Anne wasn't wrong. The cars behind were disabled, but they hadn't gone more than ten miles when she spotted a single, black SUV parked sideways, blocking the narrow country road.
"Okay, what now? Any suggestions?" She spoke to the others, but never took her eyes off the dark vehicle lit up by their headlights.
"Ram it?"
"Thanks, Rufus. Not really a safe option. "
"How about.." Georgie never finished the sentence. Anne raised her hand for silence when the front door of the SUV opened and a solitary man stepped out.
The well dressed man shut the door and stepped away from the vehicle, still in the light, both hands raised high.
Anne sat perfectly still. The others were silent, the air thin. Finally, she spoke. "Blinky, you and me. Ready?"
"Right behind you."
Two doors opened, but only Anne could be seen stepping out. Slowly she moved toward the man. She noticed he was older than she expected. Older than the agents sent to capture them.
"You must be Anne." He smiled, she didn't.
"I would recognize you even with that hair. Ethan said you were beautiful. Strong and beautiful. " His smile never faded.
Anne took a few steps closer. She could feel Griffen at her side. Please, don't let him taze me, she begged silently.
"Who are you?"
"I think you know who I am."
She was close enough now to see his features in the stark headlights.
" You are Ethan's father." Her voice was flat.
" I am." He lowered his hands. She could feel Griffen shift. " Easy Blinky."
The Vice President's lips twitched.
" I have heard so much about you all. Is everyone in the vehicle?"
Anne said nothing.
"I completely understand your hesitation. I agree you should be careful, but what I'm about to ask you comes from me..a father, Ethan's father, not a government representative. "
Anne waited.
"Ethan is being held in a warehouse in Montreal. I have no way of me helping him short of a full scale attack on foreign soil. Never a good option. I am hoping that you and Ethan's friends can do what I cannot. "
He quickly explained the kidnapper's demands and the plan he had for them.