Scott saw Alex bending down, issuing the dogs with treats. He could hear Sadie squealing, sounding none the worse for wear, thankfully. Thank god.
“Scotty!” She yelled when she saw him. “And Jakey! And Zakky! Are you here to look for Lois too?”
They froze, the implications of what she had said raining down on them like hail.
“What do you mean, Sadie Grace?” Jonny put Sadie down on the floor and crouched so he was at her level.
“I saw two men pick Lois up. I was on my own picking up chocolate wrappers that the boys dropped and I saw two men with Lois. She wasn’t fighting them, but I know you didn’t go with strangers…” She paused, her mouth open as she saw her father’s expression, a look of sheer terror papering his face. Scott was sure they all wore the same look.
“Sadie, what did you see?”
“Two men. One was all dressed up in grey pants and a fancy jacket. The other man he looked a bit… I get told off when I say these words…”
“I’m not going to tell you off, princess.” Jonny told her.
“He looked freaky.”
“Freaky how?”
Sadie looked at Rayah then back at her father and for the first time, she looked scared. “His clothes were messy and he had a missing tooth.”
“So did the man who assaulted Lena at Christmas,” Zack said, referring to the attack on Lois’ sister, one that had resulted in Sorrell being trapped in the underground cave system.
“Same people who tried to snatch her a few months ago?” Jake said.
“Sounds like it.” Scott waited for Sadie to carry on.
The little girl looked at Rayah and spread her arms out to her. Rayah took hold of her, giving her whatever comfort she needed.
“So what did you do?”
“I pretended I was in the Secret Seven and I followed them. I kept hiding in the bushes so they wouldn’t see me and they didn’t. I left my shoe because I knew you’d look for me.” She buried into Rayah’s arms.
“Princess, why did you stop here?” Jonny said. He stroked his daughter’s hair.
“Because it was the last place to hide and my legs were tired. And I’m hungry.” She looked cross now.
“Okay,” Rayah spoke for the first time. “I’m going to carry you down to town and we’ll get some food, then you’re going to tell me the story.”
Jonny shook his head. “We need more now.”
“We don’t. There aren’t many paths up here and there are no entrances to the tunnels. Lee’s radioed down to say Sadie’s been found but they have Lois. They’ll get the ‘copter out. Sadie needs to eat and sleep. You need to go look for Lois.” Rayah was now standing, holding the little girl tightly in her arms. Sadie was a slight thing and weighed practically as much as a bird; Rayah would have no problem getting her down.
Jonny shook his head. “I’m coming with you. I’m probably in a worse state than her. And if anyone’s still on this part of the path, I don’t want you on your own.”
“Were those men bad, Daddy?” Sadie said.
“Yes, princess. They were bad.”
“Oh.” She pinched her lips together. “Next time I’ll tell someone rather than pretending to be part of the Secret Seven.”
“For the sake of my health, please do that.”
Scott watched as Jonny put his arm around Rayah’s shoulders, making the three of them look like a family. He caught his cousin’s eyes and she gave him a helpless smile, followed by a kiss on the top of Sadie’s head. That was a conversation for another time and with Jonny, not Rayah.
“Okay, gentlemen, let’s go.” Alex brought everyone back together, starting to instruct. “Three teams…”
23
