Chapter 19 #2
“No, not yet. We don’t want to give them that kind of heads-up.
It’s risky enough with all of us. I can’t believe we haven’t encountered anyone yet.
” In fact, it was downright weird. That really felt off.
“We’re continuing to the clearing where we believe Elena was headed.
I’ll drop a location pin as soon as I get there.
Assuming you can get it. The fact that the radios are working is a real plus. ”
“Copy that. And be careful. Elena was right about one thing. These preppers don’t take kindly to law enforcement on their land.”
“Understood.” That was okay. It wasn’t like they would be the first people he ran across who didn’t like him or his profession.
The path narrowed as they approached a ridge.
The trees thinned. Sully’s mind flipped through scenarios, none of them good.
Elena had walked into a trap—he was certain of it.
The note about her father and sister wanting out was too convenient, coming right after they’d learned about the connection between the preppers and Bellini’s people.
Yeah, he wasn’t buying it.
But she’d wanted it so bad, she’d let herself be convinced.
“Hold up.” Jim raised his hand, stopping the group. He pointed. “Horse tracks veer off here. She dismounted.”
“Found Harley.” David pointed through the trees to where a dark shape stood partially hidden behind a fallen log. “Looks like she tied him up over there.”
Sully dismounted and approached the horse, who nickered softly in recognition.
Harley’s reins were loosely tied to a branch, giving him enough slack to graze.
Sully ran a hand down the horse’s neck. “She expected to come back for you, didn’t she?
” he murmured. “But knew we’d find you if she didn’t.
” The fact that Harley was still here terrified him.
The rest dismounted, and Jim examined the ground around the horse. “Tracks lead that way.” He pointed toward a narrow game trail. “She was being cautious.”
They moved forward, weapons drawn. The forest grew quieter as dusk settled around them. No birds called. No squirrels rustled in the branches. Just the sound of their own breathing and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot.
The trail opened into the clearing they’d been looking for. It looked exactly the same. The firepit in the center, the logs arranged in a rough circle, the trees providing cover on all sides. But it was empty.
“Spread out,” Sully said. “Look for any sign of her.”
The men dismounted, securing their horses along the trail, and moved in different directions, scanning the ground. Sully approached the firepit. Cold ashes lay undisturbed. No fire today.
“Over here.” Jim’s voice cut through the silence. He stood at the edge of the clearing, examining the ground. “Three sets of tracks right here. Only two leaving. These are the same tracks of persons one and two, but two’s are now deeper.”
Sully looked at him. “Like they were carrying someone?”
“Yeah, just like that.”
“Two people were waiting for her,” Jim continued. “One heavier—likely a man. The other smaller, probably a woman.”
“Her father and sister?” David asked.
Sully shook his head. “Or someone pretending to be them. Who knows?”
Jim traced the path of the footprints with his finger. “They stood here talking for a while. See how the dirt is disturbed in a small area? Then—” He moved a few feet away. “Something happened here. This area is more churned up.”
“Which direction did they go?” Sully asked, though he already knew the answer.
Jim pointed east. “Toward the prepper compound.”
Sully pulled out his radio. “Sheriff, we’ve found evidence Elena was taken. Tracks lead toward the prepper compound. We need that tactical team now.”
“They’re on their way to your position,” Donovan replied.
“Tell them to hurry.” Sully clipped the radio back to his belt. “Jim, can you follow these tracks?”
The tracker nodded. “It’ll be harder and slower in the dark, but yeah.”
“Then we do what we can.” Sully turned to David. “Do you mind having someone go back for Harley, leave him with the other horses? We might need him later.”
“On it.” David signaled to one of the ranch hands, and the man headed back toward where they’d left the horse.
Sully checked his weapon. The other agents and officers did the same. Then Sully nodded to Jim. “Lead the way.”
They followed the tracks through thickening forest, flashlights lighting the way. Jim moved with slow purpose, stopping to examine broken twigs or disturbed ground.
