Chapter 13

Stepping into the bustling bullpen the next morning, I was enveloped in a symphony of familiar sounds. The rhythmic clatter of keyboards filled the air, accompanied by the soft hum of fluorescent lights overhead. The hushed murmur of conversations created a comforting backdrop. Navigating through the maze of desks, I couldn't help but sympathize with Lily's overwhelmed expression as she surveyed the mountain of files on her desk, pulling out her chair with a sigh.

Finally reaching my own desk, I settled in and reached for the Morales case files. The smooth texture of the folder between my fingertips, reassuring to me. After Caroline's information on the missing girls, I anticipated that Brighton would call in SWAT, so I wanted to ensure everything was in order. Lost in my task, I was startled when Ethan's voice abruptly ordered, "Let's go. SWAT's already on their way to the location Caroline mentioned."

Quickly gathering all the materials on Morales and the girls, I hastily pushed my chair away and stood, forcefully shoving it aside. Clutching the folder tightly against my chest, I looked up to find Ethan already halfway across the room with his long legs. I hurried after him, catching up just as we reached the doorway of the building. "Are you going to fill me in?" I grumbled, frustration evident in my words.

Pushing through the glass doors, Ethan ignored my question and continued to cross the parking lot in silence. After a few minutes, we came to a stop near my truck. He snapped, "Grab your equipment bag. I'll pick you up in a few seconds," before heading towards his own vehicle. Irritated, I retorted, "Well, good morning to you too," as I struggled to unlock my pickup.

Moments later, Ethan impatiently screeched to a halt beside me, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel. Fumbling in anger, I cursed under my breath. Finally unlocking the driver's door, I yanked it open and snatched my bag off the seat. Slamming the door shut, I marched over to his pickup and tossed the bag into the bed, then climbed into the cab, crossing my arms and staring out the windshield.

Ethan tossed a quick, glance in my direction, before with a menacing snarl, he aggressively threw the pickup in gear and the engine roared to life. The tires screeched in protest as we fishtailed around the corner and onto the bustling road. The acrid smell of burning rubber filled the air, making me swallow hard, my knuckles turning white as I tightly gripped the handle above the window.

My stomach churned, and I closed my eyes, attempting to block out the overwhelming feeling of nausea. Taking slow, deliberate breaths, I forced myself to calm down and divert my attention from the blur of the speeding scenery.

After a few minutes of tense silence, Ethan's voice finally cut through the air, icy and unyielding. "I'm not in the mood to babysit you all day."

I swallowed, struggling to keep the anger out of my voice. "I'm not the one who needs to be babysat. You're the one who can't control his temper."

Ethan shot me a dangerous, narrowed-eyed glance. "Don't push me, Nicole," he growled low. "I've had about enough of your smart mouth today already."

My own temper flared, but I fought to maintain my composure. "Why don't you just tell me what the plan is, okay?"

Ethan remained silent for a few moments, finally letting out a sigh as he steered the truck into a secluded area several hundred yards away from the building we were about to enter. "We're going to do a sweep of the area. I want you to stay close to me and follow my lead."

I nodded, refraining from saying anything else, knowing I couldn't trust myself not to snap at him again. Leaning forward, I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached for my rifle. As I grasped it firmly in my hands, I glanced up at Ethan, who was already out of the truck, moving with purpose.

He retrieved something from the truck bed and casually tossed it to me. It was a Kevlar vest. Slipping it on, I adjusted the straps until it snugly fitted against my chest, then turned to face him. "You ready for this?"

Ethan nodded, his jaw tightening, a faint crease forming on his forehead.

Time seemed to slow down as we waited for the SWAT team to arrive, the tension thick in the air. The sound of distant sirens echoed in the background, a constant reminder of the urgency of the situation. The anticipation weighed heavily on us, each second feeling like an eternity.

Finally, the black SWAT vehicles pulled up, their engines rumbling and tires screeching against the pavement. We quickly briefed them on the situation, our voices hushed yet urgent. The sun was already high in the sky, casting a harsh glare that made us squint as we followed the team toward the building we had been told about. Beads of sweat formed on our foreheads, the heat of the morning becoming increasingly oppressive.

SWAT took point, their movements swift and calculated, their boots barely making a sound as they advanced with their rifles raised. We trailed closely behind, our senses heightened, every rustle of debris beneath our feet magnified. The parking lot was a treacherous terrain, uneven and littered with shattered concrete and scattered debris, forcing us to move cautiously, our steps muffled but not silent.

As we approached the entrance of the building, one of the SWAT men gestured for us to crouch down behind a stack of metal drums, their cool metal pressing against my palm. The seconds stretched into tense minutes, the weight of the unknown bearing down on us. I tightened my grip on my rifle, the metal grounding me, as I wondered what awaited us inside.

At last, a subtle hand signal instructed us to proceed, and we moved forward as a unit, our bodies almost melded together. The interior of the building greeted us with its musty smell, a combination of dust and neglect that made the air feel heavy and suffocating. We navigated the dimly lit space, our steps swift but silent, our senses heightened.

We moved swiftly and silently, our rifles at the ready as SWAT scanned the area for any sign of movement. I stayed close behind, my heart pounding in my ears as I tried to keep my breathing under control.

As we turned a corner, I walked into Ethan’s back.

He hissed in annoyance, and I could feel his anger radiating off of him. “I thought I told you to stay close, not up my ass,” he growled.

I bit back a retort, forcing myself to stay calm. “Sorry,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice as low as possible.

Ethan's curt nod conveyed his impatience, before he motioned for me to continue following him. The SWAT team had vanished around a corner, and we hurried to catch up, our footsteps echoing faintly in the narrow hallway.

The sound of our own breathing seemed amplified, each inhale and exhale a reminder of the adrenaline coursing through our veins. Ethan's presence loomed ahead of me, his anger palpable, radiating off him like waves of heat. I made sure to keep my distance, avoiding any further accidental contact that might set him off.

As we turned another corner, the hallway stretched out before us, its dim lighting casting long shadows on the worn-out walls. Doors lined both sides, each one a potential hiding place for the unknown. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, the tension building with each step we took, as we prepared to face whatever lay behind those closed doors.