CHAPTER 26
ELI CAME AROUND slowly, and at first he wasn’t sure he’d woken up at all. The low hum of conversation, computers beeping, ringing phones—they had no place on the ranch. Then it came rushing back. Ashlyn—Tia—and Emerson Black.
He sat up and found the conference room transformed. Every spot at the table was occupied, a video wall flashed with pictures of men, buildings, vehicles… Worst of all was the whiteboard on one wall with Tia’s picture in the centre, yesterday’s date and the word ABDUCTED written underneath.
Bile rose in his throat. This was real.
A kind-looking woman with her grey hair fastened into a bun appeared beside him. “Would you like something to eat?”
He shook his head. “I can’t.”
“A drink, perhaps?”
He went to decline then realised how dry his mouth was. “Y
