27

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The next morning, the scent of brewing coffee wafts into Lauren's room, pulling her from her slumber. She stretches, the fabric of her pajamas whispering against her skin as she swings her legs over the side of the bed. The apartment is still, the only light spilling in from the living room where she knows Lucy is already up and getting ready for work.Padding softly into the hallway, her bare feet cool on the tiles, she steps out to the living room to see Jackson drinking coffee, his eyes scanning the headlines on his phone."Lucy still not back from her date yet?" Lauren asks, her voice still groggy from sleep. She pours herself a cup of the steaming liquid, the rich aroma waking her up fully."I guess not." Jackson shrugs, not taking his eyes off his phone. Lauren frowns, a knot forming in her stomach. She knows Tim's protective instincts were in overdrive when he'd met Caleb, but she can't shake the feeling that something is off.Lauren pulls out her phone and tries to call Lucy, her thumb hovering over the contact. The line rings once, twice, three times before it goes straight to voicemail. "Hey Lucy," she says, her voice a little too bright. "It's me, just checking in. Call me when you get this." She ends the call, setting her phone on the counter.The two head to the station, the morning light casting a gentle glow over the city. Lauren's mind races with concerns for Lucy. Tim's earlier suspicion about Caleb's intentions lingers in her thoughts like a stubborn fog. The drive is mostly quiet, with only the occasional exchange about the upcoming shift.As they enter the bullpen, Jackson's eyes scan the room. "Hey, have you seen Lucy?" he asks Nolan as they walk in. Nolan looks up from his phone, his expression a blend of confusion and curiosity."Uh, no, not yet." Nolan says, his eyes darting back to his screen. Lauren's gut tightens. It's not like Lucy to be this late without notice. She tries to push the worry aside, reminding herself that Lucy is a capable officer who can handle herself. But the silence from her friend is unnerving.Lauren thinks to herself, weighing the risks. If she says something to Grey about Lucy being late, she might get her friend in trouble. But if something's really wrong and she doesn't speak up... she can't bear the thought. Her eyes flick to the clock on the wall, the hands ticking away the minutes with maddening slowness. Each second feels like an eternity as the worry for Lucy gnaws at her."Grey," Lauren says, her voice firm but tinged with concern. Grey and Tim walk over to Lauren."What's going on?" Tim's eyes are sharp, searching hers for any clue of trouble. Laure's mind races with the potential scenarios, but she keeps her voice calm."Lucy didn't come home last night," she says, trying to keep the worry from seeping into her voice. "She went out on a date with that guy from the bar, Caleb, and she hasn't answered any of my texts or calls."Jackson and Nolan exchange a look, the color draining from their faces. "Yeah, I walked her to the bar at like 8:30 last night," Jackson says, his voice a mix of concern and confusion. "Haven't heard from her since."Tim's expression remains unchanged, but Lauren can see the wheels turning in his head. Grey looks at Jackson, then at Lauren. "Could've ended up at his place," he says, his voice calm and measured. "Overslept.""No," Lauren says, her voice firm. "Lucy doesn't do one-night stands." Nolan nods, "And she's never late."Grey takes a breath, his gaze intense. "What do you know about this Caleb guy?""He said he worked for a medical supply company." Tim says, his eyes narrowing as he recounts the encounter. "I saw a video of him playing with a puppy.""Alright, take West and run a background check," Grey says to Tim, his voice laced with urgency. "I want to know everything you can find on Caleb before we knock on his door." Lauren nods, her mind already racing with possibilities."Everybody listen up." Grey's voice booms through the precinct, cutting through the buzz of early morning activity. The room falls silent, all eyes turning to their sergeant as he stands, his expression grim. Lauren feels a knot form in her stomach, the words echoing in her mind."Officer Lucy Chen has not been seen for approximately 13 hours," he continues, the urgency in his voice unmistakable. "Given the circumstances, we cannot rule out abduction. Drop whatever you're doing. This is top priority until she's found."The room erupts into a frenzy of activity as the team springs into action. "Clark. Take your shop and go to Sixth and LaBrea. Las Torres bar. Lucy's cellphone was last pinged there.""Yes, sir." Lauren says, her heart racing. She and Tim share a look filled with unspoken concern before they split up. Her mind is racing with questions as she heads out.The drive to the bar is tense, her grip on the steering wheel tight. The