Page 186 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

Jamie laughed. “Maybe you will Cole but it won’t make much difference. Maddie’s going to die either way and you’re helpless to stop it. Just like you’ll be helpless to stop them from taking everything else from you.”

Jamie jabbed the knife again, this time harder and Cole winced as he felt it slide into his skin like butter.

He twisted quickly, ignoring the pain, ignoring as the knife ripped through him and grasped it in his hand, forcing Jamie’s hand back and shoving it hard into his abdomen.

Jamie gasped as the blade punctured him.

“The problem with you Jamie.” Cole said as he yanked the blade completely free and plunged it again as his other hand held Jamie so that he couldn’t get away. “Is that you’ve always been a cocky little shit.” He snarled stabbing him again this time where his stomach was. “You’ve always been too big for your boots.” He stabbed him again. “Thought you were a right hot shot when you’re nothing.” He said this time driving the blade up under his ribs. “You’re a pathetic piece of shit. No one will even care when you’re dead. No one will even notice. That’s how insignificant you are. That’s how worthless your life has been.” He snarled stabbing him once more right in the chest, right between his rib cage, leaving the blade embedded in him and letting Jamie fall back had onto the floor, gasping and choking on his blood.

“That’s last one was from Maddie.” He said stepping over him and yanking the door open.

Aidan and every other Agent raised their weapons and Cole smirked. “Clear the house.”

“Get looking for Maddie.” He added looking at Brandon.

“Any ideas where?” Brandon asked.

“Not a fucking clue.” Cole growled as he walked back up to him.

“You’re bleeding.” Brandon said staring at his palm where Cole’s blood was pouring from a wound.

“I stabbed the fucker.” He said.

“Medic.” Brandon said over the radio. “You cut anywhere else?” He asked Cole.

“Yeah he got me in my back.”

“Let them fix you up. We’ll find Maddie.” Brandon said.

“I’m not just standing here while you look for her.”

“And I’m not going to let you die because your pride and your ego is taking over.” Brandon snapped back.

“It’s not my pride.” Cole said. “ And I’m not going to die from a small cut.”

Brandon shook his head opening his mouth to retort but Doug was running up to them he fell silent.

“We should stop looking for heat sources and look for soil disturbance.” Doug said.

“What’s that?” Cole asked.

“Ground penetrating radar. It’ll show where the grounds been dug up. We’ll have a much better chance of finding her that way than simply looking for a heat source.” Doug explained.

“Do we have that equipment?” Brandon asked.

Doug smirked. “Of course we do.”

“Get on it. And get the diggers in, I want us digging the moment we know where to go.”

“Roger that.” Doug said running off.

---