Page 38 of Taken from Her (Phoenix Ridge Police Department #4)
Diana reached for her radio as the marina appeared ahead. "All units, this is Chief Marten. We have a rescue operation to plan."
The industrial waterfront spread before Diana's assembled team like a tactical map.
Diana stood beside the marine unit's boat, studying surveillance photos that confirmed their target.
The building Lavender's coded message had identified sat at the water's edge, accessible by boat channel and connected to escape routes that would challenge conventional police response.
But Diana's team wasn't conventional anymore.
"Thermal imaging shows four heat signatures," Angela reported, consulting her tablet. "Three are grouped together in what appears to be an office area, and one is isolated in a separate section that could be a holding space."
Diana's chest tightened. One isolated signature. Lavender, alone and waiting for rescue that had taken too long to arrive.
"Marine approach confirmed," Lieutenant Lindsay Fletcher said from the marine unit’s boat. "Channel depth allows us to reach the building's dock, but we'll be exposed during the final approach."
"Ground units?" Diana asked.
Julia checked her positioning map. "Two patrol units are securing perimeter roads, but the building's water access gives them significant escape advantages if they run."
Diana absorbed the assessment, recognizing the complexity of the operation. Her team was exhausted from the federal raids, running on reserves and determination rather than optimal readiness. But Lavender was counting on them, and she knew they wouldn’t let down her or Lavender.
"Communication intercepts?" Diana asked Morgan.
"Electronic chatter suggests they're planning to relocate in a few short hours," Morgan replied, monitoring banks of technical equipment. "We're operating within a narrow window before they move her to an unknown location."
Six-thirty a.m.
Forty minutes until sunrise would end their operational advantage. Time enough for rescue, but only if everything went perfectly. They had one chance at this.
Diana checked her gear one final time: tactical vest, communication equipment, and medical supplies for immediate trauma care. Around her, the team prepared with the focused efficiency of people who understood that failure meant losing someone essential to their professional family and community.
"What’s the federal coordination situation?" Diana asked.
"Agent Delacroix is standing by with backup units, but he's deferring to local command," Julia reported. "This is our operation."
Diana nodded. "Approach phase marine unit advances to building perimeter, ground units maintain containment positions, and technical support monitors all communications."
The boat moved through harbor water, the motor silent and morning mist providing natural concealment as they approached the target building. Diana positioned herself at the bow, weapon ready, mind focused on the requirements that would bring Lavender home alive.
"Perimeter secured," Lieutenant Lindsay Fletcher whispered through communications. "No external guards are visible, but electronic countermeasures are active."
Diana studied the building's structure, identifying entry points and potential resistance positions. Professional architecture suggested serious planning and resources, but also predictable patterns that tactical training could exploit.
"Breach in thirty seconds," Diana announced.
The team moved with synchronized precision: Angela leading tactical entry, Julia coordinating civilian safety protocols, and Morgan monitoring communications for intelligence about resistance or escape attempts.
Diana followed Angela through the breach point, weapon drawn, moving through a space that immediately confirmed their intelligence. Office equipment, surveillance monitors, and temporary furniture suggested an operational headquarters for the criminal network they'd been dismantling.
"Three suspects secured," Angela reported as tactical officers moved through the facility. "No weapons drawn, minimal resistance."
Diana pressed deeper into the building, following corridor layouts that led toward the isolated heat signature Morgan had identified. Each step brought her closer to either reunion or devastation.
A locked door marked with industrial signage. Diana tested the handle, found it locked, and gestured for Angela to bring the breach equipment.
"Lavender?" Diana called through the door.
"Diana!" Lavender's voice was laced with panic. "Are you really there?"
"Yeah, I’m here. Stand back from the door."
The lock yielded to tactical tools, and Diana pushed into the room. Lavender sat on a camping chair, unrestrained, looking tired but unharmed.
"Are you hurt?" Diana asked, holstering her weapon and moving toward her.
"No. They were..." Lavender paused, processing recent trauma while relief flooded her features. "Professional. They just wanted cooperation, not violence."
Diana reached Lavender and pulled her into an embrace that confirmed she was real, safe, and breathing. The weight of eighteen hours dissolved into overwhelming gratitude and the recognition that they'd survived the ultimate test of their partnership.
"Your message," Diana said against Lavender's hair. "The herbs, the morning light, the geographic coordinates. Brilliant."
"I knew you'd understand." Lavender's arms tightened around Diana. "I knew you'd find me."
Something essential clicked into place for Diana. Not just the successful conclusion of a rescue operation, but validation that intimate knowledge could become a tactical advantage when it came down to it.
"We need a medical assessment," Diana called to the EMTs who'd accompanied them. "She needs a full evaluation before transport."
As medical personnel began examining Lavender, Diana coordinated with her team to secure evidence and process the criminal operation they'd dismantled. Computer equipment, communication devices, and documentation would support federal prosecution of the trafficking network.
"All the suspects are in custody," Angela reported. "Evidence collection is in progress, and federal agents are coordinating transport and booking."
Diana remained with Lavender during the medical evaluation, her presence providing reassurance while her mind processed the magnitude of what they'd accomplished together. Her professional excellence was validated through personal stakes, even under extreme pressure.
"Chief," Morgan approached with her laptop. "Electronic evidence suggests this was the network's command center. Financial records, communication logs, and operational planning were all here, and we have everything we need to prosecute the remaining organization."
Julia came up to her. "Community notifications are already going out that we’ve infiltrated the headquarters and have dismantled them. All of Phoenix Ridge is celebrating."
Diana helped Lavender into the ambulance to go to the hospital for medical care. Around them, Phoenix Ridge awakened to news that their safety had been restored through law enforcement cooperation and community partnership.
"The federal operation?" Lavender asked as the ambulance moved through morning streets.
"Successful. Tara, Isabel, and Joanna are all safe." Diana squeezed Lavender's hand. "The trafficking network is dismantled."
"And us?"
Diana looked at the woman who'd taught her that professional excellence and personal connection could strengthen each other rather than compete. "We proved that love makes everything better, not worse."
The ambulance approached Phoenix Ridge General Hospital where Dr. Hassan waited with medical staff prepared for a thorough trauma assessment.
Behind them, the industrial district receded into morning light while ahead lay recovery, healing, and the future they'd earned through surviving the ultimate test together.
Diana's radio crackled with routine traffic as Phoenix Ridge returned to normal operations. But nothing would be routine anymore. They'd proven that community policing, collaborative investigation, and personal investment could overcome any threat designed to tear them apart.
The woman beside her had taught an entire police department that caring about people made them better at protecting everyone.
Now they had the rest of their lives to build on that foundation.