“Yes. Vivian Camden. And this is my fiancé, Grant Maddox.”
Grant extended a hand, though his grip was stiff with tension. “We were told the safe house was secure. So how did this happen? How did those men get in?”
Noah’s expression didn’t change. “We are looking into that. The breach was unexpected, and we will find out how they got access.”
Grant narrowed his eyes. “Unexpected or not, it shouldn’t have happened. Olivia was nearly taken and this happening on top of the ordeal she’s already been through because of her grandfather.”
Vivian placed a hand on Grant’s arm. “Enough. Please.” Her voice cracked slightly. She looked at Noah, eyes red with worry. “What about Ava? Any news about her?”
Noah gave a quiet nod. “She’s still at the Hale Institute. I know you haven’t spoken to her since your father placed both girls there.”
Vivian’s lips trembled. “I’ve called. Over and over. The main line, the staff numbers, everything. No one answers. The gate’s locked, and the sheriff in the area said they haven’t been able to get a judge to sign off on a warrant.”
“We’re aware,” Noah said. “We’re working on it.”
Vivian collapsed back into her chair, herstrength giving out. “I just want to know she’s safe.”
“I hope to have that information for you very soon.” Noah turned to Eli and Delaney. “I need a word. Step into the hall with me.”
Eli nodded and followed. Delaney was already moving beside him, silent and focused.
The hallway was quiet, just the distant murmur of nurses and the steady beep of machines behind closed doors. Eli leaned against the wall as Noah turned to face them, his sharp gaze flicking between the two of them.
“Have either of you spoken to Olivia yet?” Noah asked.
Eli shook his head. “No. She was in bad shape when we pulled her out. Shock, dehydration, bruises. She barely said anything in the ambulance.”
Delaney added, “She clung to me the whole ride but didn’t say a word. The EMT said she needed fluids and rest before anyone tried questioning her.”
Noah gave a tight nod, lips pressed together. “That tracks. Let her rest for now. We’ll talk to her when the doctors clear it. In the meantime, I’m turning over everything we have to the feds and the Texas Rangers. The locals, too, so they can try to build a case against the institute. Right now, it’ll be Olivia’s word against Hale’s and her grandfather’s, but something might turn up that can be used.”
He glanced at the far end of the hallway, where a nurse stepped into a room and quietly closed the door behind her.
“Ty’s out of surgery,” Noah said. “They got the bullet out. No major organ damage. He’s stable and expected to make a full recovery.”
Relief loosened something in Eli’s chest.
“And Jackson?” Delaney asked.
“Concussion. Some bruised ribs. He’s going to be sore for a while, but he’s already complaining, so that’s a good sign.”
Eli almost smiled at that. Jackson didn’t take well to being sidelined. If he was mouthing off, he was on the mend.
Noah looked between them again, expression serious. “You both did good work out there. It could’ve gone sideways, but it didn’t.”
Eli met his gaze. “It almost did.”
“Almost doesn’t count,” Noah said. “What matters is that Olivia is still breathing.”
Eli nodded, but he didn’t feel the full weight of that victory yet. Something about this mission still sat wrong in his gut. Something about the Hale Institute. About how fast and quiet everything had gone dark on their end.
Eli straightened. Delaney’s eyes narrowed beside him.
“There was a tracker,” Noah continued. “Hidden in the sole of Olivia’s shoe. Embedded deep, disguised like part of the support structure. Small enough that even the sweeps missed it.”
Delaney let out a breath, low and sharp. “Hell.”
Noah made a sound of agreement. “The techs found the shoes at the safe house and tested them again. That’s when they found it.”
