Ransom by Terri Reed

glanced at Blake, wondering why he was asking a question that he knew the answers to.
    With a grimace, Travis said, “I was spouting off. I bragged about lifting the piece. It was stupid. Stealing the necklace was stupid.”
    â€œUnderstatement.” He cupped Liz’s elbow. “Let’s go.”
    â€œWait!” Travis called. “Please, you need me to help you find Santini.”
    Blake left Liz’s side and stalked forward to stare down Travis. “What makes you think we’d trust you again?” Blake reached into Travis’s coat pocket and removed two cell phones—Liz’s and the one Santini had called Travis on. “We’ll find Santini without you.”
    A blue and white Niagara Regional Police car pulled in the alley and parked next to Blake’s sedan. The two officers Travis had overpowered emerged, their expressions hard. No doubt the officers were angry at themselves for letting Travis get the upper hand. Liz had a feeling that the two officers wouldn’t let it happen again. Blake greeted them, then said, “Arrest this man for kidnapping, impeding an investigation and for smuggling illegal goods.”
    â€œI’ll go with them to the station,” Nathanial said.
    â€œGood.” Extra protection against Travis escaping again. Blake turned to Liz and gestured to the sedan.
    â€œAre you sure we don’t need Travis?” Liz said, walking fast to keep up with Blake.
    â€œI’m sure,” Blake said. “We have Santini’s number. We’ll trace it and find his location, then rescue your sister.”
    She climbed into his car and buckled up, and was glad when he started the engine and cranked up the heat. “How long will that take?”
    â€œI don’t know,” he said. “With this storm it might take longer than I’d like.” The windshield wipers struggled to keep up with the falling snow.
    â€œWhere’s the necklace?”
    He pulled into traffic. “In the trunk.”
    Seeming satisfied with that answer, she said, “Travis wouldn’t tell me where Santini was hiding out.” She couldn’t keep the frustration out of her voice. “Travis is determined to be the one to rescue Jillian since she’s his wife. But I told him he needed to let you do your job.”
    Blake slanted her a glance. “I’m glad to hear you say that.”
    Pleased with his approval more than she should be, more than was smart, she settled back and tried to contain herself and regain her composure. “I just don’t understand Travis. He claims to love Jillian, yet he keeps putting her life in more danger.”
    â€œI’ve learned over the years that some people are incapable of good judgment. And some people lack common sense. Then there are those who are pure evil.”
    The jaded tone in his voice hurt her heart. “I’d imagine in your line of work you see a great deal of strange behaviors and horrible situations.”
    He nodded. “I do. Some of it is sheer stupidity. And some people buy into a lie that convinces them what they are doing is the right thing even though it makes no sense and is usually destructive.”
    Remembering the Sunday sermons at Peaceful Hope Church, she said, “Our pastor talked often about the battle that is constantly being waged for our souls. I suppose that’s the lie you’re talking about. Evil can be persuasive and pervasive.”
    Blake made an affirming noise in his throat. “That’s true.”
    When the sedan slowed, Liz realized they were in line to cross the Rainbow Bridge back into the United States. She sat up straight. “What are we doing? Why are we leaving Canada?”
    â€œI need you to go home so I can do my job without having to worry about you, too,” he said in an exceptionally even tone that grated on her nerves.
    â€œNo way,” she said, setting her jaw. “I’m not