Page 184 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“What about the charm bracelet?”

“That was like the final attempt. Hannah was sure you would recognize it. She wore the bracelet all the time, but she gave me the ladybug so if I had to send the messages, I could send the charm.”

“You two are absolutely amazing!”

Bay’s eyes filled with tears. “But it didn’t work, because now I may never see Hannah again.”

“You will if I can help it. I promise you, I will not stop looking until we find her.”

Chapter 71

Thursday morning

“No,” DuBois said.

He stood behind his desk staring down at the text message. He read it aloud. “Noon. Cindy’s Pancake House. Pacific Beach. Come alone.” DuBois scowled. “That doesn’t give us much time.”

Urban stood near a whiteboard filled with timelines, addresses, and photographs connected to Hannah Caldwell’s disappearance.

JP was still near the doorway, arms crossed tightly.

“He’s not going to bring her if I don’t go,” Sabre countered.

DuBois looked skeptical. “And you think he is if you do?”

“Yes.”

Urban cut in. “This is controlled contact by a highly manipulative offender. We do not send civilians alone into situations like this.”

Sabre folded her arms. “Hannah won’t show up for the police.”

Urban frowned. “You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do, and I think you do too.” Sabre pressed her point. “She remembered me for eight years. She sent Bay to find me specifically. She’s been sending me text messages. If there’s any chance Hannah walks into that meeting willingly, it’s because I’ll be there.”

They all accepted the truth of that.

DuBois rubbed tiredly at the back of his neck. “And if he bolts the second he sees surveillance?”

“He bolts anyway if I don’t show.”

Again, nobody argued.

“He doesn’t want us getting the lay of the land,” Urban said, “but a public restaurant makes no sense.”

“It does if he doesn’t plan to stay long,” JP said quietly.

Everybody looked toward him.

JP stepped forward. “He’s choosing someplace public because it reduces the odds of an immediate takedown.”

“Not if we lock the place down quietly,” Urban argued.

JP shook his head. “He’ll be watching before she ever gets there.”

DuBois looked toward Sabre. “You said the pancakes meant something.”

Sabre nodded. “The last time I saw Hannah, I promised to take her for pancakes after court.”