Page 26 of Searching for Valor

Shane tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Having married into a family of podcasters, I can confirm that true crime junkies, as a species, are very paranoid.”

“Look who’s talking,” Ellie said, nudging her brother-in-law with her elbow.

“Hey, my paranoia has a good cause.”

Yeah, that fucking mission that melted Shane’s once-handsome face and took Rylan’s arm. His metal fingers closed into a fist, and he wanted to put that fist through a wall and see how much damage it could do. Instead, he sent a conscious thought down to the high-tech arm, forcing each finger to open one by one.

“Are you implying our paranoia is unfounded?” Ellie countered, warming up for an argument. If there was one thing Ellie Summers loved more than true crime, it was a debate. “Know why women make up eighty percent of our listeners? Because women are statistically more likely to be stalked and are more likely to die if attacked violently by a man. Our listeners listen to feel safe, to know the kinds of dangers to look out for.” She turned back to the group. “If Grace listens to true crime, she absolutely would have locked the door. She’s a teenage girl in the middle of nowhere with her little brother and a limited phone signal. She locked it. No doubt in my mind.”

Zak walked over to the door and knelt to examine the lock. He ran his finger along the edge, his brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment, he looked up, his expression grim. “No signs of forced entry. Not even signs it was picked.“

Izzy’s face was drained of color, and Rylan took a step toward her instinctively.

She held up a hand. “Don’t. Just… don’t.” She took a shaky breath and turned to Zak. “What are you saying? That someone… let them in?”

Zak straightened. “I’m saying that if the kids themselves didn’t let them in, then someone gave them the key. Where’s Monica?”

Izzy’s lips parted as if she meant to answer, but no sound came out. She shook her head. It was the small, desperate motion of someone who didn’t want to believe the worst of a loved one. “If you’re suggesting she’d kidnap her own children… no. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t...”

“She’s the only other person who could’ve unlocked that door,” Rylan said, his voice coming out sharper than he intended. For once, it wasn’t Izzy who had his nerves frayed and his anger sizzling just below the surface. It was the relentless memories, and he shouldn’t take them out on her.

But he did.

Because she was the easiest target.

And he was an asshole.

Her eyes flashed. “No. You’re wrong. Monica loves those kids more than anything. She would never put them in danger like this.”

“Okay, let’s watch the rest of the video before we jump to conclusions,” Shane said.

Pierce hit play again, and the team watched in tense silence. They couldn’t see what was happening inside the cabin, but seconds later, the man emerged with Noah tossed over his shoulder. The other waited to the side of the door for Grace to appear. She burst outside and took a few steps into the yard, looking panicked, obviously calling out for her brother. The second man grabbed her from behind, clamping a gloved hand over her mouth. She thrashed in his grip, but he was too strong. He dragged her backward, out of frame.

Izzy made a choked noise, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh God...”

The men headed for the tree line. Just before they reached it, a third figure emerged from the shadows. Shorter, slighter. A woman.

The team leaned forward collectively, straining to make out details in the grainy footage.

“It’s not Monica,” Izzy said, but she didn’t sound confident.

“You sure about that?” Rylan challenged, his anger still simmering dangerously close to the surface. “Because the way I see it, she knew something was coming. She sent her kids to that cabin, didn’t she? Then she tells you they’re gone and disappears herself when she should be looking for them.”

Izzy whirled to face him. “That doesn’t mean she’s involved in their abduction. She’s scared of something. She sent themhere because she was trying to protect them.” She pointed at the screen. “Trying to prevent this.”

“Or she’s trying to cover her tracks.”

Izzy flinched as if he’d struck her, but her eyes blazed with defiance. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” He took a step closer, his voice low and cutting. “I’ve seen plenty of people do terrible things when they’re desperate. You really think your friend’s above that?”

“Yes,” Izzy said firmly, her chin lifting. “Because I know her.”

Rylan barked out a bitter laugh. “Yeah, well, your judgment hasn’t exactly been stellar lately.”

The words were out before he could stop them, and he instantly regretted it. Izzy’s face crumpled, but she quickly masked the hurt with anger.

“That’s low,” she said quietly. “I made the only decision I could three months ago, and you know what? I’d make it again. Any of you would have done the same if you were put in that position. So all of you can just fuck right off. I’ll find the kids myself.”

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