Page 41 of Once Vanished
“An abandoned municipal waterworks facility on the western outskirts of D.C.,” Hogue replied.“Been decommissioned for almost fifteen years.It’s a sprawling complex in ruins.”
“Perfect place for an ambush,” Bill muttered.
“Or for hiding a hostage,” Riley added.Was her daughter there now, scared and alone?Or was Leo holding Susan Martinez at that location instead?
“Tell me you’re not actually planning to go there alone,” Hogue said, his tone making it clear what he thought of that idea.
“Of course she’s not,” Bill answered before Riley could speak.“That’s off the table.”
Riley winced at how Bill seemed to make the decision for her.
Don’t react,she told herself.
With both of them this tired and anxious, she knew she had to fight down her impatience.
“We need to appear to follow his instructions,” she said.“If I don’t show up, whoever he’s holding dies.That’s not a bluff I’m willing to call.”
“So what are you suggesting?”Hogue asked.
“I go in alone,” Riley said, “but not unsupported.Bill and a SWAT team position themselves nearby—hidden, but close enough to intervene at the first sign of trouble.We secure the perimeter, cut off all escape routes.”
As they approached the edge of the woods.Riley could see the road ahead, their car a dark silhouette against the gravel shoulder.
“It’s still too risky,” Hogue argued.“He’ll be expecting exactly that kind of approach.”
“We don’t have time to plot anything more complicated,” Riley countered.“We need to be smarter than he expects, to control as many variables as we can.”
They reached the car, and Bill took the keys from Riley without discussion.She almost objected, but told herself that Bill was right.She was in no condition to drive.But was Bill?Their night without sleep, as well as the threat to those he considered family, was taking a toll on him as well.
“I’m dispatching SWAT to the location now,” Hogue said as they settled into the vehicle.“I’ll coordinate with local PD to establish a perimeter.But Paige—” His voice hardened.“Don’t even think about going in before backup is in place.”
“Understood,” Riley said, though a voice in the back of her mind whispered that she might not have the luxury of waiting if Jilly or Susan were in immediate danger.
Bill started the engine.“We’ll head straight there,” he told Hogue.“ETA approximately thirty minutes.”
“I’ve got aerial surveillance en route,” Hogue continued.“Should have eyes on the location in fifteen.I’ll update you with what we see.”
“Copy that,” Riley said.As Bill pulled onto the road and accelerated, she added, “Hogue, has there been any other contact from Leo?Any more demands?”
“Negative.He’s been silent since sending you those coordinates.”
The call ended, and silence filled the car.Riley stared out the window, watching the landscape blur past.
“You’re still thinking about the river,” Bill said quietly, not taking his eyes off the road.
“He wanted me to remember.He wanted me back in that moment, feeling everything I felt that night.”
“To destabilize you,” Bill said.
“That’s right.To make sure I’m operating from emotion rather than reason when I confront him.”She pressed her fingertips against her temples, trying to ease the building pressure there.“And it’s working.I feel like I’m walking underwater, Bill.Everything’s distorted.”
Bill was silent for a long moment.When he finally spoke, his tone was careful, measured.
“Maybe I should go in instead of you.”
Riley turned to look at him, finding his profile etched with concern.“What?”
“To the coordinates,” Bill clarified.“Leo asked for you specifically, but maybe we can—”