Page 80 of Twilight Tactics

Sully leaned over the map. “She’s smart. She wouldn’t just wander into the woods.”

“If she left on her own, it was because she was scared. What triggered that?” Elena asked.

“No telling,” Sully said. “We can worry about that later. Where could she go that she felt safe?”

Elena shrugged. “Here?”

A deputy Sully didn’t recognize entered the room, followed by Gideon. “Sheriff,” the deputy said, “we found tracks leading northwest from the jail into the woods. But a witness at the convenience store—the cashier—saw a young girl matching Ollie’s description. She was walking on the road toward the ranch when a truck pulled up. Ollie got in. This was about thirty minutes ago. We alerted the agent at the jail, and he said to let you know he was looking.”

“Good. And she got in voluntarily?” Elena asked.

“Yeah. It was Charlie Stout who picked her up.”

That made him feel better. Charlie had always been known as the town’s Good Samaritan. But his stomach still twisted. She’d run. She was probably scared. And he couldn’t help circling back to the fact that he’d failed her. “I should have stayed,” he whispered.

Elena touched his arm. “We’ll find her. We need to find Charlie and see if she’s still with him. He’s a good man. He’ll keep her safe.”

“What about Chris? Someone needs to keep him updated.”

One of the deputies nodded. “If you’ll give me his number, I’ll head out to where I can get a signal and give him a call.”

Sully gave him the number. “You have Charlie’s number too?”

“No, but I can get it and call him.”

“Perfect. Go. Thanks.”

The man bolted.

“Okay,” Sully said, “we know she was last seen with Charlie, but with these signals still jammed, we need to go search for them. We might find them before he gets the call.”

“Let’s do it,” the sheriff said.

Sully looked around, seeing the roomful of people mobilizing to help, and he was relieved that Ollie was with Charlie, but still...

God, I don’t know what to do. I can’t control this. I can’t make the outcome be what Iwant. Only you can.The realization washed over him. He’d been trying to control everything—Ollie’s safety, Elena’s actions, the outcome of every situation. And he’d failed. Again.

“We’ll find her,” Gideon said, checking his flashlight.

Sully nodded. There was no other option.

“Since the jammers are still active, we’ll use the old methods. The same ones the preppers use.” Sully grabbeda flashlight. “Whistles, flares if needed. Morse code with the lights. Everyone, make sure you have a light.”

“I know these woods,” Elena said, moving to his side. “I’m with you.”

This time, he didn’t argue. Some things were beyond his control, but right now, he could put all his effort into finding Ollie. “Back in the Bronco. If she hitched a ride with Charlie, they could be heading this way. We’ll intercept them.”

“Exactly what I was thinking.”

Sully drove and Elena scannedthe dark road ahead. The headlights cut through the night, illuminating patches of forest on either side. Gideon and Piper followed in the second vehicle.

“There.” Elena pointed. The headlights caught debris scattered across the road, and she leaned forward, the seat belt pressing against her still-bruised torso. “What’s that?”

She squinted, trying to make out details.

Sully slowed the Ford. “Looks like—”

“It’s Charlie’s truck!” Elena jumped out before the vehicle stopped.