Ava’s voice came out firm and clear. “We go over all the evidence and come up with a coordinated plan before he goes back on the hunt again, if he hasn’t already. I believe that will happen quickly. If ERT locates the secondary entrance, we’ll assume he’s using it as an access route between his kill sites. That shaft could lead us straight into his staging ground, or his escape tunnel.”
Caleb studied the map projected on Rachel’s tablet, tracing the faint contour lines where the mountain folded in on itself. “That entire section is riddled with old mine passages. If Wax knows the tunnels, he could move unseen for miles.”
“Which makes this our bottleneck,” Ava said. “He’s using the terrain as his ally. We’ll use strategy as ours.”
Larabee approached, snow clinging to his boots. “ERT reports progress on the secondary opening. It’s partially collapsed but still accessible. They’ve confirmed heat residuals inside.”
The words hit like a spark. Ava’s eyes lifted to Caleb’s. “He’s here. He hasn’t left the area. Show me. Let’s go,” she said to Larabee who led the way.
Rachel caught up with them. “This is unbelievable. We might actually have a chance at capturing him.”
The excitement in Rachel’s voice washed over him only to intensify Caleb’s misgivings. Too easy. The thought kept rolling through his head. After all the intricate details Wax had given them, would he really slip up and let them get close enough to capture him without a backup plan?
Caleb couldn’t believe it. As much as he wanted Wax caught and brought to justice for everything he’d done to his victims and their families. It couldn’t be this easy.
They reached the clearing where ERT worked to remove clutter to gain access to the tunnel.
Caleb pulled Ava aside. “I don’t like this.” He shared his concerns.
Ava held his gaze. “I agree with you, but if there’s the slightest chance that maybe Wax made a mistake, we have to take it, Caleb. We both know he's escalating. It’s possible he slipped up because he’s rushing through things to get his message across.”
He kept any further concerns to himself because he knew that stubborn look on her face all too well. She’d do whatever was necessary to capture Wax and bring her demons to light. He just prayed it wouldn’t be at the cost of her life.
“Gather around everyone.” Ava turned back to the team amassing from all previous search sites. She’d called them back because they’d need all the manpower they could get to search. “We believe there’s a possibility that Wax is still in the tunnel. We’ll split into two units. Half our agents, half the K-9 handlers and half the search and rescue team will sweep the tunnels from the north slope under Harper’s leadership.” Ava waited for Harper to confirm before continuing. “The rest of you are with me, Caleb and Rachel. I want Larabee and Shackleford with us as well. We’ll move in from the lower shaft with Shadow. If we trap him between us, he’ll have nowhere to go.”
Unless it was what Wax was counting onHol. Caleb couldn’t let go of the worry. The thought of Ava being captured by Wax again terrified him.
Ava’s eyes landed on him. He believed she read his thoughts clearly. “We make sure whatever Wax is counting on happening doesn’t.”
Wax was a formidable opponent. He’d probably been planning his revenge for years. They were already way behind the eightball.
Rachel handed him and Ava headsets. “Command is on standby for live coordination. Vaughn called in more local deputies to seal off the service road.”
Ava clipped the headset in place. “Good. I want full comm silence until we breach. No chatter unless it’s life or death. We move in five.”
Caleb hesitated, watching the storm show no sign of abating. “I’m worried, Ava.”
Ava glanced toward the dark cut in the ridge. “I know,” she said softly. “But for the first time, we’re close enough to see the edges of his masterpiece.”
Shadow whined low, nose sniffing in the direction of the mountain.
Ava met Caleb’s eyes. “Let’s get the team ready. When the next chapter starts—he won’t be the only one writing it.”
ERT finished clearing the entrance to the lower shaft. Caleb clicked on his flashlight as the pitch-black darkness that overtook them as they moved down the passage became almost tangible.
The team was forced to bend over to move down the narrow tunnel.
Shadow sniffed the stale air trying to pick up a scent.
Sounds became distorted as it bounced off the rock walls.
Caleb had explored several of these old mine shafts when he was younger. There was always something a bit claustrophobic about being down here. Not too much gave him the chills anymore. This was certainly doing it.
Ava tapped Shadow’s back giving him a silent command to halt. She motioned Larabee forward.
Larabee pulled up the tablet and showed it to her. The heat residuals were still there.
Ava gave the command to move forward.
