Page 53 of Talon
“Just hold tight for a few minutes, we need to gather some intel before we race out of here.”
Talon fought the urge to pace, but two grown men pacing the small space would only get more in the way of the women working and the last thing he wanted was to make things more difficult for any of them.
He didn't know how much time had passed when the door opened again, and Ghost and Walt came back inside.Watt caught Talon's eye and shook his head.Talon let his shoulders slump.He’d been hoping she'd climbed inside to avoid an animal and had maybe fallen asleep.
"Good news and bad news," Ghost announced as soon as he'd closed the door."She's not in the car, but that was a long shot anyway."
"What's the good news then?"Lurch said, clearly impatient, not that Talon could blame him.He'd becoming out of his skin if it was Madison missing.Without thinking about it, his gaze went to her, as if he had to make sure she was still there and safe.
"Good news is that I spotted two pairs of footprints headed off the path to the north.''
Lurch's head shot up from where he'd sat in one of the chairs at the table and let his head fall into his hands when he'd heard she wasn't in her car."A trail?We didn't see anything," he said.
Ghost didn't reply, just nodded as he went to the pot and filled a to go mug with coffee.The door opened and Malice and Bonnie came in and made their way to the table.
“Fill your mugs and line up," Madison said, "I know you're going out to look for her, but you need fuel too."
Talon joined the line forming and accepted a foil wrapped burrito when it was his turn.
"There are plenty, so if you want if more, stop by when you're close.I'll keep coffee on all day, and we'll hold down the fort."She turned to Bonnie."Thanks for your help but if you’ll go out with the guys, there can be one more team.I'll stay here with Robyn so there’s two of us here."
"Ghost said there were two sets of prints, what if whoever took Kerry comes for you?"Bonnie asked.
"I’m prepared for that."She patted her hip where Talon knew she carried her pistol."But I'll lock the doors, just in case."
"Wait!"Heather's voice and the way she called out had everyone turning in her direction."Does she have her phone on her?"
"Damn, I'm slow this morning," Jake said going back to laptop still open on the table.He typed from truly for a moment."Son of a bitch!"He slammed his fist onto the table beside the computer."Whoever's got her either found the phone and turned it off or took her where there is no signal."
“Did you learn anything?maybe a direction?"Heather asked.
Jake stared at for a second then turned his attention back to the computer."Hot damn.Lynnie, I love you!"he said.After a moment or two."It took a little digging, but I was able to get into her GPS history.I can see where she left your place," he glanced at Lurch, “then where she left the path.You were right."Jake's gaze flicked to Ghost, then back to the screen.'They started at going north, but it looks like they circled around all the buildings and went south.Signal must have gotten spotty, because there are gaps where she disappears then pops back up farther south."
"This changes things," Ghost spoke up."We no longer have to go out searching blind.We have a good idea where to go."He glanced around as if waiting to see if anyone protested then continued, "I want you and all the women except Heather to stay here."He turned to Jake."That way you can monitor the signal and send out updates to the rest of us.Start with her last known coordinates."Ghost turned to face the rest of the room.
"I want me, Malice and Lurch on dirt bikes.We'll take the fastest route to her last known position, adjusting for any updates."He turned to Talon."I want you and Heather to hold back for now, but be ready with the first aid kit.Don't put it in a vehicle yet because you may end up on ATVs or in a pickup depending on where we find her and what kind of shape she's in."
Talon saw a shudder pass through Bonnie at the words.Without saying anything, Malice tugged her close and kissed the top of her head.She tilted her head toward him until it rested on his shoulder.
"Any questions?"Ghost said, looking around the room.“All right, then let’s get moving.”
“I’ve already sent out the coordinates, you should all have them,” Jake said as those of us heading out made their way to the door.Heather and Talon hanging back, letting the others go first since they would be in less of a rush, at least right now.
38
“Weneedmoremen,”Jake said from the table where he still sat bent over his laptop.
Madison didn’t think they needed anyone here to watch over them, but she understood why Ghost told him to stay here.Being able to watch the GPS for Kerry’s location to change, and update them when it did, would be invaluable in rescuing her.And while Madison had no idea who might have taken her, there was no doubt in her mind that it was a rescue mission.
Madison kept her ears open as she went about cleaning up the kitchen.Who knew what kind of shape Kerry would be in and Madison wanted a clean space to take care of any medical needs she might have.At least anything that could be treated here.She hoped there was nothing bad enough she’d have to be taken to the hospital.But she couldn’t think about that now.Thinking about how hurt her new friend might be, without any way to know or find out any time soon, was a slow path to driving herself nuts.
Instead, she would keep herself busy.When the kitchen was clean, she went in the living room to check on Robyn.
“How you feeling?”Madison asked as she crouched next to the sofa, hoping to put Robyn at ease by being on her own level.
“I’m okay.It will pass in a bit then I can get on with my life.I just feel bad that I can’t go help,” Robyn said without opening her eyes.
“Things have changed since you came in here.I don’t know how much you heard.”Madison didn’t want to repeat everything if Robyn already knew, but didn’t want the woman who was already not feeling well to panic or worry because she was holding back their being able to find Kerry.
