She was sitting on a living room floor, playing with a wooden block.

Behind her, a pair of boots walked into the frame.

A hand reached down, offering her a small toy.

Emma looked up, her face lighting up with a bright smile.

She reached out her tiny hands.

“Mama,” she cooed.

The video cut to black, replaced by a single line of text.

“She is safe with us, Captain.”

“We will contact you with the terms.”

I stared at the black screen, the rain washing the mud from my face.

The wail of sirens finally reached the quarry entrance.

But I knew they were too late.

The betrayal went far deeper than my husband’s family.

It went to the very top of my command.

I stood up, the empty pink blanket clutched in my fist.

The battle was not over.

It was just beginning.

I turned toward the road, my face set in stone.

I would find her.

No matter what it took.

No matter who I had to destroy.

I walked out of the quarry, my boots heavy on the wet gravel.