Free Hard Target: Elite Ops - Book One by Kay Thomas

irritated her. “What do I tell him? His father, despite his many faults, loves him. How do I tell Zach that Max wants me dead? I won’t be able to take those words back once I say them.” She felt lost, and part of her wanted nothing more than for someone to tell her what to do. Another part of her wanted to stand on her own and to be left the hell alone.
    Leland gave her a calculating look. He’s not sure how much to say , she thought.
    “Zach’s old enough to recognize your marriage is falling apart. He told me as much tonight. Lying about that will only give the information more power than it has. So talk to him. You don’t have to go into detail about everything to tell Zach that you love him and would do anything for him.” He leaned forward, putting both feet firmly on the floor. “What’s the harm in your son knowing that?”
    His words surprised her. She tilted her head to look at him and wondered exactly what Leland did as a DEA agent. “You ever think about going into family therapy?”
    He laughed—a booming, hearty sound—so rich, deep, and unexpected that it resonated inside her. She actually felt the echoes bouncing around in her chest.
    “No, ma’am. I’ve never thought about that kind of job change before.”
    “So what is it you do exactly?” she pressed.
    “Nothing you want to hear about tonight. We’ll talk about me next time.” He smiled and she noted the lines of exhaustion around his eyes.
    The hotel clerk walked over with her new card keys. Their room would be on the second floor, next door to Leland’s.
    “I wonder where our personal bell hop is?” he asked.
    The calm that had been slowly unfurling inside her chest fled. “He should be back by now.” She looked around, intent on not overreacting after the drama-filled day she’d had.
    “It’s alright. He’s probably playing a video game. Let’s go up. We’ll check on him and get you moved,” said Leland.
    The elevator door dinged , but Zach wasn’t there. Leland opened the fire exit door before stepping into the elevator car. The stairwell was empty as well.
    The first lick of real fear shimmied up her spine. What had Max said? He’d have his son back one way or the other.
    Watching the numbers tick by on the elevator, Anna’s cool demeanor fled and her head was awash in “what ifs.” They stepped off the elevator, and she hurried down the corridor beside Leland, scared to death of what she’d find.
    “I’m sure he’s just kicking back up here in my room for a moment. It’s been a tense evening,” he offered.
    She didn’t believe that and wondered if Leland really did either. At the end of the hall, it was obvious something was wrong before they got to the room. Leland’s door was wide open but hanging askew on the wooden frame. Bile rose in the back of her throat as she rushed past him, stumbling into the trashed room.
    Her eyes darted around the space. She couldn’t breathe. Video games and the iPad from Max’s package were again scattered over the floor along with Zach’s iPhone and the clothing from their carry-on. A broken chair lay on its side. This was déjà vu.
    She stared at the chaos, her mind refusing to accept what her eyes were taking in. Her emotions caught up when she spied a wet smear of blood marring the white Formica dining table. Beside the stain lay a folded sheet of paper with her name boldly printed in block letters.
    She felt herself come apart as her breath caught in her lungs. Pushing past Leland, she stopped in the middle of the room. Her knees buckled and she sank to the floor. Squeezing her eyes shut did little to block the rising horror.
    Nothing could hide the truth.
    “Oh my god, they’ve taken Zach.”

 
    Chapter Nine
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    L ELAND STUDIED THE room. It was easier than watching Anna try to beat back overwhelming fear and panic. Her arms were crossed around her middle as she silently rocked forward and backward on her knees. He didn’t touch her as she fought to pull