The story elements in this logline are fragment and as a result the plot is unclear.
Just to clarify.
Main character: a former sheriff
Inciting incident: he is kidnapped
Goal: to be rescued
The main character action: leaving joker cards for an agent
I think the problem here may be with the concept and character. If he is a former sheriff presumably he can put up a fight and wouldn't be easy to kidnap, is he injured and therefore can't fight back? How could someone just kidnap a former sheriff?
Once kidnapped why would the sheriff comply with the demands of the perpetrator? Can't he just refuse to do anything? Are his morals being challenged doesn't want to break a promise to a former friend but doesn't want to break the law (this is eluded to but not described as his central dilemma)?
Leaving cards for someone else to find is not a compelling enough an action to satisfy a whole act 2 of a film. What else can he do to help him self that would be more interesting for an audience or more importantly for a reader?
Lastly the main character's problem is a grown man getting away from a kidnaper (no immediate threats have been described) this is not a story worthy problem on its own. Can you add a personal aspect to this? Or make it a must achieve goal or else? Perhaps a ticking time bomb of sorts?
Hope this helps.