Page 86 of Tactical Revival

“Then I’ve got you, girl,” Bianca replies. “I’m an excellent shot, and I know what I’m doing.” She walks in and takes off her jacket.

“Okay, well—have some coffee, Jaxson didn’t touch it.” Lanetti crosses over to me and wraps her arms around me. “Be safe, Jaxson Payne. I still want to go fishing.”

I make it to the hospital in record time.

By the time I’ve gotten into the waiting room, Pastor Redding, Michael, Lance, Silas, and Elijah are all waiting for me.

“Where’s Matty?” He’s my first concern. Was he there when Chad was shot? Was he taken, too?”

“With my parents,” Michael replies. “He’s been there all day. They have him at the house, and Sheriff Vick sent a deputy over.”

There’s at least a sliver of good news then. “How long has she been gone?”

“Security footage shows her leaving twenty minutes ago with someone dressed all in black. They were wearing a mask, so we couldn’t get a good look at their face.”

“Why wasn’t someone watching the monitors? Why didn’t anyone intervene?” I demand.

“Whoa.” Lance holds up his hands. “There was no alarm that went off, and the fire damaged the exterior and lobby cameras.”

“I can’t—she can’t be missing.” I try to suck in a breath, try to do anything to rationalize. “Why was Chad there? Did he have something to do with this? Partnership gone wrong?”

Michael shakes his head. “As much as I wish I could pin this on him, he was there to apologize.” He reaches into his pocket and withdraws an envelope. “Found this. It’s an apology note and a check for three thousand dollars.”

I stare at it. “It could be a lie. He could be trying to throw us off.”

Elijah crosses his arms. “I don’t think so, brother.”

“Do we have anything? Any lead to follow?”

“Not so far. We have to wait for contact?—”

“This is Margot!” I yell. “There’s no waiting! We have to move!”

Michael crosses over and plants both hands on my shoulders. “Breathe,” he says. “I want to find my sister, too, but if we act rashly, we’re bound to make mistakes.”

I know he’s right.

I’m trying to remain calm.

But Margot is everything to me. What if I lose her?

My cell rings, so I reach into my pocket and withdraw it, halfway expecting to see an unknown number. Instead, my former partner’s name flashes on the screen. “She’s missing,” I say into the phone.

“Who’s missing?”

“Margot. He took her.”

“Oh no.” Alaric is quiet a moment. “I got nothing from the sister. I really don’t think it’s him, man.”

“It has to be. Somehow.” I try to take a breath, but I can’t focus on anything but how terrified Margot must be. Is she hurt? Is she even alive?

“Look, I’m booking a flight. I’ll be there in a few hours.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t. But you’re like a brother to me, Jaxson, and I know you have your new family out there with those security guys, but my feelings for you will never change. I’ll let you know what time my plane lands, and I’ll meet you at your office.”

Normally I’d insist he not come out. But he’s the only other person who worked that case with me. The only one who knows Morah like I do. “Thanks, man.”

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