Page 110 of Lost Lake
Finally. Finally! They found her. Alive.
Tears threatened to block El’s view. She couldn’t let that happen. She willed them to stop and started back as silently as she could.
She reached Gabe and dropped down next to him. “Keep your voice under control, but Lucy’s inside. She’s alive.”
His mouth flashed open, but before he could utter a sound, he clamped a hand over it, his eyes wide and sparkling.
She took his free hand. Bowed her head. “Thank You Father. Thank You for keeping Lucy alive. Now, let us safely bring her home where she belongs. Amen.”
“Amen,” Gabe said with a shaky voice. “And praise Your holy name.”
El squeezed his hand and shared her plan with Mina for approval.
Minutes later, El followed the same route back to the building, this time leading Gabe behind her. Her adrenaline before had sent her heart thumping, but now it raced beyond her imagination. Exactly the same as when she realized Victoria hadn’t just wandered off.
This rescue was different. This rescue wouldn’t end the same way. Maybe this was El’s opportunity to prove herself. To redeem herself. Either way, God had really made His wishes clear to her. He didn’t want her to hold on to any guilt, and she had to let it go to have a full life.
They reached the building. She stepped to the side of the entrance, so Gabe could grab the door handle. It was a single handle with a thumb latch. All he had to do was press down and pull it open.
She nodded at him and he jerked it open, quickly moving out of the way.
Gun outstretched, she charged over the threshold. “Police! Don’t move.”
She lunged for the man who’d come to a sitting position. She pushed him back down and put her gun to his heart. “Go ahead and move. Give me a reason to use this.”
He blinked up at her, his eyes wide, and he didn’t so much as move a muscle.
Gabe raced past her and swept Lucy into his arms. “Sweetie, sweetie, sweetie. It’s Gabe. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
“Gabe!” she cried out in her high little voice. “I knew if Mommy couldn’t come, God would send you.”
“Of course He did, but I’m sorry it took so long.”
El couldn’t risk looking at them to enjoy the reunion. She remained in place, weapon and attention fixed on the suspect, but leaned down to her mic. “We’re clear. Would appreciate help cuffing the suspect.”
Mina charged in, swept the place with her gaze, then put the suspect in her crosshairs. “Way to execute your plan.”
El didn’t take any time to revel in her praise but sat back and nudged the suspect. “On your face. Now!”
He complied, and El holstered her weapon, then slapped handcuffs on the guy. She heard Gabe explain to Lucy that he was taking her outside where the SWAT team was waiting, and she shouldn’t let all of their gear scare her. They were here to help them.
“I’m brave, and I have you,” she said, sounding very confident of herself. “I won’t be afraid.”
Her sweet voice might have rung with courage, but where would that courage be when she learned her mother had been killed? How would Gabe tell her? El would like to be there to help him if he wanted her to, but it would all be up to him.
Gabe made his way around the suspect but paused at the doorway. “I’ll take Lucy directly to the ambulance. Meet us at the hospital so I can thank you properly.”
“Nothing could stop me,” she said, looking up at him. “You can count on that.”
Gabe pressed Lucy’s face away from the SWAT team as he crossed the brick and entered the path toward the hill where theambulance waited. Despite Lucy’s protest of not being afraid, her trembling fingers twisted in his shirt, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. Anger for the men who did this to her grew until he thought he might explode with it.
Didn’t matter. He could do nothing about it now. Not with Lucy in his arms. Still, he would make sure they paid, but for now, Lucy was his priority.
Being careful not to tangle his feet in the thick grass encroaching the path, he picked up speed, murmuring over and over again, “It’s okay, sweetie. I’ve got you.”
She’d actually stopped trembling by the time they’d reached the end of the path leading up the hill to the ambulance.
“Stop! Or I shoot the kid.” The familiar voice cut through the air like a blade.
