Page 97 of Glimmer in the Darkness

He and Vince had been crouched, side-by-side, for ten minutes or more. How long did Vince plan to watch an empty trail? To wait for someone to emerge from a cavern free of everybody except a trapped little girl?

“It’s obvious to me now that Cassidy isn’t the kidnapper.” Vince’s voice seemed too loud in the silent woods. “If she’s here, she doesn’t have to be afraid of me.”

“Cassidy took off after you came to my house yesterday.”

Vince nodded slowly, kept his focus on the path. “If she were here, would you tell me?”

“You say you believe me, but have you convinced Detective Cote?”

At Vince’s shrug, James added, “You still have a job to do, right? Finding Cassidy is part of that.”

“I’m not on the job right now. Not officially, anyway.”

“Take the day off?”

Vince shot a glare his way. “I wanna find Reid’s daughter as much as you do.”

“I’m sure that’s true.”

More long minutes of waiting followed. Finally, Vince said, “I don’t think he’s in there. Let’s go get Ella.” He nodded toward the mouth of the cavern, but James shook him off.

“You’re the professional. I’ll follow.”

Vince gave him a long look through squinted eyes, then nodded and started up the steep hill. From behind, James caught sight of the handgun holstered on Vince’s right hip, some kind of black contraption on his left. Looked like it could be official police gear, but he’d never seen it before.

And then he realized it was a satellite phone. Vince had told him he’d bought one to stay in touch while he searched for the cave.

Only when James was sure Vince wasn’t looking did he turn toward where he’d left Cassidy. No sign of her, but that didn’t mean anything. She could still be where he’d asked her to stay. She could have run to call 911, thinking he’d confirmed that Ella was here when he didn’t come right back.

He highly doubted that second option.

She could be in the cavern. Vince could be on his way to her right now.

We need help, Lord. Please, protect them. He trudged behind his friend, unsure how to proceed but knowing he needed to do so very carefully.

At the top of the hill, Vince crouched to offer him a hand.

“I got it,” he said and climbed the last few feet.

Vince waited until James was beside him, and they stalked nearer the mouth of the cavern.

Ella was no longer crying.

Vince glanced back at him. “I’ll go first. Stay here, just in case he’s in there.”

“I’ll stay behind you.” Which wasn’t the same as staying outside, but Vince didn’t argue.

James followed, keeping his handgun pointed at the ground.

Out of the bright sunshine, he let his eyes adjust to the darkness. Sidestepped to see beyond Vince.

A blue cooler, a grocery bag, a bucket. Near them, an anvil, a chain.

A leather cuff, sliced open.

No Ella.

Vince bolted deeper into the cave, gun drawn. He got to the narrow escape passage and crouched, reached inside.