Page 57 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)

Graham gradually lowered his arms and awkwardly patted Bit on the back. He was concerned about Brook and had been alone today after being part of a team for the last three to four years. Although tough decisions had to be made, he managed the situation effectively.

“We'll get her out,” Graham said, his voice firm with a confidence he willed himself to feel. “It looks as if the rescue operation is already forming. They know what they're doing.”

Bit pulled back, using the sleeve of his hoodie to wipe his face.

“What if she didn't survive the?—”

“Don't,” Graham interrupted abruptly, refusing to let the idea take shape into words. “I’d sense it if something like that occurred. Our focus should be on what we know, not on our fears. Brook is resourceful and has encountered tougher challenges than this.”

“If I’m right, Jacob has had years to plan this. He knows those tunnels like the back of his hand,” Bit said as he lifted his laptop and settled back into the driver’s seat of the SUV. The screen was filled with topographical maps and what appeared to be thermal imaging data. “I’ve pulled up some diagrams that he might have had access to back in 2014. These ice caves are known to shift over time, but the main tunnels should still be the same.”

“Then it’s a good thing Brook knows how he thinks.” Graham grabbed the side of the door. “You mentioned in your message that the ice cave goes through the mountain. Sylvie and Theo are still on the other side, right?”

“A team reached the cabin hours ago. Forensics finished about thirty minutes ago, collecting…well, you know. They are in the process of transporting the evidence down the mountain now.”

“But Sylvie and Theo are still on site?”

“Little T radioed me about five minutes ago. They were getting ready to head down the mountain themselves. I figure they’ll be here within the next couple of hours.”

Graham gestured toward the satellite radio on the dashboard.

“Ask them to stay.”

Bit studied Graham for a moment before reaching for the device.

“What are you thinking, General?”

“The teams nearby are determining the safest way into the ice cave, considering Brook and the others' current positions. Standard rescue protocols aim to reduce risks for both the victims and the rescuers. Hours have passed without a consensus on a method.” Graham cast Bit a challenging look. “They aren’t thinking the way Brook is.”

“Because Boss’ first instinct is to rely on the profile. Keeping Jacob contained in one spot for that many hours gives him too much of an advantage, doesn’t it?” Bit quickly turned back to his laptop. He shifted it so that Graham could get a better visual of the screen. “And if we’re assuming that Jacob knows those passageways, then Boss isn’t on this side of the mountain anymore. Depending on the tunnel system, it would take them seven to ten hours, which means that she and the others are probably already closing in on the other exit.”

“That’s right, Bit.” Graham motioned for Bit to get out of the SUV. “You contact Sylvie and Theo while I drive. We’ll let the assessment team continue with their plans just in case we’re wrong.”

Bit closed his laptop and scrambled out of the driver’s seat. He made his way around the front of the SUV while Graham slid in behind the wheel. He closed the driver's door firmly before starting the engine. Fortunately, the vehicle's dash displayed a full tank of gas.

“While you’re on the radio, make sure there are two ATVs ready for us in Silverton. With the forensics team already on the way down the mountain, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Graham maneuvered the SUV around the perimeter of the command area, steering clear of the central activity. A state trooper at the edge of the clearing shot them a questioning glance but did not attempt to stop them. As they finally pulled onto the main road and passed the media vans, Graham allowed his thoughts to shift to Brook.

She was smart, resourceful, and knew Jacob better than anyone else on earth.

It wasn’t the treacherous landscape of the ice cave that would pose a difficulty for Brook. It was the duplicitous psychological terrain of her brother's mind. She would need to use his narcissism against him if she were to reach both finish lines.

28

Brooklyn Sloane

June 2025

Thursday — 12:28 am

After eight hours of trudging through the ice cave, following hours of hiking up a mountain, Brook’s muscles felt as heavy as lead. Deep exhaustion weighed her down, threatening to blur her thoughts. Yet, intermittently, an infuriating whistle echoed against the icy walls. That sound scraped at her nerves, reminiscent of fingernails on a chalkboard. Though she couldn't identify the tune, the hollow notes reverberating through the ice made her skin crawl.

It was Victor who broke first.

“I swear to God, if you don’t stop?—”

“Just passing the time,” Jacob responded almost gleefully before coming to a stop. He had been whistling the same tuneless melody at irregular intervals throughout their excursion. She certainly didn’t view their journey as an exploration. After all, she had been right about her brother’s knowledge of the tunnels. “What do you think, Agent Brall. Left or right?”

---