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“She fixated on her, and it became her entire focus. Becoming fanatical is just another version of her obsessive personality.”
Jac spoke into the quiet after the last statement. “Based on Sharlee’s analysis combined with Ava’s interpretations, Audra is likely feeling cornered and desperate. She’ll be more dangerous now than ever before, which means we need to act swiftly and decisively.”
“Agreed,” Ryker said, his jaw set in determination. “Marco, what have you uncovered during your recon missions?”
“Audra’s been careful,” Marco admitted, his voice low and confident. “But I’ve managed to track down a few leads. There’s a warehouse on the outskirts of town that’s been receiving an unusual amount of traffic lately. It could be worth checking out.”
“I got the address and ran the ownership through the computer. We found it belongs to Harry Dergan—a developer who lost his wife to suicide a few years ago. The information I could pull up said she had mental health issues. Evidently, she could not overcome them,” said Sharlee.
“Excellent,” said Carter, making a note of the location. “We’ll need to coordinate our efforts and ensure we’re all working together seamlessly. The element of surprise would be nice, but it might not be available to us.”
“Well, as we now have Linton, it will be easier,” said Monroe.
Linton chuckled. “In theory, yes. But I can’t condone any vigilantism. But what law-abiding citizens run into in their normal course of a day is not a problem.”
As the team discussed their next moves, Oakley’s face flashed in Ryker’s mind. He knew the emotional toll her ordeal had taken on her and was determined to bring Audra to justice.
“Okay, team, let’s split up and follow these leads,” Carter instructed. “We don’t have time to mess around. Ryker, Oakley is yours and Levi’s. I need someone with a bit more skills than you have, my lawyer friend.”
“I agree. But I need to be in on what’s happening. Oakley needs closure.”
Jac looked at his wife. “Charlotte, continue analyzing the data and look for any patterns that might emerge.”
Carter looked at Kaden. “Keep monitoring Audra’s associates and cross-reference their movements with the intel Mark and Callie gather. I need you to assess the warehouse, and find who is coming and going from it. Monroe, get the information you need to assess if the warehouse is a viable target, and can we breach it? We will call Ava into play when we have information she can work with. Everyone good?”
“Good,” they replied in unison, their faces set with steely resolve.
As the team dispersed, Ryker allowed himself a brief moment of vulnerability, his thoughts turning to Oakley once more. She needed him now more than ever, and he vowed to do everything in his power to protect her and help the guys bring Audra to justice.
The sun had slipped below the horizon as Callie and Mark approached a seemingly abandoned warehouse, its walls covered in graffiti and its windows shattered. The air was thick with the scent of mold and decay, sending a shiver down Callie’s spine as she cracked her knuckles.
“This is a perfect Halloween haunted house,” said Callie. “Let’s get to it and get out. This place is creepy.”
“According to Kaden’s intel, this is one of the last known locations Audra used,” said Callie. “There might be people inside who can tell us more about her whereabouts.”
“Let’s hope they’re willing to talk,” Leo replied, his normally jovial demeanor replaced by an unyielding seriousness.
***
STEPPING THROUGH Arusted metal door, they found themselves in a dimly lit room filled with crates and discarded furniture. A handful of people huddled together, their expressions a mix of fear and defiance. At the sight of Callie and Leo, they visibly stiffened.
“Who are you? What do you want?” a woman demanded, protective of those behind her.
“We just want to ask some questions about Audra,” Leo said calmly, hands raised in a non-threatening gesture.
“Audra? What about her?” the woman replied hesitantly, her eyes flickering between Callie’s imposing figure and Leo’s reassuring smile.
“Let me cut to the chase,” Callie interjected, her voice low and menacing. “We know Audra orchestrated Oakley’s kidnapping, and we need your help to find her before she hurts anyone else.”
“Oakley? That girl didn’t deserve what happened to her,” another man murmured, breaking the tense silence. “I can’t speak for everyone here, but I’m tired of Audra using us like pawns. She promised us protection, but all she’s done is put our lives at risk. I lost my job, my family, and my home because she said it was a better life without my medication.”
As he spoke, others in the room nodded in agreement, sharing whispered stories of Audra’s ruthlessness and manipulation.
“At first,” said the woman, “she was kind and helpful. She made it seem like there was a better life off the medication. Then, when it was obvious we were having difficulties, instead of helping us, she left us here to live with our demons.”
Mark looked around. “Are you all that is here?”
“The rest wandered off in their fear and demons to some other place,” the woman whispered.