“They weren’t trying to hide their trail,” he said. “They were moving fast, probably confident no one would follow immediately.”
“Or they wanted us to follow,” Sully said. “To lead us into a trap. Probably aren’t expecting all of us, though.”
“Possible.” Jim knelt to examine something on the ground. “They’re on horses now. One of them was carrying a lot more weight than the other if I’m reading the tracks right. My guess is, they knocked her out and had to carry her to the horses.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.” Sully’s jaw tightened. “Elena wouldn’t want to go back to the compound. She’d fight them every step of the way. Unconscious is the only way they’d get her back there.”
Jim nodded and stood. “Trail continues this way.”
They pressed on. The temperature dropped as night settled in fully.
The radio crackled again. “Sullivan, this is Agent Martinez. My team is at the clearing. What’s your position?”
Sully pulled out the radio, thankful it was still working. “About half a mile east of the clearing, following tracks toward the compound. We have evidence Elena Thompson was possibly taken against her will.”
“Copy that. We’re moving to your position. Hold until we arrive.”
Sully hesitated. Every minute they waited was another minute Elena was in danger. But rushing in without backup would be foolish.
“Acknowledged. We’ll hold position.” He put the radio on the clip. “We’re coming, Elena,” he whispered. “Hold on.”
Ten minutes later, shadows moved through the trees. Agent Martinez and his tactical team—six men and two women in full gear—materialized like ghosts in the darkness. Behind them came Donovan, two of his deputies, and officers from a neighboring town. They split into two teams, ready for orders.
“Sullivan.” Martinez nodded in greeting. “I think I’ve been fully briefed at this point, so no need to waste any more time. Let’s go.”
“We believe she’s been taken to the prepper compound,” Sully said. “Likely by her father or someone claiming to be him.”
“And this compound is connected to Bellini’s organization?” Martinez asked.
“Yes. Through LaVoy Hawthorne, Bellini’s cousin. He’s using the preppers as muscle and providing them with weapons and equipment in return.”
Martinez nodded. “Our intel suggests the compound is about a mile ahead. Approximately thirty structures, unknown number of occupants. They’ll have lookouts.”
“And possibly military-grade weapons,” Sully added. “They’ve been using signal jammers and had attack drones.”
“Yeah, that’s what we were told.” Martinez turned to his team. “Alpha team, you’re with me and Sullivan. We approach from the west. Bravo team, circle around to the north, find a position with eyes on the compound. No engagement unless authorized or in immediate danger.”
They all nodded, checking their weapons and comms, and Bravo team moved out.
“What about us?” Jim asked.
Martinez studied him. “You’ve been helpful, but this is now a federal operation. Local law enforcement is helping with backup, so I think we’re good on this end. I need you to return to the ranch and take the horses with you. We’ll get rides back with SWAT or the local LEOs.”
Jim looked to Sully, who nodded reluctantly. “He’s right. This is about to get dangerous.”
“More dangerous than drone attacks?” Jim asked with a wry look.
“Different kind of dangerous,” Sully said. “Please. Go back. Tell Maya and the others what’s happening. And keep an eye on Ollie, make sure she’s protected.” A team of agents would be guarding her, but extra eyes never hurt.
Jim nodded. “Good luck.” David and his men joined Jim and the ranch hands as they melted back into the darkness, heading toward the horses.
Martinez turned to Sully. “Ready?”
“Copy that.” Sully checked his weapon one last time. “Let’s go get her.” Sully stayed close to Martinez, his senses on high alert.
After twenty minutes of careful movement, Sully held up his hand. The team froze. Through the trees ahead, lights glowed—the prepper compound.
Martinez motioned two men forward to scout. They disappeared into the underbrush, silent as shadows. The rest of the team took defensive positions, waiting.
Sully’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, expecting another text from Maya or the sheriff.
Instead, an unknown number flashed on the screen. A text message appeared.
We have Eleanor Higgins. Leave our land now or she dies.