Chapter 127

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVEN

Worry and fear for Ellie gnawed at Cord as the ERT and ambulance arrived. He'd called Ellie's boss, Captain Hale, first, who'd ordered a statewide manhunt. Finally, the rain had slacked off. ERT started processing the interior of Huller's house. Sheriff Waters drove up and got out, a scowl darkening his face as he approached and saw Fox's body on the ground.

The medics rushed to him and began to work to safely extract him from the crawl space. It took some maneuvering, but they secured his neck, then boarded him and pulled him out. Blood soaked Fox's lower back and he was still unconscious.

"Possible spinal injury and internal injuries," one of the medics said. "We need to get him to the hospital ASAP."

Cord swallowed hard. "Take good care of him," he said. "He's a federal agent."

"I'll send a deputy to stand guard at the hospital in case his attacker attempts to finish what he started," Sheriff Waters said.

The medic gave a nod and he and his partner lifted Fox and carried him to the ambulance. Seconds later they roared off just as the SAR team arrived. Cord met Miles at the van and filled him in. "If Ellie's out there, we have to find her before it's too late."

If it already wasn't.

He squashed that thought. Ellie was tough and strong. She could not die.

Sheriff Waters went to confer with Sergeant Williams inside the house. Two other members of the SAR team jumped out, gearing up and pulling flashlights to search the woods.

Cord's phone dinged. It was his boss, so he connected. "McClain, our chopper thinks he spotted the van the police have been looking for. I'm sending you the coordinates."

"Copy that. I'm on my way."

Cord hurried to the sheriff. ‘My team is searching the woods. Tire prints out back look like they come from a van. Dispatch called and they spotted that white cargo van. I'm going to check out the location."

The sheriff's jaw tightened. "I'm going with. Sergeant Williams has it covered here."

Cord had worked with Bryce some. At one point, they'd butted heads because he'd practically stolen the sheriff's position from Ellie.

But right now he'd work with the devil if it meant saving Ellie.