streets are quieter than usual, the early morning light casting a pallor over the city. The bar is a nondescript building nestled between a convenience store and a laundromat. Lauren parks her patrol car, the tires screeching slightly as she pulls to the curb.Her eyes scan the area, noticing the security camera mounted above the bar's entrance. "Perfect," she murmurs to herself, walking towards the bar. The door chimes as she pushes it open, the smell of stale beer and cleaner assaulting her nose. The bar is empty, the chairs still upside down on the tables from the night before."Morning," Lauren says to the bartender, her voice crisp and professional despite the early hour. He's a middle-aged man with a thick mustache and a weary look in his eyes, wiping down the counter with a damp cloth."You looking for something?" he asks, not looking up.Lauren pulls out her phone, the screen bright in the dim light. "Do you recognize these two?" She shows him the photos of Lucy and Caleb, side by side. The bartender's eyes flick to the screen, then back to her, his expression unreadable."Yeah, they were in here last night," he says, his voice a gravelly rumble. "Left around 9."Lauren's stomach drops. "Do you have any security cameras in the parking lot by chance?" she asks, her voice calm but her mind racing.The bartender nods, pointing to a small office in the back. "Back there, you can check the number."Lauren's heart is thudding in her chest as she walks towards the office, her hand already reaching for her radio. "Control, 7-Adam-12. Patch me through to Grey," she says, her voice firm and clear despite the panic rising in her. She can't shake the feeling that something is seriously wrong."Go ahead, Clark," Grey's voice is steady, a rock in the storm of her worry."The bartender recognized Lucy and Caleb from last night," Lauren reports, her eyes fixed on the office door. "They left around 9 PM, and there's a camera in the parking lot. He's getting me the footage now."Grey's voice crackles over the radio, "Good work, Clark. Keep me updated."Lauren nods, though he can't see her, and steps into the tiny office. The air is thick with the smell of stale smoke and the faint scent of fear. The bartender slides a USB stick across the counter to her. "Here's the footage," he says, his voice gruff but not unkind.Her hands are shaking slightly as she takes it, her mind racing. She plugs it into the computer and fast-forwards through the grainy footage. There's Lucy, leaving the bar with Caleb. The camera only goes so far. Lauren watches them walk off-screen, then a car drives by.Lauren sends the footage to Grey before she leaves the bar. The USB stick feels hot in her hand, the digital evidence of Lucy's last known whereabouts. She's acutely aware of the weight of her discovery, the gravity of the situation sinking in as the data transfers. The seconds tick by, each one a silent scream for her friend's safety.

...

Tim's text arrives a few hours later, a pin in a sea of uncertainty. The address is a nondescript location in a residential neighborhood she's never been to before. She reads the message aloud, her voice echoing in the quiet of her patrol car. "Meet me at this address. Found something." Her heart races as she starts the engine, the tires squealing as she peels out of the precinct's parking lot.When she arrives, she sees the SWAT van parked in the driveway, its side door open with officers milling around, suiting up. Tim's stern face is the first thing she sees as she approaches, his eyes scanning her for any signs of doubt or hesitation. "You good?" he asks, his voice tight."I'm good," Lauren says, her jaw set. "Let's find her."Swat enters the house first, after breaking down the door. Jackson, Tim and Lauren follow behind. The SWAT team is a well-oiled machine, their movements swift and precise. The sound of their boots echoing through the hallway is the only sound, punctuated by their curt commands and the occasional crackle of the radio.The man gets straight up off the couch and runs. One of the swat members shoots him down. Lauren makes her way over. She's not thinking about anything else other than finding Lucy. The house is a mess, like someone has ransacked it looking for something. But there's no sign of Lucy."Where is Lucy?" Lauren yells, her voice echoing through the house. The suspect, a man in his late 30s, is sprawled on the floor, his eyes wide with fear. Tim and Jackson are right beside her, their expressions mirroring her own.As the SWAT team clears the room, Lauren's gaze falls upon the man they've apprehended. She recognizes him immediately—it's not Caleb. "It's not him," she says, her voice a mix of confusion and frustration. "It's not Caleb."Damn it," Tim shouts, his fist slamming into the wall. The plaster cracks, sending a spray of dust into the air. The man on the floor looks up at them, his eyes flickering between the three