Page 103 of Twilight Tactics

“That’s where she’ll be,” Sully said. “Isolated, imprisoned.” His heart squeezed at the thought of Elena, the woman who loved the outdoors and being free, trapped like an animal.

The drone moved closer to the small building, dropping altitude for a better view. “Just that one guard at the entrance,” Sinclair reported. “And those two heat signatures inside are in separate rooms or cells.”

“One of those has to be Elena,” Sully said.

A flash appeared on the screen, followed by static.

“What happened?” Martinez demanded.

Sinclair tapped the screen, then gave a grunt and shook her head. “Someone shot it down. Signal’s gone.”

“They’re watching for surveillance,” Donovan said. “Probably have designated spotters. Hope that doesn’t get her killed.”

Sully ignored the words. He couldn’t think that way. He turned aside, processing what they’d seen. Thankfully, they hadsomeintel now—the general layout, the likely location where Elena was being held, and confirmation that the compound was on high alert.

“At least we know where to focus,” Martinez said. “But a frontal assault is still too risky.”

“We need someone on the inside,” Sully said.

“Infiltration?” Martinez looked skeptical. “How are you thinking to manage that?”

“Not all of us. Just one of us.”

“Who?” Donovan asked.

“Me,” Sully said.

Martinez crossed his arms. “How are you planning to do that?”

“I don’t know.” Sully had the vague rudiments of a plan in his head but wasn’t sure about the details. And details were important. “Two people know me. Spencer Barnes and a woman by the name of Lindy Grace. Spencer is on the run with a BOLO out on him. We don’t know that he didn’t return here, but since he was spotted at a convenience store one county over, headed in the opposite direction of thesemountains, I think it’s an educated guess that he’s not there. Lindy Grace might recognize me, but she seemed sympathetic to Elena. She might help me.”

“You want to take that chance?”

“I don’t think we have a choice. We’ve already spent too much time debating this. We need a plan, and this is the best I think we’ve got.”

21

Elena traced her fingers along the cold metal frame of the cot, mentally mapping everything she knew of this building. Her wrist still ached where the airbag had hit it during the car crash, but the pain sharpened her focus.

She thought about the faint buzzing sound that had caught her attention. Had to have been about thirty minutes ago. She suspected a drone. And when the gunshot sounded, hope had blossomed. They’d only shoot down a drone that didn’t belong to them. Which meant Sully and backup?

Oh, please, God, let it be Sully and otheragents.

“Hey,” the teen whispered from the adjacent cell. “You still there?”

“I’m here.” Elena kept her tone calm and quiet. “What’s your name? How long have you been here?”

“Maria.” A pause. “Been here three days. My dad caught me with a radio.”

Unbelievable. “Listen, Maria. Whatever happens, remember who you are. They’ll try to make you forget.”

“Yeah, well, it might just work. I want out of here so bad. I don’t think I can stand another day of this.” A sob rippedfrom the girl’s throat, and Elena had to shut down the fury at the people who thought this was okay. But once she got out, she’d go straight to the authorities and make her report of all of it. With so many crimes happening and her eyewitness testimony, they’d have to do something, wouldn’t they? “It’s okay, Maria. If I can get out of here, do you want to come with me?”

“You mean leave the mountain?”

“Yes.”

“I ... I don’t know. I don’t really know any other place.”