Page 107 of Lost Truth
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Cady wasn’t surprised by Ivers’s property. The ramshackle building looked exactly like the photos Hayden had located on the internet. She was still surprised that the team allowed her to come along on what could be a dangerous mission. She had to promise to stay in the SUV just as she’d done when they tailed Collins to the ship. Nolan had suggested she stay at the inn, but Hayden went to bat for her and reminded them all she’d listened the other time.
Of course, Gabe had to point out she’d nearly been killed at the end, but Hayden said they could solve that problem by making sure someone stayed with her, no matter what.
The sun dropped below the horizon as Hayden shifted the car into park. She needed a better view so she leaned close to the window, squinting at the weathered wood cabin ahead. Tucked beneath a canopy of towering evergreens, the front yard was a patchwork of overgrown grass. The windows stared back, lifeless and dark, with no hint of light spilling from the cracks in the door or between the warped boards.
Hayden lifted his night vision binoculars. “Grass is trampled to the front door so someone’s been here recently.”
Gabe lowered his window and leaned out. “Looks like a truck bumper sticking out from behind the building, so pretty sure there’s a vehicle here.”
Hayden killed the engine and bent down to his mic. “Sidekick, this is Maverick. Signs point to the building being occupied and a truck parked behind. Over.”
At the meeting, the team determined Hayden and Abby would make the initial approach. Hayden because he was heading up this investigation, and Abby because of her experience as a sheriff where she’d approached many buildings with unknown suspects inside.
“Maverick, this is Sidekick. We should proceed with plan. Over.”
“Roger that, Sidekick. We’re a go in three minutes. Over and out.” Hayden looked at Gabe. “You don’t leave Cady, got it? If you need help, use your comms and request it.”
“I got it, bro. I’m stuck to her like glue.”
“Oh, please.” Cady rolled her eyes. “I’ll never get that visual out of my head.”
Gabe laughed, as she intended, but Hayden simply looked back at her. “Abby and I’ll move in on the cabin to do some recon and report back. You do whatever Gabe says, even if it means leaving the vehicle with him.”
“Of course,” she said, but seriously wanted to crack another joke to lighten the tension as her stomach was rolling like ocean waves.
He seemed as if he wanted to say something else, but spun, grabbed up the rifle he’d kept by his side, and swiftly exited the vehicle.
He crept across a patch of weeds and grass to the first tree where Abby waited, but Cady could barely make out Abby’s profile. A surge of adrenaline hit her all at once. She’d vowed to trust God in all things, but at the moment, her trust might be at an all-time low.
“They’ll be okay, you know.” Gabe glanced at her from between the seats. “They’re pros at what they’re doing, and nothing bad will happen to them.”
She nodded, trying to believe him, believe God, but trust wasn’t coming easily, so she sat back and closed her eyes to pray. Not only for Abby’s and Hayden’s safety, but also for the entire team and anyone inside the cabin.
Please, please, she added.Let this be the end to Kai’s imprisonment and the evildoers brought to justice.
As Hayden picked his way through knee-high grass, he tried to get rid of thoughts from the last time he’d left Cady behind to go on a mission. But the memory of arriving and finding a gun to her head played in his brain, and he couldn’t let it go.
So much for trusting God. He said he would. Not only said it to God, but said it to Cady as well. And he was failing this test placed before him.
Wasn’t that just the way things happened? As a Christian, he committed to trying to improve, and something was immediately placed in his life to test his commitment. Sometimes he passed the test, many times he failed. Well, tonight wasn’t going to be a failure.
Abby held up a hand, and Hayden stopped behind a tree. A perfect time to pray. So he did, earnestly, until Abby waved him forward. He silently slid through the deep grass under the cover of heavy clouds to join his teammate.
“Movement and flashlight beam behind the window on the right,” she whispered.
“Looking at us as if he knows we’re here?”
She shrugged. “Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen so we keep the element of surprise.”
Hayden lifted his microphone. “Maverick here. Be advised we have a subject inside the building. Over.”
“Roger that,” came Jude’s voice through the earpiece. He’d taken the role of communicator in the other vehicle. Gabe echoed the sentiment.
“Advancing now. Be ready for instructions.” Hayden nodded at Abby, and together, they moved in the shadows toward the building.
Hayden alternated his focus from the windows—looking for a shadow, a beam of light, or any movement inside—to the area where the truck was parked. They approached. An owl hooted from the trees, startling him.
