“Code word?”

“You know how parents give their kids a safe word? New Species use code words and mine is Jasper’s.”

He paced as he contemplated her offer and finally nodded. “Okay. Mary is gone for a few hours, the guys are taking off in a bit and I’ve got access to the office. They keep cell phones in there. Homeland, you said?”

“Yes. Call Homeland.”

He walked away and Lauren began to pray he actually made that call and that someone got her secret message. It was a long shot but a lot of humans worked with Wrath. One of them might remember Jasper’s. It had been a popular club once.

“Was that the truth?” 140 drew her attention. “Will the NSO make a deal to buy us?”

“They’ll do anything to get you back.”

140 smiled. “I like you.”

Chapter Sixteen

Wrath paced, too worried about Lauren to sleep. He heard footsteps running down the hallway and spun just as his door was pushed open. Shadow burst into the room.

“Come with me now.” He spun and bolted away.

Wrath was on his heels a heartbeat later, terrified something bad had happened. The NSO had assured him they’d meet whatever demands the kidnappers made to get Lauren back safely but humans were unstable. They could have changed the terms.

Shadow ran down the hallway into the main living area and slowed. Wrath paused at his side. Tim and some other humans were sitting at the table with Brass, who pointed at the phone that had been brought into the room.

“We will do that,” Justice North stated from the speakers on the phone. “This female is very smart. We know they have five Species and now have a way to get them returned to us.”

“He’s talking about Lauren,” Shadow whispered.

Confusion filled Wrath but Brass gave him and Shadow a signal to be silent.

Tim sighed. “Are you able to get that kind of money? The guy wants it in a few hours.”

“That isn’t a worry,” Justice replied.

Tim was grim. “The exchange is going to happen in the middle of the night. Where the hell can we get that kind of money? The banks are already closed.”

Justice laughed and so did Brass. Tim shook his head. Wrath wondered what was going on and why there was a meeting about Lauren. He also noted the mention of the exchange possibly happening before dawn and five Species were involved now.

“What is so damn amusing?” Tim slammed his palm on the table. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Brass cleared his throat. “Lauren rescued Wrath when my team was captured and she called Homeland for assistance. One of males told her that they have the ability to quickly trace all incoming calls there. He didn’t believe she really had an unconscious Species with her and accused her of being one of those humans who harass us. He identified her location to prove his point. She talked one of the humans holding her into calling Homeland directly.”

Justice spoke. “She remembered and hoped we could track the signal. She went even farther to ensure that we’d be able to pinpoint the location.”

“It just takes longer to trace a cell phone signal, which the human male used when he called to make his demands but we have bought the best technology there is. We were able to pinpoint the cell tower used where the call originated.” Brass grinned. “Tell them, Justice.”

“This human called and had to explain the deal Lauren made with him. She not only talked him into calling but convinced him we’d agree with any deal she made with him. To prove it, he told us her specially assigned Species code word.” Justice chuckled. “Which we don’t have and that tipped us off that it must be a message.”

A new voice came on the line. “It’s Tiger. I immediately called the local police authorities in the area of the cell tower and asked them if her code word meant anything to them. I had them pull in all their detectives to pool their resources and as soon as they heard it, one of them remembered a club. Her word was ‘Jaspers’ and do you want to know what the name of that club once was?”

“Jasper’s.” Tim smiled.

“Exactly,” Justice chuckled again. “It was turned into a restaurant but eventually it closed down. According the police the building has been unused for a few years but they were kind enough to place a call to power and water for us. Someone is paying to keep the lights on.”

Tim stood fast enough to almost knock his chair over. “I’ll get a team ready immediately. We’ll breach the building.” He snapped his head in the direction of his men. “Find out if we can get the blueprints on it and I want current satellite pictures.”

“Yes sir.” The guy fled to do Tim’s bidding.

“Is Wrath there?”

He stepped closer to the table and the phone. “I’m here, Justice.”

“Your female is very smart. You should be proud of her.”

“I am.” He paused. “I just want her back safely. Wouldn’t it be better to exchange her for what they want, rather than go in after her in an assault?” He glanced at Shadow, seeing worry in his friend’s eyes too over that concern.

Silence stretched but Brass broke it. “We’ve interviewed the human female Mel. She’s unstable and we fear her sister is more so. There’s no guarantee she’ll keep her word, Wrath. We think this is the best option. We’ll hit them fast and hard. Justice is sending both helicopters our way with our people. It will be a joint venture.”

“Her safety is as paramount to us as are our people,” Justice swore. “We want to get them all home. We have two humans trying to make deals with us, both of them want different things, and that implies they aren’t aware of it. They could figure out they are betraying each other and kill your Lauren. It would also give them time to move our people before dawn. We really thought this out.”

“Okay,” Wrath conceded. “I will be there.” His body tensed. “I insist.”

Brass gripped his shoulder. “We agreed you should be with one of the teams going in but you need to keep in control. Do you understand me? One sign that you’re losing it and you’re out of there.”

“When do we leave?” He wanted it to be right then.

“We’re set to go in an hour,” Justice stated. “The helicopters should be setting down in the parking lot in about fifteen minutes. That should give Tim time to plan the mission. We don’t want to rush in there without a plan in place. We’re going to hit them hard and fast, but effectively.”

Wrath grimly nodded. “Agreed.”

* * * * *

Lauren watched the men eat and tried to hide her aversion. It wasn’t cooked at all, just bags of totally raw chunks of meat. She declined when 140 offered her some.

“You need your strength.”

“I can’t eat that,” she admitted. “Really. It makes me sick.”

He frowned and offered it to her again after he used his teeth to tear off a small strip. “One.”

She took it and popped it into her mouth. The metallic taste of cold blood was horrible and it was chewy. It took a while but she managed to choke it down.

“Eat another.”

“Nope. That was it for me. Trust me on that. You don’t want to see it come up.” Her stomach churned. “I’m good until breakfast.” Hopefully I’ll be out of here by then.

140 sighed, appeared slightly disappointed with her, but didn’t argue. He divided her portion of the food into fours, which he split among the other men. They didn’t talk even after they finished their quick dinner and Lauren leaned back against the cage wall. She was tired and it seemed as if a lot of time had passed.

Footsteps drew her attention and Mark walked out from the hallway. He stopped about six feet from her cage. “I called them and they accepted the deal. They are getting the money and my immunity paperwork in order.” He puffed out his chest. “I told them I insist on it being on paper so I have proof. They are planning on having it all done by three. I’m going to leave and they’ll come right after I give them the address.” He pulled out a small little camera and waved it slowly at the cages. “My proof that you are alive and well.”