Page 89 of Her Final Hours
Noah opened his window as Callie approached, her face flushed from the cold. He wasted no time with pleasantries and cut straight to the chase, his voice laced with urgency. “Did you find Payton?” he asked, his eyes searching Callie’s face for any sign of hope.
Her expression sank, and she shook her head slowly. “No. We’ve searched everywhere we could think of, but there’s no sign of Payton. I’m sorry.”
Noah’s heart ached, his mind racing. He needed to focus on the task, the exchange that would hopefully bring Mia back tohim. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to push aside the painful memories resurfacing. “Is the money all there?” he inquired, his gaze shifting to McKenzie as he loaded to two duffel bags in the back of the Bronco.
Callie nodded, leaning against the vehicle, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “For the most part. A lot of it is forged notes from drug busts, stuff we can afford to lose, and some of it’s legit. We did our best, considering the short notice.”
“Is the girl with the state troopers?” she asked.
He nodded.
“You wearing your vest?” Callie asked.
“Yeah.”
“Look, we’ve got Alicia in position, like you asked, but it’s risky. We don’t know what Frank has in mind. Are you sure about this, Noah?”
A small smile crept onto Noah’s face, his worry hidden beneath. “When have I ever been? The main thing is Payton’s daughter is safe. That’s what matters right now.”
“It’s Mia and you I’m worried about.”
He looked out into the windy weather. “I hear you. But as you said, Alicia is out there. She knows the terrain better than us.”
Callie tapped the top of Noah’s Bronco, a touch sending a cold chill through her bones. “Listen, the lodge has been alerted. The few people there are on lockdown; there was no time to evacuate them. We’ve hidden a tracker in one of the bags. Frank won’t find it, but it should help us locate him. We’ve blocked off all the roads within a twenty-mile radius, and the border authorities have been notified. He’s not getting away.”
Noah’s gaze shifted from her to the swirling snowflakes. He knew the risks involved but also had done everything he could to prepare. Callie continued, “Play it safe. Give him the money, and do the exchange. We’ll get it back and scoop him up later.”
Noah nodded in agreement, his determination mirrored in her eyes.
Noah’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as he glanced again at the bags in his rearview mirror. The weight of the situation settled heavily upon him, but he couldn’t allow fear to consume him. He had a plan; however risky it may be, he was determined to see it through.
With a nod of reassurance to Callie, Noah rolled up the window, sealing himself inside the warmth of his vehicle. The storm outside intensified, the gusts of wind shaking it as if nature was echoing the turmoil within his heart.
Noah peeled away, veering onto Heart Lake Road, the path leading south, flanked by towering trees on either side. The trees of the forest loomed ominously, their skeletal branches reaching out like gnarled fingers in the dim light. The storm continued its relentless assault, the snowflakes swirling in a frenzy, creating a whiteout that obscured his vision.
As he approached the campground, memories from his teenage years flooded back, intertwining with the present moment. The Adirondack Lodge & Heart Lake Program Center had been a place of joy and adventure for him and Payton, but now it held a darker significance — a place of loss and pain.
Noah could make out the visitor’s center through the thick curtain of snow, a modest building nestled amidst the wintry landscape. Its wooden exterior stood in stark contrast to the surrounding wilderness. A few cars, belonging to those who braved the storm to seek shelter at the lodge, were scattered in the parking lot.
Beyond the trees, Noah glimpsed the frozen lake, its icy surface covered in snow. The sight stirred mixed emotions with him — admiration but a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked beyond.
He parked his Bronco in a clearing, the engine’s growl fadinginto the backdrop of the storm. Glancing at his watch, he noted he was a few minutes early. He slipped an earpiece into place, establishing communication with Alicia. The crackling sound of the storm filled his ear as he spoke. “Can you hear me?”
“I got you. I’m in position. Damn cold here.” Her voice crackled through the earpiece.
Noah scanned the area, searching for any sign of Frank or Mia. “You see anything?” he asked.
There was a brief pause, then Alicia responded. “Nothing yet.”
He swallowed hard, the weight of it all crushing down on him. He couldn’t get this wrong. He couldn’t lose her. “Alicia, I make the exchange first. Once Mia is with me, take the shot. Not before,” he instructed.
“You got it,” she affirmed, steady and unwavering.
His pulse sped up, the sound of his heart drowning out the howling wind. He kept his eyes peeled, scanning the area for any sign of the man he was about to face. Callie’s description of Frank resonated in his mind — a weasel of a man with a mismatched head and a labor-hardened body.
As anxiety began to gnaw at him, his phone rang, breaking the silence. Noah answered it, his voice strained. “Where are you?”
Frank’s voice slithered through the line, slow and menacing. “Look off to your right.”
