“It started storming, and they put the crate in the mud in the backyard. They herded us out there and showed us what might happen if we do something stupid,” the woman continued. “We didn’t see her afterward. They never brought her back.”
Jameson’s heart fell in his chest. Garrett’s hand clenched his shoulder. “They’ll be out for a while. Why don’t we search the property? We planned on clearing the basement. A few more minutes won’t hurt.”
“I’ll keep an eye out by the road,” Rebecca volunteered. “Matthew will stay here with the women, and Julio can go with you.”
“Sounds like a plan. While we’re searching, call your Fed contact. We’ll question them before they arrive,” Julio said, checking his weapon.
“Will do,” Rebecca said before turning to the women. “You’ll be safe with Matthew. I’ll return shortly, and then we’ll take you to a safe place,” she assured them.
The women huddled together and nodded in unison, unsure whether to believe her. Jameson nudged Garrett, telling him to move. The three men cleared the house again, then entered the basement. It resembled a medieval torture chamber, prompting Jameson to shut out the images of Caroline being forced to do this. When they got to the far end, Garrett lowered his weapon.
“I’m sorry, brother,” he said, offering his sympathy.
“Let’s check the barn and wake up one of those assholes and question them,” Julio said, already heading for the stairs. They skirted around the house and entered the dilapidated building. Jameson checked the loft while Julio drenched one of the men with buckets of water, waking him.
“Where’s your ringleader?” Julio demanded.
The man sneered and weaved before he uttered, “Fuck you.”
Garrett threw another bucket of water on him. “I heard it will storm tonight, and you assholes like to put defenseless women in metal cages.” He grabbed the man by the collar, dragging him to a stack of crates.
“All right, all right,” the man yelled. “You have to take me with you. Cain will kill me if I talk.”
Jameson growled, launching himself at the man. He grabbed him by the neck, choking him. “She’s not Cain’s. Caroline’s mine. If you don’t tell us what you know, I’ll stick your ass in the cage with a note, telling Cain you aided us in finding his little hideout.”
The man held out his hands. “He’ll kill me.”
“I’llkill you,” Jameson threatened.
“She’s in the yard,” the man stuttered. “Cain said to leave her there until he returns.”
A jolt of electricity went through Jameson as he took off running. His heart raced as he scanned the area, searching for any place where they might hide her. Garrett pulled tarps off ofrusted tractors and farm equipment as Julio searched under the porch.
“Come on, Caroline,” Jameson murmured. “I’m here, Baby. Give me a sign,” he said, turning over an old canoe. His eyes raked over a pile of crap in the center of the yard, and he ran toward it, yanking the junk away from the center. Glancing to his right, his gaze landed on a piece of hair. The thick mud caked the strands, making it difficult for him to determine if it was hers.
He dropped the items in his hand and slid to the ground beside the crate. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he saw the whip marks on her back. The skin appeared pasty white, and she didn’t move, even with all the racket.
“Over here,” he called, noticing the lock on the door. “We need a cable cutter.”
Garrett pulled out his multipurpose tool and began snapping the wires instead of working on the lock.
“Hurry,” Jameson said, watching for any signs of the woman breathing. “Caroline,” he whispered.
Garrett yanked the square away, and Jameson gently pulled the woman through, attempting to determine her identity.
Julio ran to the barn, grabbed a stable blanket, and laid it on the ground. Jameson held his breath as he carefully placed her on the blanket. He leaned over her, cleaning the muck from her face. Her skin felt freezing cold, and she lay deathly still, sending him panicking.
“Come on, sweetheart, open your eyes,” he pleaded, placing his head on her chest to check if she breathed. Julio felt for a pulse while Garrett started at her feet, rubbing them to create warmth and friction.
“Can you tell if it’s her?” Garrett asked.
Jameson raised his head to stare into her face when the woman blinked slowly and opened her eyes, showing the clearblue ones he saw in his dreams a million times over the last few months.
“Caroline,” he choked, holding back his tears. Her eyes widened, yet she didn’t speak. “Hold on. I’m picking you up and taking you someplace safe,” he whispered.
He knelt, scooping her in his arms while Julio braced her head and Garrett steadied him. They walked slowly across the yard, trying to spare her any pain.
“Hummingbird, they found her,” Matthew said over the coms. “They’ll put her in the second van, I’ll pick you up on the way. How long until the Feds arrive?”
