Allyn and Ransom – 30

 

Allyn and Ransom left the restaurant and, after they'd shared a few kisses when Ransom dropped Allyn off at his car, headed to their separate homes.

 

On Saturday, Allyn spent most of the day trying to rein in his nerves. It was one thing to plan how to catch the man in black. It was another to actually realize he was the bait in said plans—something that was really hitting home now.

 

Ransom called in the middle of the afternoon to tell Allyn to meet him at the station house at seven so he could set Allyn up with the bug. That did nothing to calm Allyn's unease. Ransom telling him, "By this time tomorrow he'll be in custody" did, because Ransom sounded so positive.

 

Allyn was dressed and ready to leave at six thirty when Miranda came dashing down the stairs to join him.

 

"Turn around," she said. When he asked why, she showed him the silver hair clasp she was holding. "This is for luck. Mama gave it to me after my first shift."

 

When he turned, she removed the one he was wearing, replacing it with hers. "There. Now go forth and slay the beast."

 

Allyn chuckled, giving her a hug. "Not sure there will be any slaying, but we will catch him."

 

"I know you will." She kissed his cheek. "John and I will see you in a couple of hours. Love you."

 

"Love you too."

 

The first thing Ransom said when he came down to get Allyn from the station's waiting area was, "You look so damned handsome. I like the touch of red." He flicked Allyn's bow tie.

 

"There's also the cummerbund." Allyn opened his jacket to show Ransom. "You look pretty handsome too. You wear tuxes well."

 

"Thanks. I've decided it's all in the attitude." He grinned. "If you have it, flaunt it."

 

"And you definitely have it," Allyn replied, relaxing for the first time that day. It only lasted until they got up to Ransom's office and Ransom held up the tiny bug, telling Allyn to turn around. While he affixed it in Allyn's hair, the tension returned—and not all of it was because of the reason for needing the bug. Some of it came from Ransom touching his hair and the sensual feelings that evoked. Allyn did his best to tap them down and regain his composure when Ransom said he was finished.

 

They then tested the bug, both physically—by having Allyn shake his head hard several times to check it was securely attached—and vocally to be certain Ransom could hear anything Allyn said, even when whispering.

 

"This is for everyone else linked to you," Ransom reminded Allyn. "You and I will be mind-speaking."

 

"Thank God," Allyn replied. "If he does take me—if we get that lucky—knowing you're in my head will help keep me from blowing things."

 

"You'll do just fine," Ransom assured him, accenting his words with a firm kiss.

 

Allyn prayed he was correct as he drove to the airport. He arrived there, fifteen minutes before the ball was officially scheduled to start, and found a place to park. Strolling as casually as he could master, he joined the small group of early arrivals at the main entrance to the terminal.

 

The doors opened exactly at eight. After taking a deep breath and handing his ticket to the man at the door, Allyn entered the main concourse. He paused, taking in the elegant art deco design. He knew the airport had been restored after the damage wrought by Katrina. He hadn't realized the extent of the restoration. It was like stepping into a past era—despite the large fabric airplanes, hanging from the ceiling of the two-story atrium, which were part of the ball's decorations.

 

"Impressive, isn't it," Detective Lane said as she and Thornton joined him. Sotto voce she said, "Relax. You look like you've got a stick up your ass."

 

Allyn chuckled, now looking around to see who he knew. He spotted a couple of old friends, going to join them. From there, the evening progressed as expected—hundreds of people dining and dancing to the music of a small orchestra at the far end of the concourse.

 

Miranda and John joined Allyn midway through the evening, as did Ransom, moments later.

 

"You're a hard man to track down," John said. "If it wasn't for your hair…"

 

"I know," Allyn agreed. "A black tux is a black tux. You on the other hand…" He eyed Miranda's dress. "Beautiful and perfectly you."

 

"She does look like a glimmering ruby in a sea of drab emeralds and sapphires," Ransom commented.

