Page 87 of Enigma

“I hate that we had to leave those people.” Jason’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, regret saturating his voice.

“So do I. But we can’t help them if we’re dead.” Olive looked at him, noting the tension in his jaw. “How are you doing? About your father?”

“I have no idea what we’re going to find,” Jason admitted. “Trick sounded . . . I don’t know. Urgent, but not panicked. I can’t tell if that’s good or bad.”

As they turned onto the county road that led to the ranch house, Olive’s stomach clenched with apprehension.

The house appeared just ahead.

But as they approached, Olive realized something was wrong.

The house was completely dark, and she didn’t see any vehicles in the driveway.

What had happened since they’d last talked to Trick?

A sick feeling swirled in her stomach.

“Where is everyone?” Jason pulled to a stop where they’d left the other team members.

Their vehicle was gone, and the house looked abandoned.

No lights, no movement, no sign that Trick, Tevin, and Nova had ever been there.

“This doesn’t feel right.” Olive’s hand moved instinctively to her weapon.

Jason tried his radio. “Trick, Tevin, Nova, do you copy?”

Nothing but static.

“Maybe they moved inside when they found Lloyd,” Mitzi suggested, but her voice carried doubt.

Olive stared at the house, a bad feeling brewing in her gut. In the space of an hour, they’d witnessed a horrific trafficking operation and now their teammates had vanished without explanation.

“You guys,” she started. “I think we need to consider the possibility that the radio call was a trap.”

“You think someone forced Trick to make that call?”

“I think we need to assume the worst and hope for the best.” Olive checked her weapon. “Which means we’re going into that house expecting trouble.”

CHAPTER 57

As they approached the house, Olive’s breath caught.

The front door stood slightly ajar.

Not a good sign.

Mitzi drew her weapon and motioned for Olive and Jason to stay behind her as they approached.

The house was completely silent.

They moved through each room—living room, kitchen, bedrooms, even checking closets and bathrooms.

The house was empty, but there were clear signs that people had been there recently. Coffee cups were still warm on the kitchen counter, and the scent of body odor lingered in the air.

“They left in a hurry.” Mitzi continued to scan the house. “Or they were forced to leave.”

Guilt crushed down on Olive’s chest.