Page 48 of Taken from Her
Lavender nodded, her hand finding Diana’s shoulder for a brief moment of connection that steadied them both. Diana led them deeper into the underbrush, using deer trails and natural cover to put distance between themselves and the voices. Her radio remained useless, static being the only response to repeated attempts at contact.
“They’re moving,” someone called from behind them. “Northeast quadrant.”
Professional calls. These weren’t random criminals but organized opposition with tactical training and communication equipment that worked where hers didn’t.
Lavender pointed toward a cluster of fallen trees that created natural fortification. “We can get cover and see them coming.”
Diana evaluated the position quickly: good defensive cover, multiple exit routes, and an elevated position that would givethem an advantage. Lavender’s intuition was proving as valuable as any police training.
They reached the fallen trees as the voices grew closer, Diana helping Lavender over the massive trunk before taking position where she could observe their backtrail. She caught her first clear view of their pursuers: three figures in tactical gear moving with military precision through terrain they obviously knew well. Not stumbling through the underbrush like casual hikers but flowing around obstacles with efficiency.
The lead figure raised a radio, speaking too quietly for Diana to overhear, but his body language suggested he was coordinating with additional people.
“How many people are we dealing with?” Lavender asked, reading Diana’s expression.
“At least three confirmed, possibly more.” Diana kept her weapon trained on the approaching figures while her mind worked through scenarios. “They’ve got communications, tactical gear, and in-depth environmental knowledge.”
“What do they want?”
Diana thought about the surveillance equipment in the clearing, the maps marked with victim locations, and the careful planning that had gone into studying three women’s most private routines.
“To eliminate witnesses,” Diana said grimly.
The lead figure stopped fifty yards from their position, raising his voice. “Chief Marten, you’re in violation of a federal investigation. Surrender your weapon and escort the civilian to our position for debriefing.”
Federal investigation. The words hit Diana like ice water.
“They’re not local,” she whispered to Lavender. “This goes beyond just Phoenix Ridge.”
“Are they really federal agents?”
Diana studied the gear and their professional movements. They were either legitimate federal law enforcement or people with access to federal resources and training.
Either way, she and Lavender were trapped.
“We need to move,” Diana decided. “Now, while they’re talking instead of advancing.”
She led Lavender away from the fallen trees, using a game trail that wound toward higher ground. If they could reach the ridge line, they might find cell coverage to call for backup.
The voices fell silent behind them, replaced by the sound of coordinated movement through the underbrush. Diana’s protective instincts overrode everything else. Lavender needed to survive this. Whatever was happening, whoever these people really were, Lavender had only stumbled into this danger because Diana had brought her here.
“Can you make it to the ridge?” Diana asked, noting how Lavender moved through the forest with confidence despite her obvious fear.
“Yes, there’s a trail junction up there with better cell reception.”
Diana’s radio crackled suddenly, catching fragments of transmission. “...backup units…GPS coordinates…federal jurisdiction…”
Someone was coordinating a larger operation. This wasn’t just about silencing witnesses but about controlling information.
They reached the ridge as Diana’s radio finally connected clearly. “All units, this is Chief Marten. Officer needs assistance. GPS coordinates following. Federal agents on scene, situation unclear.”
“Acknowledged, Chief. Units responding, ETA twelve minutes.”
Twelve minutes felt like an eternity with tactical pursuit closing behind them.
“Diana,” Lavender said, pointing toward the valley below where additional vehicles were arriving at the forest access points. “They’re surrounding the area.”
Diana counted at least six vehicles, more personnel than any local investigation would require. This was either a major federal operation or something that needed to look like one.
