Page 86 of Twice Missing
"I'm going with you," she insisted, her jaw set in determination.
"If what we think is going down is happening, we need someone to block the road," Noah explained.
Callie shook her head. "Do you honestly think they're going to stop their truck? Hell no. I'm going with you," she said. She was already in uniform, ready for action.
McKenzie shot Noah a look, and he shrugged, knowing there was no point in arguing.
The owner of the house came out, his breath visible in the cold air. "Can I ask what this is about?" he called, concern evident in his voice.
"Just police matters. Go back inside," Callie said firmly, her tone brooking no argument.
As the homeowner retreated, Noah surveyed his small team.
They trudged through the forest, the crunch of snow beneath their boots echoing in the stillness. Twilight was settling in, the fading light of the setting sun casting long shadows through the trees. It provided just enough visibility to navigate without resorting to flashlights.
"You can always rely on some dumb sonofabitch to take the bait," McKenzie muttered, his breath visible in the cold air.
"Greed is a great motivator," Callie added, her voice low.
Noah shook his head. "Fear is even better," he said. "I don't think it's greed driving Nathan. I think Ashford and the cartel are breathing down his neck. Emily's disappearance was a warning, her death a confirmation that they follow through on their threats. That's how Luther operates. Keeping everyone on a leash, at a distance."
"And what better timing than a few days out from Christmas," McKenzie observed. "Most folks are either busy with last-minute shopping or have already nestled in for the holidays."
As they reached the tree line bordering the resort, they crouched low, taking in the scene before them. The Cove sprawled out in front of them, a luxurious log cabin resort that seemed out of place in the wilderness. Its large windows glowed with warm light. Nathan's blue F-150 truck was parked outside, its presence confirming their suspicions.
"Now we wait," Noah said, holding up his phone to record. Time crawled by, the cold seeping through their clothes despite their layers. Darkness had fully enveloped them, the stars twinkling overhead in the clear night sky.
Nearly two hours passed before a pair of bright headlights cut through the forest, accompanied by the low rumble of a diesel engine. A large 18-wheeler delivery vehicle lumbered down the road, veering into the resort's driveway.
"Here we go," Noah whispered, inching closer and squinting into the darkness.
The truck's air brakes hissed as it came to a stop. The driver's door opened, and a man stepped out. From the passenger side, two more men emerged. Nathan appeared from the resort, his eyes darting nervously around before he shook hands with the driver and made his way to the rear of the truck.
The heavy doors of the trailer swung open with ametallic groan. One by one, women of various ages began to jump out, their faces a mix of fear and uncertainty.
"Looks like Santa came early," McKenzie muttered darkly. "Just say the word."
Noah took a deep breath, his heart racing. "Move in!" he commanded quietly.
The three of them burst from the treeline, guns at the ready. "Police! Get on the ground!" Noah shouted, his voice shattering the night's silence.
Chaos erupted instantly. The three men who had exited the passenger side drew handguns, opening fire. Muzzle flashes lit up the night as bullets whizzed past, thudding into trees and kicking up snow. Nathan bolted for the resort, disappearing inside as the women screamed and scattered. Some dropped to the ground, other women crawled back into the truck, while a few made a desperate dash for the cabin.
Noah, McKenzie, and Callie returned fire, diving for cover behind trees and the nearby vehicles. The air filled with the deafening crack of gunshots and the acrid smell of cordite. Noah's heart pounded in his ears as he leaned out from behind a tree, squeezing off two quick shots. One of the gunmen cried out, clutching his shoulder as he stumbled and fell.
The other man ducked back into the truck, emerging moments later with automatic rifles. The night erupted with a hail of bullets, forcing the three officers to keep their heads down.
"Cover me!" Noah shouted over the din. McKenzie and Callie nodded, laying down suppressing fire as Noahsprinted from his position. He dove, rolling under the truck and coming out on the other side. In one fluid motion, he rose to his feet, pressing his gun to the back of the man's head. "Drop it," he growled.
The man froze, then slowly lowered his weapon. As Noah secured him, Callie approached the terrified women, her voice calm and reassuring as she guided them to safety.
McKenzie, meanwhile, advanced on the resort. "Nathan! Sheriff's Office. Come on out!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the sudden silence.
Noah secured handcuffs on the subdued gunman, the metal clicking into place with a sense of finality. He nodded to Callie, silently communicating his trust in her to handle the situation outside. With a deep breath, he joined McKenzie at the cabin's entrance, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared determination. A quick nod passed between them, a wordless agreement of their next move.
They burst through the main door, weapons at the ready. The two-story great room stretched before them, its grandeur almost obscene in the face of the human trafficking operation they'd just disrupted.
A massive stone fireplace dominated one wall, its hearth large enough to stand in. The dancing flames cast flickering shadows across the room, adding an eerie quality to the already tense atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined the opposite wall, offering what would normally be breathtaking panoramic views of the lake.
