Page 57 of Once Hidden
Dana blinked.“You?”
“Look at us,” Riley gestured between them.“We could be sisters.From a distance, in a delivery uniform, with a cap pulled low—he’d never know the difference.”
Ann Marie spoke slowly, comprehension dawning.“It could work.He’s probably been watching her from a distance anyhow, noting the route, the timing.He wouldn’t expect a switch.”
“Unless he’s somewhere nearby watching us now,” Sheriff Rich said.
“Maybe he is,” Riley admitted.“Maybe he’ll just slip away.But if not, we might be able to catch him by surprise.”
Sheriff Rich frowned, crossing his arms.“That’s a hell of a risk, Agent Paige.Even if you’re right and he takes the bait, you’d be out there alone, vulnerable.”
“Not alone,” Ann Marie interjected.“I could hide in the back of the truck.Extra protection, out of sight.”
Riley felt a surge of appreciation for her young partner.Ann Marie didn’t just follow; she anticipated, extended, and improved.
“We’d need to coordinate with her supervisor at SwiftUnified,” Riley said.“Get the exact route, learn the procedures, make it look authentic.”
Dana set her mug down with a decisive thud.“Sandra Beckett.She ‘s the depot manager.She starts at 6 a.m.every morning—she’ll be there now.”A flicker of hope crossed her face.“You really think this could work?”
“It’s worth a shot,” Riley said.“But only if we move fast.When’s your shift supposed to start?”
“Noon.I load up around 11:30, head out at 12.”
The kitchen fell silent as Sheriff Rich considered the plan.Riley could see the internal debate playing out across his face—duty versus innovation, caution versus opportunity.
“If—and I mean if—we try this,” he finally said, “we do it with full backup.I want an officer tailing the delivery truck at a discreet distance.We’d need a direct line of communication and a clear extraction plan if things go south.”
“Agreed.And we’ll need officers here with Dana, just to be safe.But not obvious to anyone outside.”
The sheriff pulled out his phone.“I’ll call the station, get Diaz and Martinez over here.They’re my best.”He stepped into the living room to make the call, his voice a low murmur in the background.
Ann Marie had moved to the window, scanning the quiet street outside.“We should review the route before we go.Familiarize ourselves with any choke points, isolated areas.”
Riley turned to Dana.“Do you have your delivery schedule for today?And maybe a spare uniform?”
Dana disappeared down a hallway, returning moments later with a folded brown uniform and a tablet.“The schedule’s on here.The app shows the route and delivery sequence.”She handed both to Riley.“The uniform might be a little big on you—I’m just a bit taller.”
Riley took the items, already mentally preparing for what lay ahead.She scrolled through the delivery schedule, memorizing the sequence, the addresses, the estimated times.
Sheriff Rich returned to the kitchen.“Diaz and Martinez are on their way.ETA ten minutes.I’ve briefed them on the situation.”
“Good,” Riley said.“Once they’re here, we should head to the depot.I want as much time as possible to prepare.”
Sheriff Rich made another call—this time to the depot manager, Sandra Beckett, to let her know they were coming.Then minutes stretched as they waited, each lost in their own thoughts.Riley continued studying the delivery route, identifying vulnerable points—isolated rural mailboxes, houses set back from the road, areas with poor cellular reception.Ann Marie checked her weapon discreetly, then helped Riley try on the uniform jacket to check the fit.
A patrol car pulled up outside, and two uniformed officers approached the house.
Sheriff Rich made quick introductions, then gave his officers concise instructions—no one in or out except emergency services, regular perimeter checks, and an unmarked vehicle parked down the street as additional surveillance.
“Ready?”he asked, turning to Riley and Ann Marie.
Riley met Dana’s eyes one last time.“We’re going to end this today,” she promised, hoping she could keep her word.
As they followed Sheriff Rich to his cruiser, Riley felt the familiar tightening in her chest that always preceded an operation—part anxiety, part anticipation.Ann Marie walked beside her, outwardly calm but with a telltale tension in her shoulders.
“This is going to work,” Ann Marie said quietly as they climbed into the backseat of the sheriff’s car.
“It has to,” Riley replied simply as the car pulled away, carrying them toward the depot and whatever waited beyond.