 

"How descriptive and poetic," Allyn said, chuckling. He didn't move closer to Ransom. If their predator was here and watching—although Allyn hadn't seen him so far—it wouldn't do for him to think Allyn was with Ransom on a personal level, or at least so Allyn thought. Apparently Ransom agreed since he stayed where he was.

 

::I take it you haven't spotted him,:: Ransom said.

 

::No. I gather you and your people haven't either?::

 

::No. But it isn't midnight quite yet.::

 

Allyn smiled dryly. ::The witching hour.:: He immediately said, aloud, to Miranda, "Have you danced with anyone except John?"

 

"As if." She smiled up at her fiancé. "From now on, he's the only man I'll ever dance with. Well, except maybe you and Ransom, Allyn."

 

"Yeah, you're safe with us," Ransom replied, winking at her.

 

"That reminds me of Liam's…" Allyn swallowed hard. "He said that about the guys you danced with at the masked ball."

 

Miranda patted Allyn's arm. "He's a good man. And yeah, I'm going to keep saying 'is' until we know differently. So there."

 

"He…is." Once again, Allyn scanned the people he could see from where he was standing, hoping to find the man in black. Then he had an idea. Excusing himself, he crossed to the stairs leading to the balcony surrounding the concourse. When he got to the top, he walked halfway down and, leaning on the railing, looked at the party attendees from his vantage point above them.

 

::Anything?:: Ransom asked.

 

::Not so far. But at least I can see everyone. If I spot him, I'll let you know.::

Allyn and Ransom – 29

 

"She's good," Allyn said, once he found Ransom again. "She pulled things out of me I wasn't even aware I'd noticed."

 

"One of the best in the country." Ransom looked at the copy of the sketch Allyn handed him. "Clean shaven. No identifying marks. I presume the area around the eyes is her guesstimate, since you said he was wearing a mask."

 

"Yeah. Still, he should be recognizable unless he's done something to change his appearance."

 

"I'll get copies of this out to everyone involved." Ransom leaned back, looking at Allyn. "You free for supper?"

 

"Maybe. Depends where. I'm not up for some fancy-yancy place."

 

"Be still my heart. You mean you're willing to eat where the peons do?"

 

Allyn flipped him off.

 

"Guess that's a yes. Come on. We'll take my truck."

 

A few minutes later they were parking on the street a couple of blocks from the race track. Ransom led the way to what looked like a hole-in-the-wall bar and grill Allyn wasn't certain he wanted to visit. That is, until they stepped inside and the aroma of the food hit him.

 

"Smells good, huh?" Ransom said, pointing to a vacant table. "Tastes better."

 

The minute they sat, the waitress came over to hand them menus. "Beer?" When Ransom nodded, she hurried away.

 

"What's good?" Allyn asked.

 

"What isn't? Me? I always get the gumbo and a Po' Boy. Best ones you'll ever taste, especially the garlic oyster."

 

"I recommend this one," the waitress said, setting down their beers and tapping Allyn's menu. "BBQ shrimp."

 

"How about one of those and the garlic oyster Po' Boy. We can share," Ransom suggested. "And two bowls of gumbo."

 

Allyn agreed and they placed their orders.

 

"Now that we're alone," Ransom said, resting his elbows on the table, which brought him closer to Allyn.

 

"Not sure we're alone, but…"

 

"You know what I mean. I was thinking—and no smartass comments on that."

 

"Never."

 

"Uh-huh. Anyway," Ransom continued, "we never did it the last time we were together, so… ::Can you hear me?::

 

Allyn grinned. ::I thought you'd never ask. Yes, I can mind speak. I haven't done it, except with Miranda a few times back when she was a pup. It was how we kept secrets from the parents.::

 

::Meaning you can block it so only the person you're communicating with can hear you. That's good. It didn't occur to me until my team was discussing how we'd track you if you are captured. Bugs are fine as far as they go, but they can be found, no matter how well they're hidden.::

 

::That wouldn't be good in this case.::

 

::In any case,:: Ransom replied, ::but especially this time. If he found it before he took you…wherever.::