officers."Who the hell is Caleb?" The man asks, his voice filled with confusion. "Or Lucy?""Your name is Jerry Havel!" Jackson's shout echoes through the chaotic room, his voice sharp as a knife. "You work as a prison guard at Central California Correctional.""No, no," the man on the floor stammers, his eyes wide with terror. "My name is Jerry, but I've never worked at that prison. I've been on disability for the last five years." His voice is shaky, the fear palpable as he tries to explain himself. Lauren's mind races, trying to piece together the puzzle. Something isn't adding up.Jackson's gaze snaps to Tim. "Look, DOC clearly states that you work at that prison.""My identity was stolen right around 3 years ago." The man's words hang in the air, thick with the weight of their implication. Lauren's eyes narrow as she assesses him. Tim and Jackson sigh as they walk out of the house. But Lauren hangs back.Her eyes fall on the coffee table, where a pile of mail and documents are scattered. Among them, she notices something that makes her heart race—credit card statements. She picks them up, scanning the everything. That's when she lands on the post office box rental. "This is it," she murmurs to herself, her mind racing."Jackson, Tim," she calls out, her voice urgent. "We need to get to the station. Now."They exchange a look, the tension palpable as they follow her outside. "What did you find?" Tim asks, his hand already on the car door handle."Credit card statements," Lauren says, her eyes glinting with determination as she jumps into the backseat of the patrol car.When they get to the station, Lauren, Tim, and Jackson waste no time, striding straight to Grey and Angela. Laura's hand is steady as she holds out the credit card statements. "Caleb's renting a post office box close to the prison in Kern County," she says, her voice urgent. "His place has to be close by."Angela's eyes widen as she takes the paper, her mind racing with the implications. "Rosalind's family," she says, her voice tight. "They own a farm in Kern County." The realization hits Lauren like a ton of bricks. The connection is too strong to ignore.Without another word, the four of them sprint out of the station and across the parking lot, their footsteps echoing through the early morning air. The helicopter's rotor blades slice the silence, the thump-thump-thump a heartbeat of urgency. They climb into the chopper, the metal cold against their skin. Lauren's eyes are glued to the horizon, her mind racing with the worst-case scenarios. Tim's hand finds hers, giving it a squeeze, his expression a silent promise to find Lucy.The flight to Kern County is tense, the only sounds the whirring of the blades and the occasional crackle of radio traffic. Lauren's heart races, her eyes scanning the landscape below for any sign of a farm, a clue to Lucy's whereabouts. The GPS blinks on the screen, counting down the miles to their destination. Her mind plays through every possible scenario, each one more terrifying than the last.As they touch down, the team jumps into action, they run straight to the house. Nolan, Harper and Armstrong run out. "Caleb is dead. Lucy's buried somewhere on the property. We got to find her." Nolan says as he shows the phone with a live video of Lucy in a barrel.Grey nods gravely. "Spread out," he says, his voice carrying the weight of the world. They all nod, and without a second glance, they sprint in different directions, each one of them a beacon of hope in this desperate search.Lauren's boots kick up dust as she runs, her eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. The farm stretches out before her, a patchwork quilt of crops and dirt, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the land. Her heart feels like it's in her throat, her breath coming in short gasps as she tries to keep up with her own thoughts. Every step is a silent prayer, every beat of her heart a call to Lucy.And then, she sees it. Something shiny, glinting in the light, nestled at the base of an old oak tree. She changes course, her legs moving on instinct as she sprints towards it. As she gets closer, she recognizes it—it's the ring she gave Lucy, a symbol of their friendship and the bond they've formed in the line of duty. The sight of it here, in this desolate place, sends a chill down her spine."I found her!" Lauren shouts, her voice hoarse with hope and fear. The ring is not just a piece of jewelry but a beacon, a breadcrumb Lucy has left for her. She knows Lucy is smart, resourceful—this can't be a coincidence.Her heart hammering, Lauren drops to her knees beside the ring and starts to dig, her hands plunging into the cool, damp earth. The soil gives way easily under her desperate touch, and she knows she's found the right spot. The others come running, their boots pounding the ground like a war drum. They form a circle around her, and together they start to dig.

