“The new photos of you and the kids are really nice,” Q said.
“Mr. Fenty did an amazing job of making us look good,” Sam said of the White House photographer.
As they chatted, Sam sent a text to Malone. Couldn’t sleep so coming in. Any news?
He didn’t reply right away, so she hoped that meant they were in the midst of rescuing Luna. She was on pins and needles as they drove through the start of rush hour in the capital city.
* * *
On the way to the storage facility, Ruiz had tracked down the owner, called to wake him up and told him what they needed. He was waiting for them when they arrived and shook hands with Jake and Ruiz as they introduced themselves.
“Normally, I’d want a warrant, but I’m not going to require that in this case.”
Jake wanted to tell him about exigent circumstances and how his requirements didn’t matter when someone’s life might be on the line, but he held his tongue since the guy was cooperating.
“Thank you for the cooperation,” Ruiz said. “We appreciate it.”
“Right this way.”
Ruiz signaled for her Emergency Response Team to follow them into the cavernous building.
Jake’s eyes adjusted to the bright fluorescent lighting as they were led down a winding series of corridors that led to Mayfield’s unit.
“It’s that one,” the owner said, pointing.
“Thank you very much.” On a hunch, Jake added, “While you wait for us, will you please look to see if the owner of this unit has others here?”
The realization that he couldn’t stay to watch what happened next clearly disappointed the man, but Jake didn’t have time to care. He stared him down.
“Yeah, I’ll do that.”
“Thank you.”
Watching him walk away, Jake wondered why anyone would want to be part of this nightmare if they didn’t have to be.
Ruiz used her bolt cutters to remove the padlock on the unit.
As she raised the garage-like door, Jake held his breath, trying to prepare himself for what they might find.
A rank smell greeted them as Ruiz shone a flashlight into the unit, landing on a huddled form in the corner.
Ruiz signaled for the others to stay back as she went in for a closer look. “It’s Luna,” she called back to them. “Pulse is faint. Let’s get EMS in here, stat.”
Jake made the call for EMS and ordered the rest of Ruiz’s team to stand down.
As the paramedics rushed in, Ruiz stepped out. She had tears in her eyes as she shook her head. “Who does that to a child?”
“A fucking monster. That’s who.”
“I… I need to call her parents.”
“Want me to do it?” he asked, noting the hard-charging captain was seriously undone by what she’d seen.
“No, I’ve got it. I just need a second.”
He watched as she pulled herself together to call Luna’s mother to tell her they’d found her daughter, and she was being taken to GW’s ER.
Jake could hear the woman’s screams coming through the phone.
