that it’s not real. We have to act as though he did and that he means it.”

  Luke nodded. “I agree. But where do we start looking?”

  Zach and Katie had returned in time to hear her comment. Katie shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “He wouldn’t kill himself. He didn’t leave that note!”

  “We know,” Sophie said. She faced Katie and took her friend’s hands. “We don’t believe it either. Something else is going on and we’re going to find out, okay?”

  “Yes. Yes, we are.” Katie lifted her chin and swiped her hands over her face.

  “The guy who snatched me was messing with the folder when I walked in,” Sophie said. “Maybe he put the note in there.”

  “If that’s the case, then we need to find Jordan immediately,” Luke said.

  Katie nodded. “Exactly, So, what’s the plan?”

  “Was Jordan headed straight here when he left this morning?”

  “No,” she sniffed. “He was going to take Snapper out to the Vanderbilt Parkway and run part of the bike path, then go to headquarters to shower and change before coming over here.”

  “Vanderbilt Parkway,” Luke said. Also known as the Long Island Motor Parkway. A big part of New York’s history, it was a great place to run or ride bikes now that automobiles were banned from it—and he knew it was part of Jordan’s daily routine. “Then that’s where we’ll look first.”

  “We need to check any of his favorite places, as well,” Sophie said.

  “He had a lot of favorite places,” Katie said. “Not all of them are in Queens.”

  Luke nodded. “Then we’re going to need more manpower. Someone call Gavin and fill him in on what’s going on.”

  “Today’s his day off,” Sophie said, picturing the tall, dark-haired, brown-eyed handler. Gavin Sutherland was another K-9 officer. His Springer spaniel was well-trained to sniff out explosives. And while they may not need Tommy for that reason, she knew as well as Luke did that Gavin would never forgive them if they didn’t include him in the search for their boss. “We’ll also need to get a BOLO out on Jordan and get his face in front of people as well as notify officers in all the boroughs to be watching for him.”

  “No,” Katie said.

  Carter raised a brow. “No?”

  “You know Jordan. He’d hate that. There’s got to be some other way.”

  “But we need to find him fast,” Noah said. “In order to do that, we need as many eyes looking for him as possible.”

  “But—”

  “They’re right, Katie,” Sophie said softly. “I’m sorry, but they are. I’d rather live with his anger than something really be wrong and we not pull out all the stops.”

  “And besides,” Luke said, “that guy was messing with the folder. It’s very possible he’s the one who put that note there. If so, this could be some kind of setup to make it look like Jordan’s going to commit suicide. If that’s the case, then speed is of the essence before...”

  Before he was killed.

  No one wanted to say it, but everyone sure thought it.

  Katie swiped another tear and a heavy sigh escaped her. She finally shook her head and planted her hands on her hips. “Okay. Fine. You’re right. We need as many people looking for him as we can get.”

  The brothers nodded.

  “All right,” Luke said. “I’m going to see if Dani can trace his vehicle.”

  “Good idea,” Sophie said. Danielle Abbott, one of the department’s technical analysts would use the GPS attached to the SUV to get a ping on its location.

  “Zach,” Luke said, “you get the BOLO out.” K-9 Officers Brianne Hayes and Tony Knight stepped forward with Finn. Luke turn
ed to Katie. “Can you make up a list of all of Jordan’s favorite places and give it to these guys?”

  “Of course.”

  “Once Katie gives you the list,” he said to the others, “divide up. Bruno and I have the Vanderbilt Parkway.”

  “And me,” Sophie said. “We can’t have the ceremony without Jordan, so we’ll just postpone it until he can be here.”

  “Postpone the ceremony,” Luke said, “but you don’t need to go. You’ve just been through a major trauma.”

  Sophie straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Jordan’s my boss, too. I’m as much a part of this department as the rest of you—”

  Luke held up a hand. “I’m not saying you’re not.”

  “Good. And I might even be able to identify the guy in spite of his ballcap and sunglasses. Maybe. So let’s not waste any more time debating whether I’m going or not.” She headed for the exit, limping slightly.

  Luke frowned. “Fine. I’d rather have you with us anyway.”

  “Thank you,” she tossed over her shoulder.

  “At least then I’ll know you’re safe,” he muttered.

  She grimaced but refused to comment. Instead, she prayed as they raced toward Vanderbilt Parkway. It seemed to take forever to reach it in spite of the sirens that moved traffic out of the way.

  Dani had quickly gotten back to them, saying the GPS had been disabled on Jordan’s SUV and she wasn’t able to get a location on the vehicle.

  “What could possibly be going on with him?” Sophie asked. “Jordan wouldn’t disable the GPS and he didn’t leave that letter, Luke. I think the man who grabbed me did.”

  “I’d say that’s a real possibility, but we have to cover all the bases.”

  “I know. I’m just saying that I’ve never seen Jordan so low he’d want to take his own life. Sure, he has struggles, but who doesn’t?” She shook her head as she envisioned confronting her brother about his—in her opinion—questionable decision to join the Marines. “But he’s not even close to being suicidal.” Especially with a baby on the way that he was excited about. But that wasn’t her news to share. “There’s something else going on and we need to figure out what it is.”