Page 39 of The Deadly Shallows

“Will do. How’s Brooke?”

“She’s been examined and treated. Now Finn’s in there with the medical team.”

“I’m sorry she’s having to go through all this,” Mason said.

“Me too.”

“I better get back to it.”

Noah prayed he didn’t stop—that none of them did until the people who had unleashed this terror were caught.

After what seemed an eternity, Finn entered the hall. He closed Brooke’s door and sat on the bench next to Noah.

“How did it go? Was there anything that might identify the kidnappers?”

“Do you want me to go into detail?”

No, he didn’t. He cringed at the thought of hearing the extent of what they’d done to her, but it was his job. He cleared his throat. “I think you’d better.”

“It’s likely I can figure out the type of blade used for the wounds. That could lead us somewhere. The rope used to bind her hands . . .”

Rage burned through him at what they’d done to her. The pain they’d inflicted both physically and mentally. Torture was never completely forgotten.

“You want me to continue?” Finn asked.

He nodded.

“The rope left a pattern on her wrists. I should be able to figure out the type of rope used, and what she was burned with. If anything unique was used, that could be a strong lead. Though, what most often provides the strongest evidence is the vic—” Finn cut himself off.

Noah’s stomach lurched. One of his teammates better find the men before he did, because he didn’t know if he would be able to restrain himself from inflicting pain or death on them.

But Brooke would hate being labeled a victim, and he didn’t blame her. She was a fighter—one he admired beyond measure.

“Sorry,” Finn said, understanding without Noah having to say a word. “What’s most telling in this situation,” Finn continued, “is the evidence her clothes might provide.” He lifted an evidence bag in his hand with her clothes sealed and labeled in it. “She was in the water for several minutes, so it’s hard to say if I’ll find any trace evidence, but it’s worth a try.”

Finn stood, and Noah joined him.

“Okay to go in?” Noah asked.

Finn nodded. “I’m done, and the medical staff was just getting her settled in a pair of hospital scrubs rather than a gown at her request as I ducked out. I’m sure she’s set for you to come in. She was asking for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Of course,” Finn said before clearing his throat. “Are you going to have Caleb interview her since Mason is spearheading the manhunt, and Rissi is helping search?”

Those were his top three interviewers.

“Yep. I’m texting Caleb for the interview, and Logan to do a sketch of the men Brooke saw chasing her. She said it all went very fast. But she got a decent look at the man she identified as Saul. The other man held back farther, but anything she recalls about him could help.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Finn said. “I’m going to head back to the lab and get started on this evidence, then I’ll turn my attention to the boat.” He turned to go, then paused and turned back around. “Noah . . .”

“Yeah?”

“You should know that what she endured was painful and horrific, but there’s nothing that should have prolonged physical effects, other than scarring.”

Noah nodded and asked the question he least wanted to. “Did they . . . ?”

“No,” Finn said. “That was the first question the nurse asked.”