I picked up the paper and glanced at it.
“I think this could be it, and I wanted you to be here when we got the call,” he said with compassion and also a tone of wanting us to know they were doing all they could.
“This could be a win for all of us.”
Just then, a scratchy sound came from the conference phone speaker and Agent Stevens unmuted the phone.
“We’re here. What’s happening?” Agent Stevens said.
We lean forward in our seats, hanging on to every millisecond in the brief pause that followed.
“Empty, sir.” The agent’s voice was very matter-of-fact.
Sandra let out a sound somewhere between a sigh and a sob.
“It was close. There was still warm water in the sink . . .”
Agent Stevens sunk down into his chair. “Damn it,” he said in a loud whisper, cupping his hand over the top of h
