“Do it as soon as you can. If I need to get a warrant I will.”
His sigh filled the space. “Okay, honey. I’ll call as soon as they open.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Ava ended the call and placed the phone on the table before she shared her worst fears. “What if we can’t find whatever connection Wax thinks exists?”
Caleb reached across the table and covered her hand. “If it’s real and not part of his twisted games, we’ll find it. I promise, we’ll find it.”
She sure hoped he was right. She glanced down at her partner whose eyes were closed, but Ava knew Shadow was ready to work at her command.
While she struggled with lack of sleep and tried to pull her thoughts together, her radio squawked to life.
“Ava, come in.”
She recognized Agent Novak’s voice right away and hit the mic. “I’m here, Novak. What’s going on?”
“You’ve got to see this. We’ve been searching the mine looking for Rachel and we’ve stumbled onto what appears to be some type of sanctuary.”
“We’re on our way. Where are you?”
“Larabee will meet you at the entrance and bring you up.”
Ava jumped to her feet, triggering a low growl from Shadow. She looked down at the dog. “Time to go to work.”
Shadow was on his feet in a heartbeat leading the way from the tent. She and Caleb scrambled after him.
“Shadow, halt.” She needed to get his lead snapped into place. The dog did not wait so patiently while she did so. “Let’s go.”
The words were all Shadow needed to start for the mine as if his instincts were directing him to Wax.
A sanctuary. Novak’s words rumbled through her hazy thoughts. What type of sanctuary had Wax built into the mountainside and what would they find there? The unknown became almost as scary as the reality of Wax’s sick games.
Chapter Seventeen
Thirteen Witnesses
Larabee’s excitement became apparent as he rushed out to meet them. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” he told them before heading back inside the mine. “The collapsed portion has been cordoned off and secured as best as possible.” He stopped when they reached an area that Caleb believed was on the opposite side of the collapse where he and Ava had been trapped.
“It’s this way.” Larabee turned right down a small corridor. “About a quarter of a mile.”
Shadow strained at his lead, almost trampling Larabee in his urge to hunt.
“Heel.” Ava reined the dog back to her side.
“We’ve had people spreading out throughout this mine. They’ve found half a dozen similar passages. All have led to a dead end. But this one’s different.”
Caleb’s knot in his stomach tightened as they neared a ladder.
“It’s up here.” Larabee headed up the ladder.
Ava’s stopped Caleb. “We’ll need Shadow’s assistance in tracking Wax. Can you help me get him up?”
Caleb didn’t hesitate. “Hey, Larabee.”
The ranger stopped near the opening.
“We need the dog. I’m going to hand him to you.” Caleb climbed a few rungs and then asked Ava to hand the dog off.
She unsnapped the lead and gathered Shadow up. The animal squirmed in protest, but Ava quieted him. “It’s okay. We’ve got you.” Once the K-9 was calm, she gave him to Caleb.
