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I helped her search, but it was empty too.
“What could they have done with him?”
Anything.
But I kept that to myself.
“She said you were going to have to look really hard.”
I’d let them walk away. With the money. And no Eric.
“Let’s try another apartment,” I suggested. I’d search the entire building from top to bottom twice if I had to. “We stay together.”
Teague had always emphasized in the fire department’s crisis training the importance of partners. This building was dangerous. It was dark—
Teague.
I pressed his contact info. I’d told him about what happened because he’d called when we hadn’t shown up for popsicles. I don’t know why I didn’t think of him before.
“Any news?” He sounded as concerned as I felt.
“We think he’s in the apartment building where they grew up. But it’s abandoned and we don’t have any light other than our phones. Any chance you could help in that department?”
“Text me the address and I’ll have you hooked up in ten minutes.”
I sent the location and prayed help arrived soon.
“Call my phone. We need the light,” Lexie said tensely.
The device lit from the floor several feet away. She picked it up and shined the flashlight toward the door.
It’s done. They’re in custody.
I wanted to celebrate with the news in Daniel’s text, but it was a hollow victory.
No Eric. Make them disclose his location.
We will.
We could use help in the search.
On it.
“They’ve been arrested.”
Lexie’s light swiped across the walls as she spun around. “How? Never mind. We have to find Eric.”
“I’ve asked for backup.”
“Eric!” she shouted when we were back out in the hallway. She moved to the apartment to the left and kicked that door. “Eric!” The desperation in her voice was nearly crippling.
Agony intensified at every empty room we checked.When is help coming?It felt like forever since I’d spoken to Teague.
Blinding light flooded the hallways. A momentary breath of relief slashed through me but was quickly replaced by the ever-present distress.
“Lincoln!” Teague’s voice floated up the center of the stairwell. “Backup is here. You found him yet?”
I leaned on the railing. “Not yet,” I yelled down.