 

::Yeah. So we'll do mind speaking. How close will you need to be to hear me?::

 

::The last time I did it with someone, we were good up to a mile, give or take.::

 

::You can't follow me that closely. He might spot your car.::

 

Ransom smiled grimly. ::A car, yeah. A wolf? Not likely.::

 

Allyn nodded. ::That would work. And probably enhance your ability to hear me.::

 

::Now all we have to do is hope he doesn't sedate you. If he does, we could be SOL.::

 

"Guys?" They turned to see their waitress standing there with their meals. "You two must really be into each other," she said, grinning. "You were doing the whole gazing into each other's eyes so intensely you didn't even know I was here."

 

"Yeah." Ransom sat back, overtly squeezing Allyn's thigh. "I guess we are."

 

"Guess?" Allyn pretended to be offended. "I know we are." He leaned in to give Ransom a kiss.

 

"You two are cute," the waitress commented. "If it was me, I'm not sure I'd have ordered the garlic oyster Po' Boy, under the circumstances."

 

Allyn shrugged. "Since we're sharing…"

 

"True. Enjoy. The food, I mean." She winked then walked away.

 

"The food—and the company," Ransom said quietly, staring intently at Allyn.

 

As always—since they'd been reunited—Allyn's heart pounded faster when Ransom took things to a very personal level. All he could think right now was how much he wanted them in bed, making love the way they used to. He was instantly quite glad mind reading and mind speak were two very different things.

 

A moment later, Allyn wondered if they were when Ransom murmured, "Only a few more days and we will be." Allyn's surprise must have shown in his expression, because Ransom chuckled. "I have the feeling, from looking at you, that our minds are both going to the same place. Bed."

 

"For sure mine was. Damn, I want this over and done with. Why the hell did we decide to wait?"

 

"Because we need to concentrate on the most important thing first."

 

Allyn chuckled. "Right now I'm not so certain stopping him is more important than my need for you. But that's just my body talking."

 

Ransom grinned, replying, "So I'm only a sex object to you?"

 

"You're more than that," Allyn protested before he caught on to the fact Ransom was teasing him.

 

"I know," Ransom said quietly. "And soon enough we'll prove it. Right now, however, we need to eat before everything gets cold."

 

"Definitely," Allyn agreed.

 

They ate, mostly in silence except when commenting on the food, but that didn't stop them from gazing at each other between bites. And contrary to his protestations to Miranda—and himself—Allyn knew he loved Ransom.

 

When this is over, I will show him just how much I do.

Allyn and Ransom – 28

 

"All right, everyone," Ransom said when he and Allyn entered the conference room. The members of his team were there already, and Ransom made the introductions before saying, "As I told you, Allyn has agreed to help us out tomorrow night."

 

"Because you know what our perp looks like," Thornton said to Allyn. A statement, not a question.

 

"Yes." Allyn took the seat Ransom pointed to, while Ransom sat at the head of the table.

 

"You'll be wired so we can track you, if he does take you," Daniels told Allyn.

 

"I think he will," Allyn replied. "We made a connection of sorts at the masked ball. Tenuous, but it was there. Sort of like, if he hadn't already chosen Ellis as his victim, he might have taken me instead. At least that's the way it felt to me, after I found out about what's going on and had a chance to think about it."

 

"Makes sense," Johnson commented.

 

"What kind of wire?" Allyn asked. "Depending on why he's abducting people, he may or may not strip them down, especially if he's sexually abusing them. He'd find a wire real quick if that's the case."

 

"He's taken a woman as well as men," Hanna Lane put in.

 

Ransom nodded. "We talked about that, Hanna. He may be an equal opportunity rapist, or that may not be what he's doing to his victims. Allyn, we could use an ear bug, but that's iffy too, if he knows what to look for."

 

"Do you have something small enough I could hide it in my hair?"

 

"Yes," Ransom replied. "Obviously it would be for listening only. We wouldn't be able to communicate with you, but we'll hear everything that you, and anyone with you, says."

