Free Missings, The by Peg Brantley Page A

and make her sit there until they solved this case. Somehow he knew—experience maybe?—attorneys would get involved and make a huge mess of his intentions. He had to kick his paternal attitude to the curb.
    He didn’t want her but he needed her. He considered his options and made a decision.
    Chase walked to the door. “Well, come on then. I don’t have all night.”
    At least this way he’d be in control.

Chapter Twenty-One
    Sloan Enterprises
    Friday, September 21
    Edward Sloan sat at his desk. The elegant-looking man sitting across the expanse bothered him but he couldn’t say why. Edward just knew he was disgusted by him. Repulsed.
    In the long run though, it didn’t matter. Edward cleared his throat. “Name your price.”
    Long, pale fingers steepled and paused, elbows resting on the arms of the chair. Edward could see the man’s crossed knee, draped and situated so as not to create a wrinkle in his hand-tailored suit. Edward Sloan saw men every day who needed to make themselves appear better than the next man. One-upmanship. He had always refused to have any dealings with those men. It irked him that this time he didn’t have a choice.
    “We have already begun the process on your behalf. Up until now we’ve used our own resources, gratis. To continue could be quite expensive.” The smooth delivery matched up well with the slippery shallowness Edward sensed in the man. Liquid. Like an oil slick on water.
    “Name it.” Anything to save his wife. Hell, saving Diana would save him. Two for the price of one.
    “Mr. Sloan, you understand that this is somewhat beyond our normal scope of operation.” The man brought his hands down and folded them in his lap. “That is not to say we don’t have the means to accomplish the task. But there are additional risks involved.”
    Edward Sloan pulled himself tight against the desk and leaned forward. “I’m not in a position to negotiate. And you must understand, I will not be putting all of my faith in you. I will continue exploring the other areas available to me—and my money.”
    “I would do the same in your position. I assume that means you will continue seeking assistance overseas?”
    “That, and within certain quasi-legal organizations in this country.”
    “You must love your wife very much.”
    Edward swallowed the bile in his throat. “That’s the first thing you’ve said with which I don’t have a problem.”
    The visitor pulled a card from his inside pocket. “These are the wiring instructions for my offshore account. I have noted the amount to be deposited. Once we have acquired the item you have stipulated, you will deposit a matching sum before we relinquish it.” He handed the card to Edward.
    “That’s a lot of money.”
    “It is. But then I was under the impression that your wife’s life was priceless.”
    Alone after his visitor left, Edward Sloan picked up the phone.
    “Get my banker on the line.”

Chapter Twenty-Two
    Honey Silver Mine
    Friday, September 21
    Chase pulled up his SUV and turned off the ignition. Maintenance crews were setting up Klieg lights and hooking them up to a generator as the sun was about to set. Elizabeth Benavides sat in the passenger seat, not moving.
    “You can wait here if you’d like.” Please wait here. Don’t make me have to think of anything other than the scene .
    She shoved the door open and pulled herself from the vehicle. She turned to look him in the eyes, daring him to question her strength or purpose or right to be there.
    “Fine. Then stay behind me. Don’t move or do anything unless I tell you.” He skewered her with a look. “Are we on the same page?”
    Elizabeth nodded.
    As Chase began to walk to where he could see Jax at work, Akila Copeland approached him.
    “Hey, Chase. We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”
    “If only.” He looked at the young CSI. “Leaving already?”
    “This wasn’t the crime scene. Not much for me to find. Next time can you get me an actual