Hank wandered back and forth for a few seconds nose in the air as though looking for the scent. Chloe called to him and when he trotted over, she opened the bag with the phone to let him take another sniff. Within seconds, Hank had the scent again and was at the end of the lead ready to keep going.
Thirty minutes later, they’d passed several houses and Hank never once showed any interest in veering from his path. And then he went to the right. His new direction took them next to a gravel driveway.
“Look,” Chloe panted. “There. A barn.” She pulled Hank to a stop. “Good job, boy.” She scratched his ears and praised him to let him know he’d done his job well. Hank’s entire body vibrated with happiness while Chloe’s muscles added another layer of tension.
Oh please, God, let Rachel be in there.
15
Think there’s a walking trail around it?” Blake asked as they moved back and out of sight should anyone look out a window.
“Only one way to find out. But I don’t want to scare them. I think we need to keep a low profile until we canvass the place. They might have it rigged to alert them if anyone comes up the drive. I wouldn’t think they do, though, if Rachel was able to walk away without alerting them. Still need to check.”
Blake nodded and planted his hands on his hips. Sweat ringed his armpits and dripped down the side of his face. He lifted the hem of his now untucked shirt to wipe it off while he fought the urge to storm the house, yelling Rachel’s name. “Good idea. You and Hank stay here. I’ll go find a window.”
“They’ll have cameras,” Chloe said. “You can’t just walk up to the front door—or even around the house. They’ll spot you in a heartbeat.”
“I agree,” Linc said, his voice echoing in Blake’s ear and sounding like he was standing right next to him. “About six miles from the store. Impressive dog you’ve got there, Chloe.”
“I know.” But she smiled.
“Humble handler too.” He paused. “All right, here’s what we’re going to do. Stay out of sight for now. The chopper is going to make a pass and see what’s on the other side of the house, around the barn, and if there’s a walking trail that can be seen from the air. If so, I’d say it’s likely we’ve got the right place. Backup is on the way, but coming in quiet.”
Blake chafed at the waiting. Rachel was probably in that house and he wanted to go get her. Now.
He caught Chloe’s gaze with his. She’d been watching for a few seconds, he realized. And knew exactly what he was thinking. With a quick shake of her head, she expressed what she thought. He grimaced and nodded.
Federal agents arrived in force. Linc stepped out of his sedan and approached them. “ERT is en route,” he said. “They’ll be ready to take over to find all the evidence we need to put these guys away for good once any arrests and rescues are made.”
“Good,” Blake said, bouncing on his toes. Several ambulances were on standby and out of sight, but would arrive within seconds of being notified they had victims ready for transport. He prayed Rachel didn’t need one—or any of the other girls.
“Chloe,” Linc said.
“Yes?”
“You and Hank be ready. We’ll want him to help clear the house. Might as well use him while we have him.”
“We’ll be ready. Just let us know.”
Blake shook his head. Chloe had given Hank his rope and he sat at her feet chewing on it, happy to be right where he was. They could all learn a lesson from the dog.
Linc pressed a finger to his ear and listened. Blake could hear every word through his own earpiece. “This is Chopper Two. There are no vehicles on the property. No visible weapons. No sign of movement from the house.” A pause. “And there appears to be something that could be a walking trail that circles the property.”
“This is it,” Blake said. “It has to be.”
Chloe nodded. “Hank wanted to keep going, but I didn’t want to let him, in case someone saw him. This is the place. I can feel it in my gut.”
“Me too.” Blake shifted, never taking his eyes from the front door.
Linc tilted his head at Chloe. “Stay behind us as we approach, okay?”
“Got it.”
His gaze shifted to Blake. “You can listen in. When we find Rachel, we’ll send her out to you.”
Blake started to protest, but Linc’s hard-eyed stare said it would fall on deaf ears. He clenched his jaw, but nodded his assent.
Linc raised his arm and motioned for the team to move in, slowly.
Heart in his throat, Blake watched them go. All he could do was pray that no one started shooting.
Chloe stayed behind the line of special agents until they started breaking off into different directions. Thanks to the earpiece Linc had given her, she could hear the commands being given by her brother. She stayed with the two agents ordered to cover the door. They took up posts on opposite sides. Chloe shadowed the agent on the right, staying behind him. He’d be first through the door and she and Hank would be right behind.
Chloe followed the soft chatter coming through the earpiece. She looked back over her shoulder but could see nothing. If anyone had missed their arrival but were now looking out a window, they’d never know a team of agents had them surrounded. The agent in front of her reached out and tried the knob. He nodded. “It’s open.”
“We’re ready here in the back. On three,” came the voice through the earpiece.
“One . . . two . . . three.”
And then they were inside. Chloe held Hank back for just a moment before rounding the doorjamb and stepping into the foyer. Weapon in her right hand, leash in her left, she followed, eyes scanning. Hank knew the drill, they’d practiced this very type of exercise over and over. And done it again. His ears swiveled and his nose twitched as they walked through the home.
“Clear!”
“Clear!”
“Barn’s clear too,” someone else said.
“She’s not there?” Blake’s quiet voice came through the earpiece. So did his despair.
“We’re not done yet, Blake,” Chloe said.
Linc exited the kitchen and nodded to her. “Let Hank do his thing.”
Chloe nodded and holstered her weapon. “Hank, volg.”
Hank came right to her left side and looked up at her.
“Hank, find the dope.”
The animal went to work, his lead running through her hands as she let him have his freedom to roam at will, looking for any drugs. Chloe monitored his behavior closely. His mouth was mostly closed, which meant he was using his nose to take up scents. And his ears. Hank’s ears always told her if he found something. Over the years, she’d learned to read him, know his traits, and know when he was on the trail. Right now, something had caught his attention. But what?
He went through the kitchen to the back door of the house and sat. “What’s he doing?” Linc asked.
Chloe opened the door. “He wants out.” She followed Hank out into the backyard to a wooden porch with a large outdoor rug. He pawed at it, then sat and looked at Chloe. “Guys? Come over here.”
Linc jogged over to her. “What is it?”
She pointed. “Can you move that?”
“Why?”
“Because Hank says to.”
“Right.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Blake approach, followed by two other special agents. His fists opened and closed at his sides.
They’d probably taken pity on him once they cleared the house and let him come closer.
His eyes locked on hers and the desperation there nearly took her to her knees. She had to find something that would help lead them to Rachel and, hopefully, Penny as well.
Linc and another agent moved the heavy rug, exposing a double door.
“A cellar,” she said. “Get this lock off.”
Hank paced, nosing at the door, then walked back to her to sit at her side.
“Hold on, boy. We’re getting there.”