Page 87 of Stolen Faith

“I can’t believe there isn’t a landline phone in here,” Brennon said.

“I checked,” Rowan said. “It might be worth another sweep.”

He and Brennon checked cabinets and cupboards, but besides art supplies and a literal stack of children’s Bibles, he didn’t find anything.

“…more questions for Barry,” Devon was saying. “About how they found us, who the PMCs or mercenaries are. The locations where they were holding us.”

“You’re right,” Juliette said. “Ask now, or move now and question once we have TiffaniGrace?”

“I’m worried about time,” Rowan said.

“Me too,” Devon answered.

“You think someone will discover us missing?” Izabel asked.

Rowan nodded. “With Barry here, we probably have more breathing room, but if the reverend arrives, someone will look for Barry to tell him. Also, if I were one of the guards, I’d check the prisoners periodically, even if my employer didn’t think to give the command.”

“They didn’t check on us yesterday,” Izabel pointed out.

“They brought us enough food for a day,” Rowan countered. “If the reverend doesn’t come back soon, they might bring us more.”

“We need TiffaniGrace. Now.” Juliette looked at Devon.

He turned, but must have moved wrong because he stopped, hunching, hand on his chest.

They crowded around him. Devon shook his head and looked at Rowan. “I’m sorry, but I need information.”

Rowan nodded once. He knew exactly what he was being asked to do. “Yes, sir.”

“Wait,” Izabel said. “Why does Rowan have to—”

“It’s okay,” he told her. Then, just because he needed it, he leaned in and kissed first her, then Brennon.

Rowan walked over to Barry, knife in hand, then pulled out the gag. “I need information.”

Barry just stared at him, eyes a little glassy.

“I’m a straightforward guy,” Rowan said quietly. “So I’ll ask, and if you don’t answer, I’ll hurt you. Okay?”

“W-wait, wait, don’t!”

“Where is TiffaniGrace right now?”

Rowan expected Barry to clam up or lie. Lies usually took a minute to come up with, but Barry immediately said, “The reverend’s office.”

“Really? It’s late. Why would she be there?” Rowan leaned in.

“She is! She is! We came here together, and she went to talk to her father.”

“So her father is here?”

“Yes!”

“When did he get back?”

“About an hour ago. But I was waiting for TiffaniGrace to explain everything before I showed him.”

Rowan looked up at Devon, who motioned him over.

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