Evan gave her hand a double squeeze, and she met his gaze, seeing concern for her in his eyes. She must have done something odd while remembering the box explanation. She smiled and mouthed, “I’m fine.” They both turned their attention back to the screens, which showed choppy views from the team’s helmet cams. Two snipers had set up positions, relaying what they spotted through their sights to team members in the command center.
They reported no movement through the two small windows of the portable, and there was only one entrance.
The rest of the team set up closer to the structure, using the huge pine tree trunks for cover. Their brief statements and replies were broadcast into the command center. Rowan held her breath, knowing the team had decided to immediately enter the structure out of concern that a hostage situation could develop.
This is taking forever.
She understood the delicacy of the situation and had complete trust that the team knew what it was doing. But waiting for news of her nephew seemed to drag on forever.
West’s face had been haunting her, his brown eyes and happy smile. She’d been in constant text contact with Ivy, who was going insane while waiting at home with the rest of the family.
There was a sharp command and movement on every screen as the men moved into place. One moved directly to the door, and another’s view showed a small battering ram in the first man’s hands. He swung it and the flimsy door flew open. Men streamed in behind him, shouts filled the command center, the screen views disorienting from the jostling, and Rowan had to look away to avoid getting dizzy.
“Clear!”
“Clear!”
More shouts.
“The structure is empty,” came the captain’s voice through the speakers.
“He’s here.”
Rowan spun around at Malcolm’s voice. He had silently entered the command center and was staring at the screens. “His truck is parked out front. That means he’s here. The only way to leave is on foot, and there’s nothing within walking distance.”
His voice was strained, his eyes full of torment.
“Could he get a ride with a neighbor?” asked one of the lieutenants monitoring the screens.
“No. There is no one. It was just Liam and me.” He paused. “Just our family.”
Rowan almost missed the last bit. Malcolm had whispered it. He’d referred to himself and his captor as a family a few times. He always said the word with a flat tone. It made her skin crawl.
The lieutenant relayed Malcolm’s information to the team, which started a new search of the area outside the structure. It’d been cleared by the snipers when they moved into position, but now the men would fan out farther.
“What about the other building?” asked Rowan. She pointed at the small square on the aerial photo.
“He still uses that shed,” said Malcolm. He met Rowan’s gaze as they shared a painful memory.
“Soon as they clear the area outside this building a little more,” said the lieutenant. “That’s next.”
“I need to step out,” said Rowan. The jumping videos were too much. Evan and Malcolm went with her, and she took a seat on one of the several stools outside the mobile command center. Thor pressed his nose against her pocket and then walked back a few steps, his eyes and ears alert.
play
Rowan pulled a small collapsible Frisbee from the pocket. “You knew the Frisbee was in there, didn’t you?” she said to the dog. She flung it, and Thor tore away.
“I need to look inside,” said Malcolm, watching Thor.
Evan and Rowan exchanged a glance. “Inside the building they just cleared?” Rowan asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?” asked Evan.
“I just need to. I need to get it out of my system. See it empty.”
“I’ll ask if we can do that now.” Evan vanished into the command center.
As she threw the Frisbee again, Rowan studied Malcolm, noting the determination in his eyes. She understood the need for closure. It was why she’d searched in the woods for years.
And now he’s here in front of me.
She’d immediately adjusted to his presence. Almost as if he’d never left. The twins had reacted more slowly, uncertain about the stranger before them. But Rowan had felt a piece click into place in her heart when she saw his face.
“We can go,” said Evan. “The lieutenant is alerting everyone that we’re approaching the house.”
Rowan stood and brushed off the seat of her pants. She took the slobbery Frisbee from Thor and shoved it back in her pocket. Dog drool didn’t bother her; pants could be washed. Malcolm immediately started in the direction of the house, and the others sped up to accompany him.