 

"Okay." Allyn tapped a finger on the table. "Does it have a GPS function?"

 

"Yep." Ransom smiled briefly. "So you won't have to figure out how to work your location into a conversation. That would be a dead giveaway."

 

"No kidding. Are all of you going to be at the airport?"

 

"Yes," Ransom replied. "Daniels and Johnson will be in charge of our officers watching the outside of the terminal. Thornton and Hanna will be inside with us. They'll look like just another couple attending the ball."

 

Hanna sighed. "The things I do. Do you have any idea how much a dress costs that works for this?"

 

Allyn chuckled. "Since my sister's going to be there too, I'm well aware it's not cheap."

 

"I don't like the idea of her attending," Thornton commented. "What if our perp does home in on you, Allyn, realizes she's your sister, and decides to grab her as bait?"

 

"First off, if he approaches me, I'll go willingly. That is why you're using me. Secondly, she's being accompanied by John, her…boyfriend." Allyn decided, since Miranda had said no one knew about her engagement, he wasn't going to be the one to announce it. "He's no one to fuck with."

 

"Neither is she," Ransom murmured. Allyn knew what he meant, but when Daniels, who didn't, asked, Ransom rolled his eyes. "She read me the riot act a week or so ago. I had the feeling she'd have laid into me with more than words if I hadn't listened."

 

"Oh, yeah," Allyn agreed. "She may be small, but John has trained her well." In her human form. He wouldn't stand a chance against her when she's a wolf.

 

"The doors open for the ball at eight. We'll be set up at seven. There will also be security guards, since one of the items being raffled off is a twenty-thousand dollar necklace. The guards know we're going to be there too. Not that they'll leave their posts, but they will be another set of eyes—or sets, I guess. They'll have our artist's rendition of what he looks like, after I get Allyn to sit down with her."

 

Allyn looked at him in surprise. "When will that be?"

 

"It's next on my agenda," Ransom replied. "Once we're finished here." Turning to the others, he asked, "Can you think of anything Allyn needs to know that we haven't covered?"

 

"I have a question," Allyn put in. "Did you ever find Liam's car?"

 

"Yes," Ransom replied. "It was in a lot a block from the Board of Trade building, which tells us he was taken away from the site in the perp's car."

 

"Probably thought he'd gotten lucky," Allyn muttered.

 

"Probably," Ransom agreed. "All right. Anything else, anyone?" When the team members shook their heads, Ransom dismissed them. Then he took Allyn down to the police artist's office where Allyn spent the next half hour telling her every detail he could recall about the man in black.

Allyn and Ransom – 27

 

 

Allyn made it home safe and sound late Thursday night, feeling as if he'd done well while he was gone. I only got shot at twice. Ran will be glad to know that—not.

 

Miranda waylaid him in the parlor, moments after he came downstairs at close to noon Friday morning. "What are we going to wear tomorrow night?"

 

"Since it's not clothing-optional, I, for one, will be wearing a tux."

 

"That's it?"

 

"Yeah. Why?"

 

"Bo-oring. At least tell me it won't be black. You looked so great in the blue one last weekend."

 

"Thanks. Hmm. How about I accessorize with red?"

 

"Yes!" Miranda grinned. "That works perfectly because I bought a new red dress and, umm, I got John a red vest and bow tie. Before you ask, he does own a tux."

 

"Good. But why is he coming with us?"

 

"Well…" Miranda actually blushed before holding out her hand.

 

"Told you so." Allyn hugged her tightly. "Congratulations."

 

"Thank you. He proposed on the boat Wednesday night. I couldn't say no."

 

"No kidding. So when is the wedding?"

 

"Good grief, Allyn, we haven't gotten nearly that far yet. As a matter of fact, you're the only one who knows, other than his family. I'm trying to convince him we should have a party to make the official announcement."

 

"I just want to shout it from the rooftops," John said, coming into the parlor. He strode over to Miranda, kissing her heartily. "But she says that's so gauche."

