Free Rescue Me by Allie Adams Page A

led the witch hunt
against Spencer that nearly ended his career with TREX, all because
of his relationship with Kathryn. What right did he have to demand
a goddamn thing?
    But then the reality of the situation crashed
down. This wasn't about Miller. It wasn't about Spencer. It was
about a little boy who needed to be returned to his family.
    “We'll find him, sir.”
    “Cut the bullshit. It's just you and me.” His
steely gaze bore into him. “What happened out there? It was
supposed to be a simple flash and grab.”
    Spencer debated whether to brief him with the
truth or make up some story to pacify him. As a member of the
board, Miller had the authority to pull the intel up after a find.
Even if Spencer lied to him, the man would eventually get the
truth. If that didn't come from Spencer now, he'd end up in front
of the board to justify his actions.
    The truth wins. “We've got three dead
kidnappers. Two males and a female.”
    “So who has Tommy?”
    “Intel only has three kidnappers. One male
dead in the cabin. The other two dead together about a mile north.”
He kept the details of the blood they found out of it. Miller
didn't need to know about Tommy's wound at the moment. Spencer
would take whatever punishment for withholding the information, but
he wasn't about to add to the stress level if he didn't have
to.
    “Why haven't you told them the truth?”
Spencer nodded at the tent.
    “Those bastards took Tommy right out from
under me. That alone left a message. These guys are pros.
Mercs.”
    “I had that same thought. They told you not
to involve authorities, right?”
    “Of course.”
    “Where's the father in all this? I notice
Tommy has the same last name as you, as does your daughter.”
    “The father was nothing more than a sperm
donor. He disappeared well before Tommy was born.”
    “Could he be back and looking for the title
of Father of the Year?”
    Miller shook his head. “He died in a
motorcycle accident in California three years ago. It's not him. He
was a James Dean type. Martha fell for him. She likes the bad
boys.” He glared at the tent.
    Salazar.
    “What else can you tell me?”
    “Before the drop, I got a text from a burner
phone.” Miller's eyes shined as he fought to keep his expression
firm, his chin steady. He stared off into the distance as he
recited the text. “' Tell anyone about the drop and Tommy dies.
We are watching and will know .' That's why I called in TREX. I
had no idea they'd find out. Jesus Christ, Allen. I killed my own
grandson by calling you in.”
    Shit. Spencer's jaw clenched at that little
bit of intel. “Why didn't you tell anyone about the text?”
    “I didn't think it mattered.”
    Why in the fuck would he think a text from
the kidnappers didn't matter?
    Miller swung his swollen gaze back to
Spencer. “How did they find out about you?” That accusatory look in
Miller's eyes pissed him off.
    He rested his gaze on Miller and waited
several seconds for his temper to settle. “Who else knows the truth
behind Tommy's disappearance?”
    “Only TREX.” The accusation in his glare grew
critical.
    “There's no leak within TREX. Someone else
has to know. Your daughter thinks Tommy was up here camping with
friends?”
    “That's right. I told her I trusted the
Robinsons and that Tommy would be just fine.” His chin quivered.
The guilt had to be tearing him up.
    Spencer hardened himself against the emotions
threatening to break Martin Miller. “What about Salazar?”
    “Damon? He's worthless. No job. He
practically lives with Martha, mooching off her.”
    “When did they meet?”
    “Three months ago at the park.”
    “Does he have kids?”
    “No.”
    Salazar's appearance three months before
Tommy's kidnapping was more than a coincidence. Spencer would bet
his life on it. Grown men didn't frequent the park unless they had
reason to, like a chance meeting with the mother of his mark. “Then
why was he at a park?”
    “He was jogging by and Martha spilled