Chapter 9
Deputy Jenkins stared at her boss, her fair face pale with a mixture of fear and profound loyalty. She could see the shift in Robert’s eyes. The Sheriff who played by the rules had died the moment Diana Harrington walked out those doors. What stood before her was a father with absolutely nothing left to lose.
"Robert, if you do this, there's no coming back," Sarah warned, her voice trembling as she kept her hand resting on the armory keys at her belt. "They will issue a warrant for your arrest. You'll be a fugitive."
"My daughter is fighting for her life in a hospital bed because that woman thought she was untouchable," Robert said, his voice a low, terrifying rumble that carried across the silent bullpen. The other deputies pretended to be busy, looking the other way. "I am going to that warehouse, Sarah. I am going to find the rest of those kids. And if Diana is there, I am going to end her."
Sarah held his gaze for a long moment. Then, she slowly unclipped the heavy ring of keys from her belt and placed them in Robert's open palm.
"Take the unmarked black SUV in the back," Sarah whispered. "I'll make sure the tracking system is 'accidentally' disabled for the next three hours. Give them hell, Boss."
"Thank you, Sarah," Robert nodded.
He moved quickly to the armory. He stripped off his tan sheriff's shirt, throwing his badge onto the metal desk. He strapped on a heavy, black tactical vest over a dark t-shirt. He loaded extra magazines for his sidearm, grabbed a heavy tactical shotgun, and slung it over his shoulder. Finally, he picked up a fresh, heavy pair of industrial bolt cutters.
Within ten minutes, Robert was driving the unmarked SUV through the darkening streets of the city. The bright, blinding colors of the day had faded into a deep, oppressive twilight. He navigated toward the industrial district, the crumpled piece of paper from Mrs. Gable resting on the dashboard.
His cell phone rang in the cup holder. It was Dr. Evans.
Robert answered it on speaker, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm. "Doctor?"
"Sheriff, Emma just woke up," Dr. Evans said, his voice carrying a tiny sliver of hope. "She is incredibly weak, and she can't speak yet, but she squeezed my finger. The dialysis is working."
Tears pricked the corners of Robert's eyes. "Tell her Daddy loves her. Tell her I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I will. But Robert, she's still critical. Don't take too long," the doctor warned before hanging up.
Robert gripped the steering wheel, hitting the gas pedal hard. The engine roared as he sped down the desolate, pothole-riddled streets of the industrial sector. Rusted chain-link fences and abandoned factories blurred past his windows.
He finally spotted the address. It was a massive, windowless concrete warehouse surrounded by a high fence topped with razor wire. Despite the abandonment of the area, there were three luxury black SUVs parked near the front entrance, and two heavily armed men in dark suits standing guard outside.
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Diana hadn't gone home. She had come here to clean up her mess before Robert could find a way around the legal barricades.
Robert parked his vehicle two blocks away in the shadows. He grabbed his shotgun and his bolt cutters, stepping out into the cool night air. The law was no longer an option. It was time for absolute vengeance.