The lid of the barrel is heavy, but adrenaline fuels their muscles. Tim gets down beside her, and together, they manage to lift it off. The smell of death and decay fills the air, making them gag, but they push through it. And there, in the dark, claustrophobic space, is Lucy. Her eyes are closed, and she's not breathing. The sight sends a cold shock through Lauren's body, freezing her for a moment.Then, training kicks in. She moves quickly, taking over from Tim. "Get back," she says, her voice shaking. She rolls Lucy onto her back and starts CPR. The dirt is cold and unforgiving under Lucy's lifeless form, but Lauren doesn't let that distract her. She counts, compresses, breathes, repeats. Her hands are covered in earth, but she feels the pulse of life under Lucy's sternum, faint but present."Come on, Luc," she whispers through gritted teeth, each compression a silent plea. "Don't let him win." Her voice is choked with tears, but the words come out clear and strong. The others stand by, offering words of encouragement and prayers to the heavens above. The moments stretch out into an eternity, each beat of Lauren's chest echoing the rhythm of her hope.Tim's eyes never leave Lauren's face, his own fear and admiration for her unshakeable determination a silent testament to their bond. He's seen her in tough situations before, but nothing compares to this. Her focus is laser sharp, her breaths measured and precise. It's as if the world around them has stopped spinning, all sounds muted except for the thump of her hands on Lucy's chest, the rush of air into her lungs.Finally, Lucy gasps for breath, the sound so faint that it's almost lost to the wind. The tension in the air snaps like a rubber band, and everyone lets out a collective breath of relief. Lauren's eyes widen, a tear escaping the corner of her eye as she feels the warmth of life return to Lucy's body. She scoops Lucy into her arms, her embrace tight and trembling. "You're okay," she whispers, her voice hoarse. "It's okay.Lucy's sobs are muffled against Lauren's chest, her body convulsing with the force of her relief. Her arms cling to Lauren like a lifeline, her nails digging into her friend's bulletproof vest. The dirt clings to her skin and hair, but none of it matters in the face of the warmth and safety Lauren provides. She's alive. That's all that matters.The next morning, the hospital's sterile lighting pierces the early dawn, revealing the quiet solace of Lucy's hospital room. Tim sits in a chair that's seen better days, his body a stoic sentinel beside Lucy's bed. Lauren's head rests heavily on his shoulder, her breathing steady and rhythmic in the stillness. Her hand is wrapped around his arm, a silent declaration of their unspoken bond. Despite the exhaustion etched into his face, Tim's eyes are alert, flickering to Lucy's monitors and the soft rise and fall of her chest.As the first rays of sunlight filter through the blinds, Lucy stirs, her eyes fluttering open. She blinks a few times, the world swimming into focus. She looks over at Tim, a soft smile playing on her lips. "You've been here all night?" she asks, her voice a mere whisper, her throat raw from screaming and dehydration."No, got here like 2 hours ago." Tim says while putting down the magazine. "Lauren on the other hand, has been here since they wheeled you in."Lauren stirs awake at the sound of Lucy's voice, her eyes blinking rapidly to adjust to the sudden light. She sits up, her eyes immediately finding Lucy's. "You're okay," she says, her voice thick with emotion. She reaches over to gently squeeze her hand, the IV line a stark reminder of the horror they've just endured."Thanks to you," Lucy says, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "You found me.""Well, of course," Lauren says, her voice cracking. "You're my best friend."Tim's eyes are warm with gratitude, but they hold a hint of something else—something that makes Lauren's heart flutter. He reaches out and squeezes her hand, a silent thank you. They sit there for a few moments, the three of them, just breathing in the quiet."Do you need anything?" Lauren finally asks Lucy, her voice gentle as a summer breeze. Lucy shakes her head, still smiling weakly. "Water," she croaks.Lauren nods and squeezes Tim's arm one last time before getting up. She strides out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the hallway. The fluorescent lights flicker overhead, casting a cold glow on the white walls. The hospital is eerily quiet at this hour, the only sound the distant hum of machinery and the occasional footsteps of nurses passing by.In the vending machine room, she fills a plastic cup with cool water, the condensation beading up on her skin. She takes a moment to gather her thoughts, to process everything that's happened. The weight of the last few hours feels like it's crushing her, but she refuses to let it show. She's a cop, a protector. She needs to be strong for Lucy.As she walks back to the room, a hand grabs her arm, spinning her around. "Hey, Lauren," a voice says, but it's not one she expects. "Jordan..." Lauren breathes out.

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KATE SPEAKS!just one plot after another😊how was this chapter for you??