Page 46 of The Deadly Shallows

Noah shifted his attention to Caleb. “Let the team know what you learned from your interview with Brooke.”

Caleb nodded, then cleared his throat.

Noah braced to hear the information once again.

“She remembers going out to her car,” Caleb said. “Went to unlock the door, but before she could even lower the key to the lock, someone grabbed her in a choke hold from behind and smothered her with something that smelled sickly sweet—most likely chloroform. She woke up blindfolded and bound. She said wherever she was smelled old and musty.”

“Any idea what kind of building she was in?” Rissi asked.

“She guessed an old barn or warehouse. The ground was hard beneath her feet and the cold wind was whistling in, indicating either poor insulation or possibly a cracked window. She said the walk from the structure to the boat was less than forty paces.”

“I can continue spearheading the search, focusing on buildings situated directly by the water,” Mason said.

“Brooke also provided some helpful details about her captors,” Caleb said. “She heard one man being called Saul, and she saw his face in the boat and during the chase, so she thinks she can recall a fairly accurate description. She only briefly saw the second man but will attempt a description of him as well. Though, she said the second man tried to kill Saul, and their fight enabled her to escape.”

Noah closed his eyes for a brief second, whispering a prayer of thanks.

“Also,” Caleb continued, “Saul referred to the man who appeared to be in charge at the warehouse as Dw before he was cut off. That’s probably the reason the second man in the boat tried to take him out.”

“So we have one first name and a partial, as well as a chance at helpful sketches,” Noah said. “One more note on Brooke before we move on, Connor Andrews whispered the word gator to her before he went into surgery, which I believe is the reason she was abducted. Andrews is still unconscious, so he hasn’t spoken to anyone else. His age and the fact he still had on his medical notification necklace indicate he was a green recruit. His surrender only confirms this in my mind.”

“Agreed,” Mason said.

“Brooke has no idea what gator means.” Noah pinched the bridge of his nose as anger and pain sifted through him. “She held out as long as she could but eventually told her captors the word. Despite their cruel attempts to get more out of her, she insisted she knew nothing else, and they finally gave up.”

Noah raked a shaky hand through his hair as fury quivered his limbs. If the men hadn’t taken her out in the boat, if she hadn’t escaped . . . she would be dead. She’d nearly died, and he’d nearly lost her twice, in less than twenty-four hours.

Turning his attention back to the board, Noah forced himself to concentrate fully on the case. He had to put all he had into finding and punishing the men responsible for it all. He would not rest until they were behind bars where they belonged.

“How you holding up, hon?” Gabby said.

Brooke smiled at the term of affection Gabby, Noah, and the rest of their family had brought from Maryland.

She clutched the hazelnut latte Gabby had brought, allowing it to warm her hands. Raul must have made it extra hot for it to still hold its heat despite the chill outside.

“You cold?” Gabby asked.

“Yeah. I have no idea why they have to keep it so frigid in here.” Brooke shivered under the sheet masquerading as a blanket the hospital had provided.

“Then good thing I brought this for you,” Gabby said, pulling a beautiful quilt done in blues and seafoam green with starbursts of yellow throughout from one of the duffels she’d carried in.

“It’s beautiful. Is it one of Kenzie’s?” Gabby’s sister made the loveliest quilts. No matter how many she made, they always sold out at the craft fairs. “It’s so sweet of Kenzie to let me borrow this.” She snuggled into the comfy warmth as Gabby spread it over her.

“It’s yours. A gift from Kenzie,” Gabby said.

Brooke considered arguing but knew better. Gabby lived to win arguments. Watching her and Noah go at it was hilarious. Brooke and their whole family placed bets on who’d win any given argument. Noah’s family really had taken her into their fold, and considering her family was in Colorado and wasn’t tight-knit, she adored being an adopted part of the Rowley clan. If only she and Noah . . . if only she could become a real part of it.

“And . . .” Gabby said, fishing something else out of the duffel bag, “Nana Jo’s peanut brittle.”

“Oh, you guys are too sweet,” Brooke said. “Between these and Austin’s red velvet cookies, y’all are going to put some pounds on me.” She chuckled for the first time since— She cut off the thought before it consumed her. “What’s in the blue duffel?” she asked, curious what else Gabby might have brought.

“Stuff for Noah.” Gabby shrugged.

Of course. “That’s nice of you to bring him stuff too. I can’t get him to go rest in his room. The recliner in here can’t be as comfortable as a bed.” She wished he’d never leave her side, but her concern for his well-being overrode that.

“He’s stubborn,” Gabby said, taking a seat in the recliner.

Brooke chuckled. “Pot, kettle.” And that went for his entire family.