Running on Empty by Christy Reece Page B

contentment more than made up for his discomfort.
    The changes within LCR had been numerous but all good. Thanks to LCR operative Lucas Kane, who had donated a substantial amount of money to the organization, Last Chance Rescue had been able to expand beyond Noah’s wildest dreams. LCR branch offices spread all over the globe, with trusted informants throughout the world on alert and ready to help, the most up-to-date technology at their fingertips. Most important, LCR had the toughest and bravest operatives imaginable. Last Chance Rescue was thriving.
    LCR Elite, now with ten operatives, had gotten off to a good start with several successful rescues under their belt. Sometimes working in conjunction with other agencies but most of the time on their own, LCR Elite was a force to be reckoned with.
    But now, one of their own had been taken. Anyone who knew Noah McCall and LCR had to be aware that they would upend hell to recover a fellow operative. And because of the identity of this particular operative, Noah’s gut told him her disappearance had nothing to do with Sabrina’s job as an LCR operative. This went back to her previous job, before LCR. Which meant he had no choice but to contact those government types again.
    Noah opened his desk drawer and withdrew Sabrina Fox’s personnel folder. Opening it, he pulled a sealed envelope from the side pouch. 
    The day Sabrina had accepted his offer to work with LCR, she had presented him with this envelope and the instructions that if she were ever taken and they had no clear idea of her abductor or her location, he was to open the envelope and follow the instructions.
    He ripped open the envelope, withdrew a single sheet of paper, and took in the contents—a code, consisting of numbers and letters, along with a phone number with a DC area code.
    Noah punched the number into his phone, heard one ring and then an androgynous voice stated, “Code verification.”
    Not knowing if he was supposed to speak the code or punch it in, Noah tried entering it first and received nothing but silence. He then spoke the code and almost immediately heard a clicking noise and then an older male voice said, “State time and location of the last time Ms. Fox was seen.”
    “I don’t think so,” Noah said mildly. 
    “Excuse me?”
    Noah got the feeling this man wasn’t used to being challenged. There was not only surprise in the gruff voice but also amusement.
    He wasn’t one to get into a pissing contest, especially when one of his own people’s lives was at stake, but he damn well wasn’t going to give information to some unknown person and then just back away. Sabrina was no longer a government agent. She was one of his, and he took care of his own.
    “If we’re going to find Ms. Fox,” Noah stated baldly, “then we’re going to work together.”
    “We don’t work with others.”
    “Make an exception or you won’t get the information you requested.”
    “You would put her life on the line?”
    “Absolutely not. But neither will I kowtow to some secret government entity. We work together and we’ll find her.”
    “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
    “Feel free to tell me.”
    There was a long, silent pause. He wondered if the guy was even breathing. Finally, he said, “Very well, Mr. McCall. Meet me at the Lincoln Memorial in an hour.”
    “How will I know you?”
    “Don’t worry. I know you.”
    Noah clicked the key to end the call and then sat back in his chair. Why did he suddenly feel as if he’d just made a date with the devil? 
     
    Coley Springs, Idaho
    Fury bubbling within him, Declan’s hands fisted at his sides. The unconscious woman before him had starred in every recent nightmare. Limp and lifeless on the cot, her black cotton T-shirt was a startling contrast to the bleached paleness of her face. Except for one jarring exception. 
    “Dammit, Sabrina, where the hell did you get that bruise? I know I didn’t hit you. I