Texas Lightning. Gerry Bartlett

drawl King had.

      “Who is this? Where’s Scarlett? How did you get her phone?” Anna hit the command for speaker and held the phone so King could hear.

      “Think you’re so clever, don’t you, Anna Delaney, with your heavy-duty password and encryption? We got your backpack too. Bet that got your goat, computer gal.”

      “I don’t care about that.” Anna’s hand was shaking so hard she would have dropped the phone if King hadn’t grabbed on to hold it steady. “What have you done to Scarlett? Let me talk to her.”

      “You want to talk to your gal pal, give us the encryption key for that program of yours.”

      “Not until I hear her voice.” Anna swallowed bile. Scarlett, so brave. She’d probably do something to make these people mad. Make things worse. Calm, she had to be the voice of reason here. Anna had a brother in SWAT. This was a hostage negotiation. Oh, God. “Prove to me she’s all right. I want her safe and away from you before you get access to my program.”

      “As if we’re letting you call the shots.” The voice was nasty and sent shudders through her. “Here’s your proof of life. For now.”

      “Anna! Don’t give these assholes anything!”

      “Scarlett!” Anna heard a scream, a clatter, and the phone went dead.