Page 79 of Twilight Tactics

Ollie plunged into the tree line, putting distance between herself and the jail. The sliver of a moon provided just enough light to navigate her way through the forest. She could see the road running parallel to her path, and as long as she didn’t lose sight of it, she’d eventually be able to come out near the ranch.

But for now, staying hidden mattered most.

The wind picked up, and she pulled the scarf up over her mouth and nose. The ranch had to be at least ten miles away. Maybe more. But she’d paid close attention during the drive and could see the route in her head.

Ollie quickened her pace, pushing herself, checking her route with the faint glow of the streetlamps. She needed to put distance between her and the jail before Piper realized she’d gone.

Piper had betrayed her. Someone was coming for her at 8:00 a.m.

The numbers cycled through her head—ten miles, just two hours until dawn, one chance to warn Sully and Elena. The math was simple. It was an either-or situation.

Keep moving or die trying.

16

Sully added another full canteen to Elena’s already full pack that she’d dropped on the barn floor. He’d watched while she checked and double-checked her supplies. The backpack would be heavy, but if she was going to be gone a couple of days, she’d need everything in it.

The barn’s overhead lights cast long shadows across the concrete floor. “I’m going in with you.”

Elena shook her head. “I know these people, Sully. They’ll talk to me. If I’m alone. If they see you, they’ll just react like they did last time. No, you can’t come in with me.”

“Then I’ll stay behind you. Out of sight as long as possible.” He scowled at her stubbornness. “Don’t you get it? These are the same people who put bombs around the ranch perimeter. Who shot at us with drones. Who probably tried to run us off the road on the way back from the pharmacy.” He stepped closer. “You really think I’d let you walk into that alone?”

“I can handle myself.” She held her hand out for her backpack, but he held on to it. She planted her hand on her hip. “Look, I don’t think it was them. At least not all of them. A select few maybe, but not people like Lindy Grace. I’ll be okay.”

“And what if it’s that select few that you run into? What then?” His hand covered hers, stilling her movements. “We’re partners in this now.”

The barn door burst open. Piper rushed in, her face ashen.

“Ollie’s gone.” She stopped, breathing hard. “Chris said he checked on her and she was sleeping—or close to it. He went to the conference room to watch the news. We were taking turns, and when I checked thirty minutes later, she was gone. Chris and I searched all over and no trace of her. And I couldn’t call because you guys don’t have a signal and now she could be anywhere.”

The words hit like a physical blow. “What happened? Where’s Chris? Did someone grab her at the jail?” Sully dropped Elena’s pack.

“He’s out looking for her. I didn’t want to take time to explain to him how to get here. While he’s searching, I came to tell you. I called the sheriff on the way here, then stopped at the house looking for you, so I told Maya and Gideon. They’re going to help.” Piper ran a hand through her disheveled hair. “The bathroom window was open. I think she climbed out. But ... why would she do that? She knows the danger she’s facing.”

Elena abandoned her gear. “How long has she been missing?”

“No idea, but Chris last saw her an hour ago by now. As soon as we realized she was gone, I headed straight here.”

Sully calculated. An hour. If Ollie was on foot, she couldn’t have gotten far. But in these mountains, with the temperatures dropping ... “We need search teams. Now.” He strode toward the door.

“I’m helping.” Elena followed close behind.

“What about your sister?”

“Frank said she wasn’t leaving until tomorrow, so I have some time.”

“All right then.”

Maya and Gideon met them outside the barn, both in jackets against the evening chill. “I heard. I’ve got everyone back to the main house,” Maya said. “David can start organizing teams.” She spun and hurried back the way she’d come, with Gideon on her heels.

Sully raked a hand over his head and tried to push all the self-blame aside. The memories that wanted to paralyze him.

Think about Ollie.

It didn’t take long to set everything in motion. In the main house, David stood by a large map spread across the dining table, marking sectors with a red marker. Sheriff Donovan, looking like he’d just rolled out of bed, stood nearby along with three deputies.

“We’ve got fourteen official people ready to search,” David said as they entered. “Some of the vets are volunteering too. I’ve assigned sectors based on terrain difficulty. I alerted as many officers as I could on the way here, and they’re passing the word as well.”