Wrong Number by Rachelle Christensen Read Free Book Online

agent covering the mouthpiece on the phone. Agent Edwards’ face was crimson, and it made his hair look almost white.
    “I’m sorry, Mrs. Stewart. I thought someone had explained to you that you cannot share any details about your case.”
    “What? Give me the phone. I’m trying to talk to my mother. I’m not doing anything illegal!” Aubree shouted and stood up.
    As she reached for the phone, Edwards said, “Aubree listen, the police didn’t contact your mother this morning. It must’ve been someone else related to this crime.”
    “What? How did you know?”
    “We have these lines tapped into a listening service,” Edwards replied and pointed at the clear spiral cord trailing from his ear.
    “Okay, but how could they find her so fast?”
    Edwards didn’t answer. He put the phone to his ear. “Hello, this is Agent Jason Edwards from the FBI. I’m sorry to interrupt your phone call, but I need to verify that you are Madeline Nelson. Can you please tell me what condition your daughter is in?”
    Aubree sat silently and watched as he nodded his head. “And when is she due?” There was another pause. “What is she having? A boy or girl?” He smiled and nodded again. Then he sat beside Aubree and covered the mouthpiece. “Haskins, Cody, we need to get somebody over to Aubree’s mother’s home in Idaho ASAP. Some police officers went over there today.”
    “They couldn’t have been our guys,” Haskins said.
    “They weren’t. They were trying to see if Mrs. Nelson knows anything. Our guys weren’t scheduled to pick her up for another hour.”
    “Consider it done. We’ll have her leave immediately,” Haskins said.
    “Hold on a minute. I’m going to put Mrs. Nelson on speakerphone, and I want you to hear what she has to say.” Edwards looked at Aubree. “You cannot tell your mother where you are. If you do, it could put her life in danger.”
    Aubree swallowed and reminded herself to be brave as the agent pressed the button for the speakerphone. “Mom, I’m okay.”
    “I wish I could be there to hold you right now,” Madeline said. “I’m so sorry this happened.”
    “Mrs. Nelson, this is Agent Edwards again. I’d like you to be ready to leave as soon as possible. Our agents will be there to pick you up shortly, and you can take the first flight available into San Diego. I’ll have someone meet you there so that you can be with your daughter.”
    “But where is Aubree? Are you holding her somewhere?”
    Aubree leaned toward the phone. “Mom, it’s all right. I didn’t want to be at the house right now.”
    “How do you know these men are real agents?”
    “Because I—”
    Edwards held up his hand again. “Mrs. Nelson, I can assure you we are true officers of the law. You don’t need to worry about Aubree. We’re just trying to help her get some rest and keep your grandchild safe.”
    “But the police officers that came to my home today told me about what Devin did. They told me about the other things connected to this case, so I don’t know why you’re being so secretive.” Madeline’s voice continued to rise in pitch.
    “They said that Devin was in some kind of trouble. Aubree, they said the FBI might get involved and that I should call these police officers immediately if they did because it was out of the FBI’s jurisdiction.”
    “Mom, Devin didn’t do anything. He was murdered.” Aubree covered her mouth.
    “I don’t know who to trust,” Madeline said. “Aubree, you need to get out of there. I don’t think you’re safe.”
    “Mrs. Nelson, I’m afraid those men weren’t real police officers,” Edwards interrupted. “Whatever you do, don’t call them. In fact, I’dlike you to give me the number. It’s probably not even a real number,” he said.
    “Why should I give you the number?” Madeline demanded.
    “Fine,” Edwards said through gritted teeth. “Call the Federal Bureau of Investigation yourself and ask them if Jason Edwards is a legitimate