Page 91 of Doyle

“We’re not sure. But there was an explosion deep in the mountain, to the north.” He’d leaned over his tablet now, zooming out to a satellite view of the volcano. “It’s possible this mining camp had something to do with it.” He pointed to a worksite—the same one she’d seen with Doyle. “We’re still trying to contact them.”

“In the meantime, what about the kids?” Tia asked, looking up at the group. She recognized the two other Jones, Inc. security guys.

Silence.

“What’s going on?”

“We’re not sure,” Declan said and bent over the map. “The TRIS unit, along with Ethan’s report, shows a viable heat source here.” He pointed to a tunnel leading off one they’d accessed yesterday. “Only problem is, there’s a cave-in at the entrance.”

“The drone found another access point, however,” Hamilton said. He pointed to an area west of the tunnel, past the cliffside exit. “They left a couple hours ago to find their way in.”

They.She looked at Declan. “Doyle.”

“Yes, he’s with them.”

Her mouth tightened, but she nodded.

Of course he was, and she fought the terrible fist in her heart.Breathe.

But it was Edward all over again, someone she loved getting into a mess that might cost his life?—

Wait—what?She didn’tloveDoyle.

Oh.She drew in a long breath. Maybe she did. Or was starting to. And he’d left without...

Now her eyes burned.

Only then did she feel the silence. A few men shifted around the table. “You’re not telling me something.”

Declan moved his hand behind his neck, squeezed. “There was another tremor. This time near the north, near their position.”

She stepped back from the table, her hands around her waist, holding on.

“And we’ve lost contact with the team.”

Of course they had.

“It could simply be interference,” said Hamilton. “But we’re assembling another team to find them.”

Perfect.She nodded. “I’m going.”

Declan gave her a hard look.

“I’m going!”

“No,” Hamilton said, blue eyes hard on hers. “You’re not.”

She stared at him. His gaze seemed not angry but deathly calm, and unmoving and...

“Find them,” she whispered. “Please.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Then she turned and headed outside, into the courtyard, into the crying night, and stared up at the dark hulk of mountain. And all she had was Anita’s prayer stirring inside her.“You are a God of hope, and we need that now.”

* * *

“I don’t know who is crazier—you with your conspiracy theory about Declan, or me for listening to it.” Stein smacked the residue from his hands, a byproduct of another go at moving the steel door.

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