Chapter 8 - THE ABANDONED SOLAR FARM

The abandoned solar farm stretched across the desert like a field of broken mirrors.

Hundreds of dusty panels reflected the setting sun.

At the center stood a maintenance building and two rusted storage towers.

Grant and I watched from a command vehicle parked behind a ridge.

He had ordered me to remain at the hospital.

I had ignored him.

I knew Eli’s medical condition.

I also knew his voice might respond to someone he trusted.

A surveillance drone flew above the property.

The camera located Travis near the eastern gate.

He carried a rifle and paced beside a black pickup truck.

Cole was inside the maintenance building.

Thermal imaging showed three smaller figures.

Eli.

Grace.

And someone we did not recognize.

Grant’s tactical team prepared to enter.

Then every solar panel tilted at once.

The remaining electrical system had activated.

A powerful glare flooded the ridge and blinded the drone’s camera.

Travis began firing toward the officers.

The tactical team moved behind armored vehicles.

Grant shouted commands over the radio.

Inside the confusion, a child appeared at one of the building’s windows.

It was Eli.

He held Grace against his chest.

Cole stood behind him with one hand on the boy’s shoulder.

A loudspeaker crackled.

“I want Mara and the memory card,” Cole announced.

“Bring them to me, or the children stay inside when this building burns.”

Grant took the microphone.

“You are surrounded.”

“I’ve been surrounded before.”

“Release the children.”

“Bring me my wife.”

“She is receiving medical treatment.”

Cole laughed.

“Then bring me the nurse.”

Grant looked at me.

Cole continued speaking.

“Rachel Moore broke into my vehicle and stole my family.”

“You locked two children in an oven,” I shouted.

“I disciplined a disobedient boy.”

Eli lowered his face toward Grace.

Even from a distance, I saw his arms tighten protectively around her.

Cole opened a side door and pushed Eli onto an exterior platform.

Wires and fuel containers surrounded the building.

He had prepared an explosive fire trap.

“I will trade both children for Rachel,” Cole said.

Grant immediately refused.

Then Eli lifted his head.

He looked directly toward our position.

His lips formed two silent words.

Not Grace.

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I understood what he was telling me.

Cole did not intend to release the baby.