Page 16 of Twilight Tactics

“Got it.” Every resident signed a clause stating staff could enter if there was an emergency.

Maya zipped her coat, and Elena grabbed hers from the back of the kitchen chair. “I’m racking my brain trying to think who it could be,” Maya said, “but I’m coming up empty.”

“We have sixteen cabins, some with double occupancy, the barn, the equipment—” She broke off. “Well, I don’t have to tell you. It’s going to take a minute to search all of that.”

“I know. Pass out all the radios, make sure people are partnered up, and let’s get started.”

Elena pulled on her hat and hurried after Maya out the door. “This is a new one,” she said.

Maya sighed and aimed her steps toward the barn. “It was bound to happen at some point if it’s someone having a PTSD moment. The kind that makes you want to run because everyone’s the enemy.”

“So you don’t feel so trapped you fight back.”

“Yeah. And I could be wrong, but we have to know for sure.” She frowned. “That hat Sully found. I can’t think of one resident who has a tactical cap.”

Elena shook her head. “I haven’t seen one since I’ve been here.” But shehadseen them before. But ... no. It couldn’t be. Could it?

They walked into the barn, and Maya punched in the code for the office door. She snagged three radios from the shelf and handed them to Elena. “Channel six. Keep the volume on low. There’s no need to alarm anyone if we don’t have to. Get a golf cart. We have a lot of ground to cover.”

Elena nodded and darted back out the door, then headed to the dock overlooking the lake. Jim Small liked the water. She sighed in relief when she spotted him in his chair, fishing line bobbing in the gentle waves.

“Hey, Jim,” she said, her voice soft.

He gave a slight jerk, then looked over his shoulder at her. “Hey, kiddo, what’s up?”

“We’re having a bit of excitement today. Have you seen a young woman around here who doesn’t look like she belongs?”

He frowned. “No. Why?”

“Someone was on the property and she ran when approached. We just need to know who she is.”

He stood. “You need help looking?”

“That’s not why I’m here. It’s not what you signed on for when you decided to come here. I won’t ask.”

“You don’t have to. I’m offering.”

Jim Small was in his early forties and suffered severe PTSD. But he’d come a long way over the last two months. “Maya will kill me if you have a setback,” she said.

A ghost of a smile curved his lips. “It’s just looking for a woman on the property, right?”

“Yes.”

“I think I can handle it. If I have a setback, I have one. I have ‘tools’”—he air quoted—“in my kit now to deal with triggering situations that I didn’t have before. I’d like to help. No time like the present to see if everything I’ve been learning is helpful in the real world.”

“Then here.” She passed him a radio set to channel six, along with the comms earbud. “Take a stroll around the lake and let us know if you see anyone. Please don’t confront her alone. We have no idea if she’s armed.”

His eyes flashed with something like ... excitement? He nodded. “Got it.”

He left and the comms in her ear buzzed. “Elena, anything?” The voice was Maya’s.

“I found Jim Small. Gave him a radio and comms. He wants to help.”

Maya went silent for a moment, and Elena grimaced, wondering if the woman would be upset with her.

“Good,” Maya said. “He’ll be an asset.”

“Appreciate the vote of confidence.” Jim’s voice came through loud and clear.