“Now, to update. The state cops have been called in. I just heard from Matt as you two got here.” He nodded to Brandon and Trace. “The DPS contingent has arrived on scene, and he’s with them, now. They’ve set up a command post just out of sight of the house—it’s at the corner of the next FM road off the highway east of ours.”
“We need to be there!” Rachel felt the heat of her men surrounding her. “I never would have guessed Buck would do something like this. He’s always hated Libby. I don’t know if she remembers, but because she wasn’t a boy, he really wanted nothing at all to do with her, right from the moment she was born. I had hoped that would change, but then she was diagnosed with leukemia…” She reached down and found her grit. “I don’t know what he’ll do, Adam, and I’m terrified out of my mind for both her and Bonnie. I don’t know who Buck Cosgrove is anymore.”
She saw regret in Adam’s eyes. “I have one more piece of information to give you. One of the older kids was standing by the large live oak in the park, there, and he saw the moment the girls went with Cosgrove. The boy was pretty sure the man had a gun in his hand. I’m not telling you that to scare you. I’m telling you that so you’ll understand. We can head on over there, but the state cops are in charge of the scene. You won’t be allowed close, not any of the six of you, until the scene has been secured.”
“I’m sniper qualified,” Brandon said.
“I’ll inform Clint Parrish of that. I believe he’s in charge of the ops.”
“I’ve got my SUV at the curb,” Clay said. “We’ll follow you.”
“Let Jillian and me know, Adam, when you have that son of a bitch in custody.” Jolene’s tone was soft, but there was no mistaking the titanium those words were locked in.
Adam nodded. “I will, Jolene. Okay, let’s go.”
Jolene reached out and grasped Rachel’s hand. “I’ll be praying,” she said.
“Thank you.”
Joe Grant arrived just as they were exiting the sheriff’s office. He and Peter got into the Dorchesters’ car.
Jake rode shotgun in Adam’s cruiser while Brandon and Trace had her between them in the back seat. With both her hands being held and the heat of their bodies warming hers, Rachel could let go of some of the panic that had filled her.
She would never forget that moment when she looked up and saw Adam Kendall coming into Lusty Appetites. She knew immediately something horrible had happened. All of the people she loved had been out of her sight, and she died a thousand deaths until Adam had told her what had happened.
She saw the gray Chevy that was parked at the side of the road, sitting at a tilt. There were a few police officers there, surrounding the vehicle, likely gathering evidence. Adam had said he’d stolen the car. She’d had no idea Buck could do any of these things.
Adam drove past the car, continuing on for just another couple of minutes.
“There’s Matt’s cruiser and the command center that Clint has set up.” Adam pulled the car to the side of the road. Rachel saw several cruisers and other cars. There was also what appeared to be a camping trailer—complete with a flat shade awning. Officers were gathered around. Some were sitting by a table, and some wore headsets. It looked like a large busy gathering of people.
“The house where Cosgrove is holding the girls is just over that rise, on the other side of that tree line. I can tell you, as standard operating procedure, that Clint will have sent a drone overhead equipped with a heat sensor—so they can know how many people are in the building. He also would have had someone move in, giving them eyes on the house and to make note if there’s any activity. Please stay by the car. I’ll find out what’s going on, and I’ll be right back.”
Trace helped her from the back seat. They were joined by the Dorchesters, and the six of them and Jake stood quietly, waiting.
She could see Matt waiting for his boss, and watched as Adam, Joe, and Peter shook hands with one of the state cops. They appeared to be having a serious conversation.
“Clint Parrish is a good cop and a friend of Adam’s,” Jake said.
“He is,” Gord Jessop said. “He’ll do right by us.”
She kept her gaze on Adam, Matt, and the two feds, even as Brandon wrapped his arms around her from behind and Trace laced the fingers of his left hand with her right. Time slowed to a crawl. She didn’t even realize she’d whimpered until Trace lifted her hand and kissed it.
She sighed and then looked over at the Dorchesters. They, too, were watching the scene play out. Clay and Gord held Tasha between them, and their focus was as intent as hers—as hers and her men’s.
Rachel tensed as Adam nodded then headed back toward them.
“The family that lives in the house Cosgrove is hiding in is away on vacation. That means we know exactly who’s in there. Parish has confirmed that the girls are inside, alive, and currently tied up and in a corner. Cosgrove is pacing, agitated. Parish has reached him via cell phone. The man was adamant. He wants two million dollars and safe passage, in exchange for the girls.”
“The man’s insane,” Rachel said.
“We think he’s headed in that direction.” Adam inhaled deeply. “Clint says you can come over to the command center. He’s getting the rest of his people in place.”
“They’re getting ready to carry out an assault on the house,” Brandon said.
“They are. But they’re going to try and talk Cosgrove out one last time, first. If he’s not lost it completely, they might be able to get him to give up. Come on. You’ll be able to hear the operation in
