Our convoy arrived at the staging area just before three in the afternoon. Teixeira strode out to greet me as I exited the Chevy Suburban. “I’m glad to see you.” He glanced at the heavily-armed men exiting the other three vehicles.
“Any news?” I asked curtly.
“No vehicles have entered the access road since we’ve had it under surveillance,” he replied. “I’ve kept my men well back from the buildings as you requested.”
“Good. The element of surprise is crucial if we’re going to rescue those kids without any casualties. What is this place?” I asked.
“It’s a farm and the closest we could get to our objective. We’ve set up a command center in the barn.” He indicated a large building behind him.
“How far to the mill?” I asked.
“Roughly half a mile as the crow flies in that direction,” he re
