When I tuck my flashlight under my arm and check the photo ofthe topographic map, the light from my screen illuminates my heaving breaths, making little clouds. It’s good I’m moving. Otherwise, in this cold damp, I could easily become hypothermic.
Little Elk Creek flows from the Bitterroots into the Elk River just north of Gibbs and is separated from the Sons of Eden property by a rocky ridge. It’s impossible to tell how close I am in the dark, but when the valley narrows, I’ll head north, over the ridge, and hopefully drop down to the farm.
From there, I’ll need to get onto the grounds without being detected.
Are they out patrolling in this weather? In the dark?
When Rowdy and I visited, I didn’t notice any fancy security features—no alarm systems or cameras. But if they suspect children are trying to escape, that might have already changed. Do they know they’re being watched by a multi-agency task force?
My boots squelch in the soft ground, sinking to the laces, and the creek bed has narrowed. I’m getting closer.
I silence my phone so when I re-enter coverage, it doesn’t start making noises. Because I have no doubt that Rowdy and probably plenty of other people are going to try to talk me out of this.
Yeah, it’s reckless. And Rowdy’s right. It jeopardizes a powerful opportunity to stop these fuckers once and for all.
But there’s no world I want to live in that doesn’t include Linnea.
I’m sure Rowdy feels that way too. So why isn’t he here?
Leaving the soggy creek bed, I weave through the dense aspens, my hands in front of my face to shield me from low-hanging branches. My progress slows, adding to my growing frustration.
I try to engage my mind. What will I do when I get there? Where will I check first? Do I try to reach Rowdy, so he knows my plan? Or stay dark?
No matter what, I can’t risk getting discovered. Not just for my own survival, but because of what they might do to Linnea as aresult. And how that might hurt the others. Kids like McKenzie and Gweneth.
Though I was trained in law enforcement, I’m no secret agent, skilled in evasive techniques.
All I have is my unyielding determination, my experience, and hopefully, a bit of luck.
There’s no room for doubt. Or failure.
I will find her, then get us both out alive.
Chapter Forty
“Where the hell have you been?”Luke barks into the phone as I limp down the gravel bar, the roar of the creek filling my ears.
I’m breathing hard and my hip is on fire but I’m almost to the truck, with Bruneau trotting alongside me, his coat glossy from the rain.
“They ha—” My voice cracks, and I have to suck in a breath. “—they have Linnea.”
“What?”
My words skip over each other in my rush to explain while remorse and fear rage like a storm inside me. Did I make a mistake retreating to my truck and calling Luke? Should I have gone with CJ instead? How will he rescue Linnea without me if I don’t catch up? What if he starts a war?
“How can you be sure someone from Sons of Eden abducted her?” Luke asks. In the background, a vehicle door thumps shut.
“Fuck, Luke, can we really ignore the possibility? Given all the factors at play. I think Little Elk basin is part of an escape route, and the leaders found out. Maybe they were out chasing anotherrunaway, and saw Linnea dressed an awful lot like a cop. Or saw her work truck and thought it was me coming to bust their balls. They didn’t hesitate to silence Samantha Bowen.” I have to force her name past my lips because it brings up my worst fear. The one that’s been nagging at me all this time.
Why did I let Linnie come out here alone?
“That’s the reason I’ve been trying to reach you.” A burst of radio chatter in the background interrupts him. “We’ve got a DNA match from that tissue you collected. Tolbert Browning assaulted and murdered Samantha Bowen, probably with Wayne Gilbert. And we’ve got Wakefield bragging to Sheriff Thomas about their exploits with underage girls.”
I stop dead in my tracks. The roaring creek and the pounding rain fill the silence while my thoughts cartwheel end over end.
“Things are happening fast,” he adds. “The team is using your field office in Gibbs to organize an arrest op, with members of our critical incident unit and hostage rescue team on standby. Annette and I are going to try to negotiate with Wakefield. Maybe he’ll release members who want out. But if they have Linnea, we may need to shift our priorities. Let me get back to you.” He ends the call before I can get in another word.
I splash across the swollen creek, the icy meltwater soaking my shins. Bruneau and I climb the bank to my vehicle. I know I should stay put and wait for Luke’s call, but I’ve already decided where I’m going. Especially if a specialized tactical team is joining our efforts.