Chapter 26
Backed up by the Mina-led SWAT team, and with Gabe at her side, El focused her binoculars on the decommissioned boathouse on the far side of Lost Lake.
Hayden had easily located the dilapidated structure owned by Trent.
The building looked like it might fall down at any time.
El imagined Lucy being held captive inside, and her stomach clenched.
“I thought housing her in that cabin was bad, but this…” El lowered her binoculars and shook her head. “Can’t see anything inside. I need to get closer.”
“You mean we,” Gabe said, his tone insistent.
“Only one person should approach the building for recon. Lessens the chance of being seen.” She met his gaze. “We’re lucky Mina didn’t have SWAT take over and you and I are still taking lead. Let’s not give her a reason to force us out.”
“That makes sense, but if Lucy’s in there, I’m going in. SWAT or no SWAT. Mina’s approval or not. I won’t do anything to jeopardize the potential prosecution of this creep, but I won’t hang back either.”
“Understood,” she said as she knew this was the best she could hope for with Gabe’s surging adrenaline and desire to find Lucy. “As long as it’s something we can successfully carry out ourselves. If I think SWAT needs to handle it, then we both stay back.”
He opened his mouth to argue.
She lifted a hand. “I need you to respect my decisions, Gabe. No matter how much you want to be the one to rescue her, we have to do what’s right to ensure nothing bad happens to her.”
He released a long breath. “I can’t argue with that. Make sure you stay in our line of sight at all times. Remember, we have a future planned together, and I don’t want you risking your life.”
“And here I thought I was the one who would have to tell you that.” She squeezed his arm then scooted to Mina to share her plan, which she quickly approved.
“It’s go-time,” El whispered as she slipped past Gabe.
She drew her weapon and crept forward, staying low behind tall grasses swaying in the stiff breeze. This property was so different from the hilly forest where they’d just been. Flat land. A sharp April breeze blowing off the water. The smell devoid of pine but saturated by a strong fishy odor.
She slipped behind a nearby tree, the thick trunk giving her cover as she lifted her binoculars to scan the area. She’d already spotted the boat at the end of a crumbling dock. No one in it. Likely the boat Lucy’s captor had brought her in, but El had to remain aware of it in case she was wrong.
She scanned one more time. No movement. No sound. No light. The way was clear.
The last ten feet were paved with an old crumbling brick patio. She wanted to rush over it, but couldn’t risk losing her footing, so she inched up to the building. A small cracked window could give her the insight they needed.
She took a moment to catch her breath from the adrenaline rush, then raised up. Took a quick glance. Darkness, illuminated only by a shadowy light in the corner of the dry end. The only sound was water lapping against the building.
She dropped back down. Gulped in air. Rose up for a longer look. There, near the light. A shape. She squinted to make it out. A child. Red hair.
Lucy. Curled up on a small cot.
El’s heart soared. She wanted to revel in it.
Revel in how happy Gabe would be. But she was on a mission and had to focus.
She continued scanning the space. Found a gruff-looking man but one who didn’t fit Nurse Armstrong’s description, lying on top of a sleeping bag on the floor.
They must’ve changed her guard after the cabin.
He was staring at the ceiling, and Lucy was sound asleep. He’d placed his rifle under Lucy’s cot. It would take a moment for him to reach the weapon. Enough time for them to gain control of him without a shootout? Maybe.
She had a decision to make. A big one. Did they go forward to free Lucy, potentially risking her life? To send in SWAT, who in their tactical gear could scare her even more than the terrible trial she’d already endured, and still risk her life?
El searched the rest of the shadowy room, looking for other people and a less dangerous option to rescue Lucy. The boathouse was empty, and the nearby door was the best entrance, but she didn’t have to send in the SWAT team to scare Lucy.
Finally. Finally! They found her. Alive.
Tears threatened to block El’s view. She couldn’t let that happen. She willed them to stop and started back as silently as she could.
She reached Gabe and dropped down next to him. “Keep your voice under control, but Lucy’s inside. She’s alive.”
His mouth flashed open, but before he could utter a sound, he clamped a hand over it, his eyes wide and sparkling.
She took his free hand. Bowed her head. “Thank You Father. Thank You for keeping Lucy alive. Now, let us safely bring her home where she belongs. Amen.”
“Amen,” Gabe said with a shaky voice. “And praise Your holy name.”
El squeezed his hand and shared her plan with Mina for approval.
