“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Jessie said quietly. “No proof.”
And Lord, Kendra didn’t want to jump to that particular conclusion. It was difficult to imagine Lynch helpless, at anyone’s mercy, dragged anywhere against his will. But at least if Lynch had been a captive here, there was evidence he’d still been alive.
“If we can get Fitz on the phone, I bet he could have a swarm of guys crawling all over this place in no time,” Jessie suggested.
Kendra shook her head. “Fitz is too busy dealing with his own team’s problems right now. Besides, even if Lynch was here, we don’t know if he’s still around. The mud around those footprints is dry and cracking. It’s days old.”
Jessie pointed to a path that would take them to the other side of the building. “Then let’s get closer.”
They ducked low as they moved through the tall grass. They finally hit a tiny parking lot with tufts of weeds sticking upthrough gaps in the gravel. There was a single rear door, wide open, and a pair of broken windows next to it.
“I don’t think anyone has been here for a while,” Kendra said. She inspected the windows from a vantage point about thirty feet away. “Are you seeing this?”
Jessie was now using her binoculars. “Those window breaks are fresh. There’s almost no dust on the edges.”
Kendra moistened her lips. “That’s not what I was referring to. I was talking about that disturbing splatter on what’s left of the other window.”
Jessie adjusted the focus knob on the binoculars. “Shit. Is that . . . blood?”
Kendra stood. “That’s what it looks like from here. I’m going in.”
Jessie grabbed her arm. “The hell you are.”
“It looks deserted. There probably isn’t anyone in there.”
“Then wait here. Let me go inside.”
“No, don’t be ridiculous. If someone’s waiting to ambush one of us, it’s better for you to be out here. You’re a trained soldier. If it’s left to one of us to mount a counteroffensive or go get help, we both know you stand a much better chance than I would.”
Jessie’s hand slid down to clasp Kendra’s forearm. “Listen to me. Even if there’s no danger . . . you don’t know what you’ll find in there.”
Kendra stared at Jessie for a long moment, finally accepting the truth. Jessie was afraid she might find Lynch’s dead body in the ruins of that building.
“Let me do it,” Jessie whispered.
Kendra shook her head. “If Lynch is in there . . .” She moistened her lips. “No matter what condition he’s in, I need to be the one to find him . . . and be with him. Do you understand?”
Jessie mouthed a silent curse, but finally let go of her arm.
Kendra took a step away. “I’ll be okay. Promise.”
Jessie was obviously still troubled. “After you make your sweep, come get me. Don’t wait. Got it?”
“I will.” Kendra took a deep breath and then started to walk toward the old gas station.
CHAPTER
10
She walked slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible on the gravel path. Before she even reached the door, she was hit by an overpowering odor, one she had smelled several times before.
The smell of death.
Oh, God.
There was something else. A buzzing sound.
Flies, she realized. Hundreds, maybe thousands of flies.
