Page 42 of Once Vanished
“No,” Riley interrupted firmly.“He’d be furious.And whoever he’s holding would pay the price.”
“You’re not exactly at your best right now,” Bill pointed out gently.“After what he made you relive at the river—”
“We’re both tired, Bill,” Riley said, more sharply than she meant to.“You’re not at your best either.”
A silence fell between them.
“I’m sorry,” she said.“I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.”
“I know,” Bill said.“But this is part of his game—to get us at odds with each other.We can’t let him get the best of us.”
Riley knew Bill was right.But maintaining her own composure was becoming harder with every passing moment.
They rounded a bend in the road and encountered a convoy of three unmarked SUVs heading in their direction—part of the team Hogue had dispatched toward the location by the river.Bill flashed his headlights, and the lead vehicle slowed, pulling to the side of the road.Bill brought their car to a stop alongside it.
The driver’s window of the SUV lowered, revealing Agent Siobhan Gleason at the wheel.“Agent Paige, Agent Jeffreys,” she nodded.“Agent Hogue briefed us.We’re heading to the waterworks now.”
“We’ll be right behind you,” Bill replied.“Hogue’s coordinating with local PD for perimeter control.”
“Understood.”Gleason’s gaze shifted to Riley, her expression professional but her eyes betraying concern.“Agent Paige, are you...cleared for this operation?”
The question, diplomatic as it was, stung.Riley straightened in her seat.“I’m fine, Agent Gleason.Let’s just focus on bringing this to a swift conclusion.”
Gleason nodded, then raised her window.The convoy pulled back onto the road, executing a tight U-turn before speeding toward the waterworks.Bill waited for them to pass, then fell in behind the last vehicle.
“She didn’t mean anything by it,” Bill said after a moment.“Everyone’s on edge.”
The remainder of the drive passed in tense silence.As they approached the outskirts of the city, industrial landscapes replaced rural ones—abandoned warehouses, scattered machinery, chain-link fences topped with rusted barbed wire.
Finally, Bill turned onto a narrow access road partially overgrown with weeds.A faded sign warned “CITY PROPERTY – NO TRESPASSING,” its lettering barely visible beneath years of graffiti and weather damage.
The old waterworks facility loomed ahead—a sprawling complex of brick and concrete structures spread across several acres.The main building, a massive edifice with towering windows and an imposing central tower, was flanked by cylindrical water tanks, their metal surfaces corroded to a mottled orange-brown.Beyond them, a network of smaller buildings and underground access points dotted the landscape, connected by crumbling walkways and the ghosts of once-functional infrastructure.
Bill pulled to a stop beside the other FBI vehicles, already parked in a concealed position behind a derelict storage building.Agents moved efficiently, donning tactical gear and checking weapons.A portable command center was being established in one of the SUVs, communications equipment being set up with swift precision.Riley exchanged glances with Ann Marie, who was here with the rest of the team.Riley’s young partner and protégé looked concerned about her.Riley wished they could talk for just a few moments, but now was no time for pleasantries.
“SWAT’s positioning around the perimeter,” Agent Clark Jenson informed them as they approached.“We’ve got snipers taking high ground positions, but visibility inside the main building will be limited.”
“What about thermal imaging?”Bill asked.
“Working on it,” Jenson replied, “but the concrete walls are thick.Readings are inconclusive.”
Riley surveyed the facility, her eyes drawn to the main building.According to the coordinates Leo had sent, that’s where she’d find him—and whoever he was holding.
“I need a comm unit,” she said, turning back to Jenson.“To call you in if I need you.And a vest.”
As they equipped her, Riley listened to the tactical briefing, her mind cataloging entry points, potential hazards, escape routes.She absorbed the information methodically, professionally—a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil still churning beneath her calm exterior.
“We’ve been trying to get blueprints for the building, but it’s taking time we don’t have,” Jenson said.“This place shut down so long ago, records are hard to come by.All we’ve got is the GPS signal, and you’ve got that on your cellphone”
“Then I’ll just have to follow it as well as I can.”
“Something else is worrying me,” Hogue said.“Surely he knows what we’re up to.”
“Probably,” Riley said.“He probably planned for it.Even so, we’ve got to make sure he doesn’t get away.”
Riley checked her weapon one last time, then tucked it into her holster.“I’m ready.”
Bill moved closer, his voice low, meant only for her.“Be careful,” he said.