Remembering how isolated they had been for weeks after their kidnapping, Rowan wasn’t surprised at his lack of socialization or education.
Evan was arguing that she, Malcolm, and Thor would all stay far away from the action once they arrived.
“This man might be a killer,” the captain told him. “This isn’t an operation where a civilian’s dog goes looking for a missing child. We will address the threat first. Then look for the boy. Understood?” He glanced Rowan’s way and she gave a short nod.
Vargas was right. Thor wasn’t a police search dog who knew how to take down criminals. She needed to let the SWAT team do what it was trained to do.
He acknowledged Rowan’s agreement and strode away to his men.
Evan gave her a thumbs-up, a drawn expression on his face. They’d won, but there was a long, stressful day ahead of them.
Rowan glanced at Malcolm, who was sitting on a low brick wall, deliberately apart from everyone, Thor at his side. Her dog had stuck close to Malcolm for the past two hours, knowing he was needed. Rowan was surprised that Thor would leave her side for so long, but she was also very proud.
We’ll find him his own dog when this is over.
Malcolm had a lot to learn and experience. Rowan was overwhelmed when she thought about his future. But the important part was that he was here. They’d tackle each challenge as it came.
“Let’s go!” Captain Vargas hollered at his men, who loaded into the SWAT vehicle. A command center the size of a motor home was ready to follow.
The captain, Evan, Malcolm, Rowan, and Thor were to ride in a Suburban, Malcolm giving directions. Once the captain knew the location of the building in the forest, he’d pull back and formalize a plan with his men.
The group loaded into the Suburban, Malcolm in front with the captain, and set off.
Rowan blew out a breath, trying to slow her pounding heart.
Hang on, West.
“Turn left onto the highway,” I tell the captain.
He is angry, his jaw tight. He’s told me to speak up three times. I feel as if I’m back with Liam.
It is familiar, and I relax a fraction.
I find assholes comforting?
Even I know there is something twisted in that logic.
My stomach churns, and I taste acid on the back of my tongue. I’m sweating, and I dab at my temples with the hem of my shirt. I risk a glance back at Rowan and make eye contact with Thor. The dog sits on the bench seat between Rowan and Evan, his ears turned toward me. Something eases in my chest. Thor doesn’t ask me questions, doesn’t have expectations, doesn’t look at me with confusion in his eyes.
But all the people do.
No wonder I’m drawn to him. He brings peace in this noisy new world.
I turn my attention to the road. “We’ll drive this for quite a while.”
“How long is ‘quite a while’？” the captain snaps.
I cringe, instinctively ducking my head. I inhale deeply and remind myself he is trying to help. “I’m not sure. We’ll pass an odd lava rock formation on the left and take the next turn. I don’t know its name. Might just have a number.”
The captain checks the position of the SWAT vehicle in his mirrors and repeats what I said over a radio.
“Copy.” The response crackles loudly in the vehicle.
I close my eyes and fight against waves of nausea.
I don’t want to go back.
Rowan and Evan swear I’ll be safe. That they won’t let him near me, but my anxiety tells me a different story. It says I’ll soon be back in the box with Liam yelling what an idiot I am for thinking I could escape.
Shudders shake me in my seat. I open my eyes and suck in a breath.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the captain frown at me. I know he hates me and thinks I’m stupid.
I’m not doing this for him; I’m doing it for three boys.
West, Elijah, and me.
Rowan wasn’t surprised at how fast the SWAT team had set up its command center and put its members into action. She’d witnessed it before.
Malcolm had led everyone to a road near where Liam had kept him captive.
Rowan gripped Evan’s hand as they watched the SWAT operation on video screens in the command center. It was crowded in the large motor home, and Malcolm had taken one look and said he’d wait outside. Thor was with him.
After scouting and checking maps and aerial views of the area, the team put together a plan. The target was a portable. One of those prebuilt rectangular buildings that businesses used for temporary on-site offices or when they simply needed a bit more space.
The team’s snipers, who also functioned as scouts, had spotted a white truck parked near the portable, and the aerial photos showed a small structure two hundred yards away. Rowan stared at the small square, nearly hidden by large trees, and knew that was where she and Malcolm had been held. When Malcolm had first mentioned being held in a box, she’d assumed it was that structure. He’d later clarified he’d been in a small wooden box, showing the size with his arms. During his demonstration, his mom had left the room, her face pale, and Rowan had had to turn away, feeling ill.