Lights filled the windows of the motel room, and Edge walked over to take a look.
“Sheriff’s here. Let’s hope he’s in the mood to hear one helluva story.”
Akins’s blond hair looked mussed, as if he had just rolled out of bed—which at this late hour, he undoubtedly had. Faint circles appeared beneath his light blue eyes.
It took an hour to relay the happenings at the Children of the Sun compound and answer questions about Daniel Henson, including the news that Henson was cooking meth.
“You should have let the police handle it,” the sheriff grumbled, clearly unhappy with their interference. “You could be facing all sorts of charges.”
“Henson was holding Callie against her will,” Edge said. “That’s kidnapping. Callie wanted out. We helped her get out. Any casualties suffered are on them.”
The sheriff eyed him darkly. Akins knew about the attack on Callie but not about Trace and the man he had shot. Edge didn’t figure Daniel Henson would be pressing charges anytime soon.
“You’re absolutely sure Henson’s manufacturing synthetic drugs out there?” the sheriff pressed.
“We’ve got drone footage showing the interior of the lab,” Edge said. “It’s a big one. The guy is making millions, and the longer you wait to go in, the better the chances he’ll rabbit.”
Akins pulled out his cell phone and started making calls. It would take time to put together a tactical team to raid the compound.
“What about the women?” Skye asked, worried about what might happen to them. “Is there a chance you could get them out first? Callie says none of the women are involved with the drug operation. Henson doesn’t allow them to go near the lab, and what Henson says is law.”
“I’ll have to take that up with the DEA. Their commander will be arriving first thing this morning.”
Edge hoped it wouldn’t be too late. On the other hand, Henson might not realize they knew about the lab. The women didn’t seem to know, so Callie wouldn’t be considered a threat. And Edge and Skye had made it clear they wanted Callie out of there. With so much drug money at stake, Henson might wait to see how things played out.
There was a chance the DEA would catch Daniel Henson with his pants around his ankles and bust the entire operation. But that was Akins’s business.
“There’s one more thing,” Skye said to the sheriff. “There’s a young woman. Her name was Sarah. A witness came forward who says Sarah was murdered when they caught her trying to escape. The witness gave us the location where the body is buried.”
Callie made a sound in her throat. Skye had told her about Sarah and that Molly had witnessed the murder, but the pain was still fresh.
“What’s the woman’s last name?” Akins asked.
“She was married to one of Henson’s men,” Skye said. “A man named Webb Rankin. She used his last name. That’s all we know.”
The sheriff’s blue eyes narrowed. “I want to speak to the witness.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Edge said. “The woman escaped the compound. She’s no longer in the area.”
Akins fell silent. Edge could almost see his mind working.
“I only have five deputies for the entire county. That’s not enough to tackle this thing head-on. Not if what you’re telling me is the truth.”
“It’s the truth, all right. Henson’s got a small army out there. The longer you wait, the better the chance he’ll get away. By now he could be on his way to Mexico.”
“The DEA is due to arrive in the next several hours. Until then, there’s nothing I can do.”
Edge didn’t argue because the sheriff was right. Even if Akins deputized the three of them, they wouldn’t have enough manpower to go against Henson’s soldiers. Not without casualties, some of which were bound to be women.
Morning couldn’t come soon enough for Edge.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
IT TOOK THREE HOURS FOR THEDEATO SET UP OPERATIONS FOR Araid on the Children of the Sun. Skye, Edge, Trace, and Callie had given their statements and answered questions at least a dozen times. They were free to go, but they all refused to leave.
“My best friend is in that compound,” Callie had said. “Until I know Lila is safe, I’m not going anywhere. I promised I’d find a way to help her and the others. I have to make sure they’re okay.”
Skye understood. She felt much the same way. In truth, she was beginning to see her half-sister in a whole new light. Callie had made some mistakes, but she was strong, determined, and loyal. And she was brave in the face of danger. They were qualities Skye admired.