Minutes later, El followed the same route back to the building, this time leading Gabe behind her. Her adrenaline before had sent her heart thumping, but now it raced beyond her imagination. Exactly the same as when she realized Victoria hadn’t just wandered off.
This rescue was different. This rescue wouldn’t end the same way. Maybe this was El’s opportunity to prove herself. To redeem herself. Either way, God had really made His wishes clear to her. He didn’t want her to hold on to any guilt, and she had to let it go to have a full life.
They reached the building. She stepped to the side of the entrance, so Gabe could grab the door handle. It was a single handle with a thumb latch. All he had to do was press down and pull it open.
She nodded at him and he jerked it open, quickly moving out of the way.
Gun outstretched, she charged over the threshold. “Police! Don’t move.”
She lunged for the man who’d come to a sitting position. She pushed him back down and put her gun to his heart. “Go ahead and move. Give me a reason to use this.”
He blinked up at her, his eyes wide, and he didn’t so much as move a muscle.
Gabe raced past her and swept Lucy into his arms. “Sweetie, sweetie, sweetie. It’s Gabe. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
“Gabe!” she cried out in her high little voice. “I knew if Mommy couldn’t come, God would send you.”
“Of course He did, but I’m sorry it took so long.”
El couldn’t risk looking at them to enjoy the reunion. She remained in place, weapon and attention fixed on the suspect, but leaned down to her mic. “We’re clear. Would appreciate help cuffing the suspect.”
Mina charged in, swept the place with her gaze, then put the suspect in her crosshairs. “Way to execute your plan.”
El didn’t take any time to revel in her praise but sat back and nudged the suspect. “On your face. Now!”
He complied, and El holstered her weapon, then slapped handcuffs on the guy. She heard Gabe explain to Lucy that he was taking her outside where the SWAT team was waiting, and she shouldn’t let all of their gear scare her. They were here to help them.
“I’m brave, and I have you,” she said, sounding very confident of herself. “I won’t be afraid.”
Her sweet voice might have rung with courage, but where would that courage be when she learned her mother had been killed? How would Gabe tell her? El would like to be there to help him if he wanted her to, but it would all be up to him.
Gabe made his way around the suspect but paused at the doorway. “I’ll take Lucy directly to the ambulance. Meet us at the hospital so I can thank you properly.”
“Nothing could stop me,” she said, looking up at him. “You can count on that.”
Gabe pressed Lucy’s face away from the SWAT team as he crossed the brick and entered the path toward the hill where the ambulance waited.
Despite Lucy’s protest of not being afraid, her trembling fingers twisted in his shirt, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts.
Anger for the men who did this to her grew until he thought he might explode with it.
Didn’t matter. He could do nothing about it now. Not with Lucy in his arms. Still, he would make sure they paid, but for now, Lucy was his priority.
Being careful not to tangle his feet in the thick grass encroaching the path, he picked up speed, murmuring over and over again, “It’s okay, sweetie. I’ve got you.”
She’d actually stopped trembling by the time they’d reached the end of the path leading up the hill to the ambulance.
“Stop! Or I shoot the kid.” The familiar voice cut through the air like a blade.
Gabe froze. He could do nothing else. They’d moved too far away from SWAT for them to see or hear what Trent had said.
“What are you doing here, Trent?” Gabe yelled. “Do you really have a gun or are you bluffing?” He made sure his voice carried over the wind and prayed SWAT heard his questions.
“That’s the bad man.” Lucy’s fingers dug deeper into his shirt. “I heard him when he made Mommy hurt lots. A big hurt. And then he took me away and told his friends to keep me in scawy places.”
Gabe slowly faced Trent to stop Lucy from having to look at him. “Are you sure, sweetie?”
“Yes. I didn’t like him. He was mean.”
“This is the last time he’ll get near you, I promise.” Gabe would die trying to keep this psychopath’s hands off Lucy, but wouldn’t say it aloud and scare her.
Instead, he held her tighter and pressed his hand over her ear, so she didn’t have to hear anything that was about to happen.
Trent stepped into view, handgun raised, black-clad silhouette sharp against the sky. He’d locked his eyes and gun on the child.
“Put her down,” he called. “Or I swear I’ll kill her.”
“I can’t let you take her, Trent.” Gabe filled his voice with confidence. “You know that.”
“Don’t even think of running,” Trent shouted, his anger growing. “I’ll pick her off before you can move.”