Page 109 of The Ice Sisters

Rage shot through Ellie, and she clawed at the man’s face, drawing blood. “Go, Mazie!”

Barbara helped Mazie up and they ran toward the door. Huller clutched Ellie by her hair and hit her again. Furious, she kneed him in the groin, and they rolled and struggled to reach the gun.

He grabbed it first but she managed to knock it from his hand and sent it skidding across the floor. Using all her force, she shoved Huller off her and scrambled for the weapon, but he recovered and jumped her from behind before she could reach it.

Then he punched her in the back. Pain shot through her kidneys and she heaved for a breath. She struggled to crawl out of his reach, but he pushed her to her back, straddled her and jammed the gun to her temple.

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FOUR

Cord stifled his thoughts about Lola and the baby. One crisis at a time. At the moment, all that mattered was finding Ellie and those kids. The sheriff’s phone buzzed and he answered, placing the caller on speaker.

“Barbara Thacker snuck out of the hospital,” the deputy said. “Security is searching the hospital and grounds.”

Bryce cursed. “Keep me posted.”

“He may have her,” Cord muttered.

Bryce nodded, his jaw clenched as he barreled around a sharp curve.

Ten minutes later, they reached the chicken farm.

Cord pointed to the hill. “There’s the van.”

Bryce flipped off the siren as they approached, then pulled his gun as he parked. They eased out and checked the van. No one was inside.

Wind whipped across the mountain, rustling trees and tree limbs cracked. Cord noticed footprints leading toward the concrete building and gestured to the sheriff to follow. The building lacked windows, but the heavy exterior door was unlocked.

Cord reached for it with Bryce behind, his gun drawn.

They started in but a second later, the missing girls and Barbara Thacker ran toward them, crying.

Cord dropped to his knees and caught Ivy and Bryce caught Mazie.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Cord assured her softly. “We’re the good guys, here to help.”

“I’m the sheriff,” Bryce said, pointing to his badge.

The girls were borderline hysterical and Barbara tried to soothe them. “Detective Reeves is in there with him.”

“Take them to the police car,” Bryce said.

Barbara nodded, clutched both girls’ hands and they ran toward it.

Cord bolted back toward the building and ran inside. Bryce had stopped to secure the kids and Barbara in his squad car.

Ellie was on the floor on her back. Huller was holding her down with a gun aimed at her temple.

One move and he could kill her.

“Get off her,” Cord growled.

The man jerked his head toward the door, his eyes crazed. “Step back or I’ll kill her.”

He was going to kill her anyway. Cord raised his hands in surrender mode. “Look, I’m not armed. Let her go and you can get out of here.”

Ellie’s gaze shot to Cord’s and she gave a tiny shake of her head.

“I mean it,” Cord said. “I’m offering you an out. Best deal you’re gonna get today.”

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