Page 63 of Taken from Her
Lavender felt the scope of the threat expanded beyond her personal safety into systematic destruction of the informal networks that protected people who couldn't rely on official systems for support. Community members whose immigration status was complicated, whose small businesses operated in legal gray areas, and whose safety depended on spaces like her café remaining available and unmonitored.
"How long do you expect this temporary suspension to last?"
"Until certain federal investigations conclude without local cooperation and regular business activities can resume their normal operations." He gestured toward the surveillance equipment. "Our timeline estimates suggest that six to eight weeks should be sufficient."
Six weeks of sabotaging Diana's investigation methods, undermining community cooperation, and destroying the trust that had taken a month to build. Long enough for whatever criminal operations they were protecting to relocate or adapt, leaving the federal task force with insufficient evidence and Phoenix Ridge with renewed fear and isolation.
"I need time to consider your proposal," Lavender said.
"Of course. Time for reflection often clarifies certain priorities." He stood, checking his watch. "We'll provide comfortable accommodations while you reach your decision."
The younger woman approached with zip ties, her expression apologetic but determined. "Just a precaution," she said, securing Lavender's wrists with practiced efficiency. "The facility isn't designed for unsecured guests."
They led her through a doorway into what had obviously been a storage room converted into a makeshift holding space. There was a camping cot with clean bedding, a folding table withmore water bottles and protein bars, and a bucket with a privacy screen for sanitary needs. It was crude but functional, suggesting they'd done this before.
"Someone will check on you every few hours," the silver-haired man said from the doorway. "Please call out if you need anything urgent. Otherwise, we'll speak again in the morning about your decision."
The door closed with a solid thunk, followed by the click of a lock engaging. Lavender waited several minutes before exploring the space, testing the door's resistance and examining the walls for windows or alternative exits. Solid construction that would require tools she didn't have to breach.
She settled on the cot, pulling the thin blanket around her shoulders while her mind processed what she'd learned. This wasn't about her personally or even her relationship with Diana specifically. It was about dismantling the collaborative approach between official and unofficial channels that threatened criminal operations that required community silence to function successfully.
Diana would discover her absence soon. The federal operation would conclude, Diana would return to find the houseboat empty, and the search for her would begin. But finding her would require understanding not just who had taken her but why, and that meant recognizing how their partnership had become dangerous to people with resources and connections extending far beyond Phoenix Ridge.
Lavender closed her eyes, focusing on the memory of Diana's voice promising to come back to her. The message she'd left would guide Diana to the sea cave first, but from there, the trail would depend on Diana's analytical skills and the federal resources investigating the broader criminal network.
Six hours at most before Diana discovered her missing. Another hour to find and interpret the clue. Then the racewould begin between Diana's determination to find her and their captors' timeline for forcing cooperation.
Lavender pulled the blanket closer, drawing comfort from the certainty that Diana would never stop searching for her. The bond between them had been tested by professional complications, personal fears, and community pressures, but it had only grown stronger under stress.
This would be the ultimate test. Not just of Diana's investigative skills or federal resources, but of the love that had taught both women they were stronger together than apart.
Through the concrete walls, Lavender could hear the distant sound of water against stone, signaling to her that she was somewhere near the coast.
Lavender settled into the uncomfortable cot and began the mental work of staying strong until rescue arrived. Because it would arrive. Diana would decode the message, follow the trail, and bring her home.
She had never been more certain of anything in her life.
13
The warehouse district spread before Diana like a tactical puzzle. Three federal command vehicles formed the operational center, their communication arrays cutting through the midnight air while specialized units moved with coordinated precision toward buildings that had kept their secrets for months.
Diana stood beside Agent Jules Delacroix's mobile command center, studying surveillance feeds that showed the target locations in stark detail. After weeks of investigation, dead ends, and community fear, they were finally moving against the trafficking network that had been using Phoenix Ridge's coastal access and isolated industrial areas to transport victims across multiple states.
The scope of the operation still staggered her. Four warehouse facilities, over fifty federal agents, and her entire department were mobilized for simultaneous raids. The intelligence gathered through community cooperation—Lavender's networks, informal observations, and the trust they'd built together—had finally crystallized into actionableintelligence that could save lives and dismantle a criminal enterprise spanning the entire West Coast.
"Alpha Team, southeast approach confirmed," Lieutenant Angela Hodges' voice crackled through Diana's earpiece. "Thermal imaging shows twelve people, and movement patterns suggest operational activity."
Diana checked her tactical gear one final time, the familiar weight of kevlar and equipment heavier tonight from accumulated exhaustion and the knowledge that success here could finally end the nightmare that had consumed Phoenix Ridge for months. Around her, the joint task force prepared with focused intensity.
"Bravo Team in position," Detective Julia Scott reported from the second building. "No external security is visible, but electronic countermeasures are active. We're detecting multiple cell phone signals inside."
"Charlie Team, ready for northern approach," Detective Morgan Rivers confirmed from the communication van where banks of monitors displayed real-time intelligence feeds. "Surveillance equipment confirms this is the primary data center. Server activity is heavy; they're definitely operational tonight."
Diana studied the display on Agent Delacroix's tablet, red dots marking human signatures throughout the target buildings.
"Delta Team securing perimeter positions," Captain Michelle Reyes reported from her coordination post. "All escape routes covered, and backup units are positioned for pursuit if anyone runs."
Agent Delacroix consulted his watch, salt-and-pepper hair catching the harsh lighting from portable flood lamps. The federal task force commander had flown in from Portland specifically for this operation, bringing resources Diana's department could never have accessed alone. But whilethe federal team brought equipment, the intelligence driving tonight's raids had come from community cooperation.
