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She slid from the seat. She entwined her fingers with his.

He looked down and the desperate look on her face shattered his heart. “Lead the way.”

Zoey plunged into the woods dragging David along with her.

His flashlight illuminated her path. The twigs and bushes crunched under his feet. The poor girl had not had an easy escape.

She stopped and put her finger to her lips. “Shh. See that dirt road?”

He nodded.

“Take that to the right and the cabin is at the end.”

He handed Zoey off to Sandy and nodded to his partner and Rick.

Zoey jerked the tail of his jacket. “Be careful. I don’t want to lose you too.”

A lead ball dropped in the pit of his stomach. He rested his hand on her shoulders. “Don’t give up hope.”

She swallowed. “Okay.”

But he could tell, Zoey had already figured her mother was dead. He just hoped the girl was wrong.

The three of them spread out and marched up to the house.

He peered into the window beside the front door.

Adam nudged Jennie with the toe of his boot. A knife blade glinted in the low light of the cabin. “Come on, woman. Get up.” His voice boomed from inside the house.

Jennie struggled to lift her head. Her face, red and swollen. Her eyes, only slits.

David’s breath caught. He froze in place.Jennie.Her name came out as a whisper.

Anger boiled. He wanted to rip the man limb to limb, but he knew he had to pull it together. Jennie’s life depended on him doing his job.

He exhaled and spoke into his mic. “Hostage situation. Everyone in position?”

Affirmatives rang in his ear. He peered into the window once again.

Adam jerked Jennie from the floor and held her around the neck. The blade of the knife rested against her throat.

Lord, please don’t let me be too late.

David gave the signal and rushed in, weapon out and aimed at Adam. “Police.”

Brandon stood next to him. “Let her go, Adam.”

“Why that little brat! Thought she could save her mom, did she?” Spittle flew from his mouth. Adam’s arm tightened around Jennie’s neck. The silver blade pushed into her skin. Red droplets clung to the steel.

“Don’t do it!” David’s eyes never left Adam’s, but he could see Jennie struggling for air. Her fingers clawing at Adam’s forearm. Tears slid down her cheeks.

“Let her go.” Brandon’s voiced boomed from behind him.

“She’s mine. You’ll never have her.” Adam moved toward the hallway dragging Jennie with him. His eyes darted around the room like a caged animal.

“Come on now, Adam. Jennie was never yours.”

Something dark shuttered over Adam’s eyes. An evil smile curved on his lips. Then he kissed Jennie’s temple.