Page 88 of Lethal Deceit

I look back at Samantha one last time, smile gently, and turn away—lifting a silent prayer that God will prepare her heart, and that He’ll let me be part of whatever He’s doing next.

Jake tosses a vest at me. “Rest of the gear is in the back of the minivan.”

I follow him, bypassing the bedroom where Caleb and Adena are speaking in hushed tones, and return to the garage. The rear door is open, and Jake has set up a small armory beside the car seats. I pick up a radio and headset.

“You brought all this with you?”

He reaches in and pulls out a set of PVS-14 night vision monoculars.

I whistle. “Those don’t come cheap.”

He grins. “You should see the sexy gear Verity and Reese have. Fun times.”

Except it’s not fun. None of this is. Not when this is my sister’s life at stake.

Jake hands me a sidearm, which I refuse in favor of my own. I pat my holster as I shake my head. “I’d rather use a weapon I’m familiar with.”

He eyes me, amusement flickering across his face before he gestures to an unopened bag. “Can you get the vest over that thing, though?”

“What?” Jake says.

I slide my arms through the vest and fasten it around my waist. As I do, it bumps against the holster, making it impossible to secure properly. My fingers move to the gun, ready to take it off—then I pause, realizing something else might be wrong.

I pat the front pocket of my jeans, expecting to feel my phone.

Nothing.

Frowning, I glance down. The square outline that had been digging into my thigh all day is gone.

“My phone.”

Jake reaches into the back of the minivan again and pulls out a phone. “This it?”

I take it from his fingers and instantly know it’s not. “No.”

He shrugs. “It’ll be around. I’ll look in here if you want.”

Nodding, I rush out of the garage, retracing my steps, nausea churning with every stride.

How could I lose my frickin’ phone?

My heart pounds harder. They could call any second—and I won’t be able to answer. I won’t even know. Brooke’s life could depend on it.

Stupid. So stupid.

My steps quicken, breath coming faster. Every second feels like it's slipping through my fingers.

I tear through the kitchen, checking every surface—even digging through the trash just to be sure. Nothing.

Heart hammering, I head back into the ops room. Caleb and Adena are focused on the screen, talking to Silas, but I can feel their eyes on me as I move through the space—frantic but trying to stay systematic.

I retrace every step, every corner, but it’s not enough. The panic builds until I can’t hold it in anymore.

“I can’t find my phone.”

Caleb glances at Adena, and they both exchange a knowing look.

My back straightens. “You know something I don’t?”

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