 

Allyn laughed. "It is."

 

"I'm going to be escorted by the two handsomest men in town tomorrow night," Miranda said, linking arms with Allyn and John.

 

"Actually," Allyn replied, "I might have a date of my own, depending on how we decide to do things."

 

Miranda sobered. "You think that bastard might show up tomorrow night? And before you start blustering, I've told John all about him."

 

"We're hoping he does," Allyn replied. He wasn't worried that she'd told John. He would have been surprised if she hadn't, actually. After all, she trusted him enough to tell him what she was.

 

"Will you recognize him?" John asked.

 

"If it's the man we think it is, I will. He was at the masked ball a couple of weeks ago and I got a good look at him. You might remember him, Mandi. He was dressed all in black."

 

Miranda frowned. "Sort of? He came over when you and Liam and I were eating. He gave me the shivers."

 

"Yeah, me too."

 

"I bet Liam would remember. He has a good eye for faces."

 

Taking a deep breath, realizing he hadn't told her, Allyn said, "Liam's missing."

 

"Oh my God. Do you think…? You do, don't you? I'm so sorry, Allyn." She hugged him in commiseration. "You and Ransom had better catch that son-of-a-bitch." She stepped back, staring at him. "No. No you're not!"

 

John seemed puzzled. "He's not what, Mandi?"

 

She glared at Allyn, telling John, "Setting himself up as bait. That's what you're planning, isn't it, Allyn?"

 

"Can you think of anyone better to do it? He grabs me, takes me wherever. I teleport away and let Ransom know. He brings in the troops and bam, one less predator out there."

 

"That plan has more holes in it than Swiss cheese," John said. "All he has to do is drug you, for starters."

 

"Yeah, well, Ransom and I haven't worked out the finer details yet." Allyn smiled wryly. "He's on your side, Mandi. He doesn't want me to do this either. But I'm going to, no matter what."

 

"Maybe he can lock you up and…" John shook his head. "Okay, that wouldn't work."

 

"As I pointed out to Ransom when he suggested it. Speaking of which, I'd better call him to let him know I'm back."

 

"Might be a good idea," Miranda said.

 

Allyn did, and agreed to meet Ransom at the station house at two that afternoon.

Allyn and Ransom – 26

 

 

"You hit it on the head," Ransom said as soon as Allyn answered his phone.

 

"Dawson was wearing something red?" Allyn asked sleepily.

 

Ransom chuckled. "Did I wake you?"

 

"You did, but that's okay. Was he?"

 

"Yes. But so were over half of the people who went to the gala. It seems the clothing theme was, get this, red and white to match the boat."

 

"Were they clutching at straws with that theme?" Allyn chuckled. "So the fact he was wearing… What?"

 

Ransom snorted. "A red and white striped blazer and a straw hat. Him and a lot of the other men. I'd say our kidnapper had a variety to choose from and Dawson was just the luck of the draw."

 

"Other than the fact a lot of the people were older, you're probably right."

 

Ransom made an abrupt change of subject, at least in Allyn's opinion, asking what his plans were for the day.

 

"I'm heading out west until Friday morning."

 

"Ah."

 

"I have an ulterior motive, beyond protecting the wolves. I know if I stay here, I'll be phoning you every half hour for updates. That would drive both of us crazy."

 

"I'd stop answering after the first couple," Ransom retorted with a laugh. "So go play defender and try not to get your fine ass shot by some hunter in the process."

 

Allyn smiled at the 'fine ass' comment. "I'll do my damnedest not to. If by some miracle there is a break in the case, call me?"

 

"You bet. Okay, I have to hang up now. Duty calls." Ransom paused momentarily. "I meant it about being careful. We have plans, and I for one do not want them to get screwed up."

 

"Nope. Won't happen. I'd rather get screwed than screw them up."

 

"Allyn!" Ransom guffawed. "I'll see you Friday?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Be careful," Ransom said one more time before hanging up.

 

Always am. And now I have even more reason to be.