Page 81 of No Going Back

“It’s blocked, but not completely. Let me show you.” Sam got up, and they waited while he carefully made his way out. A wall of rubble came into view. “The elevator is the other side of this. The slabs of concrete are too big for me to move, but” — Sam aimed the phone higher — “there’s a gap at the top.”

Tyler studied the screen with the rest of them. The ceiling was gone, but the metal supports remained in place. There was about two feet between the top of the wall of rubble and the supports.

“The rubble at the top seems smaller,” Sam added, “but I don’t want to move anything and risk the rest of the fucking building caving in.”

“No, don’t touch anything,” Max said.

“What about going over the top?” Dex asked.

“It would be really tight, but we could get a backboard through there, maybe hoist her over,” Tyler suggested. He found his voice came easier just working on a problem.

Max stayed focused on the screen. “All depends on how solid that wall of rubble is. Sam, can you give me a wider angle?”

Sam moved back. There looked to be no other way around. Going over the top or dismantling the wall of rubble were the only options.

“Alright, I’m sending my men down to assess the stability, then we’ll go from there. They’ll have head cams, so I will be able to see exactly what we’re looking at. The boys have opened up the hole, so you are getting some oxygen in there. How much battery you got left on your phone?”

“About 25 percent.”

“I might need to speak to you again, to help my guys from that side, so save some of your juice.”

“Whatever you need. I’m sure you know Mira’s condition is serious. If we can get her over the top and out let’s do it. We can worry about me after.”

“We’re getting both of you out of there. Sit tight.” Max glanced at Tyler. “Won’t be long now.”

“Thanks, Max. If there's anything I can do...”

Max started walking away. “Yeah. Find a body shop. That was my truck you put a dent in,” he called out before getting on his radio.

Tyler stared after him. He’d been way out of line with Max and dented his vehicle, but the man seemed unconcerned by both. Jesus, he owed him a huge case of beer.

“Hey, boys,” Sam said, “I’m going to sign off and save some battery like Max suggested. If there’s any change with Mira, I’ll let you know.” The laptop went black.

Tyler looked around. Now the shaft was clear, the rest of the guys were resting, grabbing a drink. There wasn’t much more anyone could do but wait.

Kelly walked toward them holding another laptop.

“What’s going on?” Tyler asked as she got close.

Kelly set up the laptop next to the other one and brought up a picture of a town house.

“The Reborn video was sent from an IP coming from this house.”

“Are you sure?” Dale sounded somewhat shocked.

“Yes. While we were waiting, I decided to look into it. It looks like whoever sent the video did so in a rush. It was sent outside the dark web, allowing me to not only get the IP address of the computer it was sent from, but to trace it. This house is fifteen minutes away.”

“I’ll get a team together now. Do we know if anyone is there?”

“I haven’t seen any movement, but there’s a car on the drive. Can’t see the plates.”

“Dale, your agents are scattered and shook up. We got two teams right here,” Liam said.

Dale looked between Liam and Dex, and then glanced at Tyler. “Alright. Liam, you and Nyx, with me, let’s go. Dex, you good here?”

“Yeah, go. I got this.”

Tyler, with Raven ringed around him, watched Dale, Liam, and Nyx walk away. Hopefully, they would go and nail the bastards who did this.

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