Hawk’s people lived about two and a half hours from Kalispell.
“Most of the kids we save have a difficult time adjusting, which is to be expected. But she’s having an especially tough time, and we can’t get her to open up.” Dulce’s voice became solemn. “It’s like she’s shut down.”
“Defense mechanism.” Charlotte looked up briefly, then returned her attention to the file. “She’s protecting herself from being hurt again.”
“Excuse me, Dulce, can I talk to you for a second, please?” Cole signaled for his wife to join him at the copier.
“I’ll be right back.” She walked over to him.
Charlotte was so laser-focused on the tablet, she merely gave Dulce a distracted nod.
Hawk could almost hear her brain clicking as she tried to figure out the best way to help. Her worry for herself had been replaced by her concern for the child. It was one of her strengths, but it could also be an exploitable weakness.
His boss whispered something to Dulce. She nodded and walked back over to Charlotte.
“Charlotte, since you’re here, if I can set up a video call with the director there in Kalispell, would you be willing to participate? I think she’d appreciate hearing your input on how to proceed.”
“Of course.” She looked at the tablet with a sad smile. “She’s such a precious little thing.” She lowered the tablet, and the concern and sadness in her eyes were nearly palpable.
Hawk had to fight the urge to walk over and wrap her in a comforting hug.
“Please tell me someone got the animals who did this to her,” she asked.
“We did.” Hawk’s jaw tightened at the memory, and he stood.
She pivoted toward him.
“It was a nighttime rescue, and I was the one who kicked in the door to where she was being held.” There had been no windows, and the damn room was dark as a tomb. “We had to use our flashlights to find her.”
They’d clicked them on and dragged the beams around the space until they found her.
“She’d wedged herself into the farthest corner of the room, partially hidden behind an upholstered chair.” Her legs had been drawn up tight to her body, her arms wrapped around them, and her face buried against her knees. “I hung back by the door while Calliope approached her.”
His teammate’s diminutive size made her less intimidating than the guys on the team, who were all over six feet tall. And Calliope had a gift when it came to dealing with victims.
She’d knelt down a few feet in front of the little girl and, in her gentlest voice, whispered, “You’re safe now, honey.”
The little girl had looked up at them with giant brown eyes filled with terror and streaks down her dirty face left behind by her tears. Hawk had wanted to hunt down and kill everyone who’d ever hurt her.
Hawk felt the same ferocity at the thought of someone hurting Charlotte.
“I’m so glad you found her.” Charlotte flipped open her messenger bag, dug out a leather notebook and pen, then clipped the bag shut.
“If you guys will excuse us.” Dulce looped her arm through Charlotte’s, and they headed toward the door.
Hawk hopped up from the floor and started after them. “Where are you—”
“Relax. We’ll be right down the hall, in the main conference room.” Dulce grinned. “She’s safe here, Hawk. Caleb did our security system.”
“You don’t honestly think I’d let my wife work in a building that isn’t locked up tight, do you?” Cole looked at him, one dark brow raised.
“You’re right. Sorry.” Hawk lifted his hands and stepped back.
In addition to being a tactical canine operator, Caleb O’Halleran was also a genius with security systems. If he installed one for ELC, then this place was more secure than Fort Knox.
Charlotte cast a quick glance over her shoulder at him just before the door closed behind them.
“Fuck,” he grumbled and scrubbed his hand down his face.
