Instead, he pulled up dispatch and hit call. “Dispatch, this is Wyatt.”
“Go ahead.”
“I need you to get a message to the search team working Lost Hollow—Graham’s unit. Priority.”
“Go ahead with your traffic.”
Wyatt turned away, lowering his voice as he relayed everything Wren had told him, each detail tightening the urgency in his chest.
There was a brief pause on the other end—long enough to make his pulse tick up.
“Copy,” dispatch finally said. “We’re reaching out now.”
“Tell them not to approach alone,” Wyatt added. “And I want confirmation the second they receive it.”
“Understood.”
Wyatt ended the call and looked back at Wren. “Thank you. You’ve helped more than you know. When it’s time for you to leave, we’ll find someplace safe for you then too.”
Wren nodded. “Thanks.”
Kori squeezed Wren’s hand. “You were so brave to share that. Thank you again. I’ll be back to visit you again.”
They said goodbye before stepping out.
In the hallway, he stopped at the deputy. “I need you to stay sharp. No one goes into that room who isn’t cleared medical staff. You see anything that feels wrong, you call it in immediately.”
The deputy straightened. “Understood.”
They hurried back outside to Wyatt’s truck.
“Where are we going?” Kori asked when they reached the truck.
“Max’s aunt and uncle’s place.” He pulled open the door for Thunder and reached for his phone. “I need to warn them.”
He found Max’s number and called.
It rang through to voicemail.
He tried again with the same result.
Frustration knotted between his shoulders.
He pulled out of the parking lot and dialed Caleb.
His brother answered on the second ring.
“Max lost his phone last night,” Caleb said. “He drove into town this morning to get a new one. Why?”
Wyatt cranked the engine. “I need you to get word to him as soon as you can. Tell him to contact his aunt and uncle and make sure they’re safe.”
“I’m on it,” Caleb said. “I’ll go into town and track him down in person if I have to.”
Wyatt ended the call and backed out of the spot.
“What’s going on?” Kori asked. “Is everything okay?”
“No, unfortunately, it’s not. And we don’t have any time to waste.”
