“They’ll try. If they aren’t able to get a visual on the Mercedes, they’ll begin searching the warehouses systematically.” Kurt steered his GMC along the winding road leading to remote Jefferson Airport. They followed a squad car that held Chief Warner and one of his deputies.
The SWAT team would arrive before they did. Kurt, the chief, county officers, emergency vehicles, and more would hang back or advance depending on the communication they received from SWAT.
“And when they find Britt?” Zander asked.
“They’ll likely deploy a flash bang.”
“Which is harmless, yes?”
“Yes, but when it detonates, it puts off so much light, sound, and smoke that it’s disorienting.”
“What if one of the guys is holding her hostage?”
“SWAT is trained to handle it. They’ll likely negotiate first. If that breaks down, they may take the attacker out.”
God. It was a prayer. A plea.Come through for Britt. Stand between her and danger. I believe that you can.I believe that you will.
Please, I beg of you.
A small plane descended toward earth against the bruised gray of the cloudy sky.
They were close.
Note passed from Zander to Colton in twelfth grade:
I heard that you tried to pressure Britt into leaving Maddie’s party with you. When she said no, you yelled at her.
Treat Britt like that again, and I’ll beat you up.
Note passed between Mia and Britt in twelfth grade:
MIA:That girl you set Zander up with was so pretty! Did they hit it off?
BRITT:At first. They went out three times, and then he told me he didn’t think it was going to work.
MIA:Why?
BRITT:Because she got way too serious about him way too quick. I tried to give her a Zander 101 course before they went out, and I warned her not to do that, but she clearly didn’t listen.
MIA:She’s crazy! You have super high standards for Zander’s girlfriends. She was lucky that you offered to set her up with him in the first place.
BRITT:Exactly!
MIA:Zander doesn’t date much. Doesn’t he get lonely?
BRITT:No. He has me.
MIA:I thought you’d picked a winner for him this time.
BRITT:I thought so, too, for a few days. But now I see that I was wrong. I don’t think her personality is quite right for Zander. They’re not a fit.
Note written by Britt when she was in twelfth grade:
Dad, can you please call the admissions director at University of Washington–Tacoma to confirm our appointment with him and Zander on Saturday? Everything has to go perfectly because we NEED that man to offer Zander a full ride. Should we casually mention that USC is desperate for Zander? You’re going to say no, since that would be a lie. But you’re good at negotiation, so I’m counting on you to come up with something (not a lie) that will still work.
Chapter
twenty-four
