“Stand back,” Pierce said, raising his heavy boot to kick the door.

He struck the wood twice before the lock gave way with a loud crack.

Inside, the room was filled with thin white smoke.

Emma was holding Lily in the corner, both of them crying.

“Daddy!” Lily sobbed, reaching out her small hands.

Benjamin ran to them, scooping them both into his arms.

“Where are Sophie and Grace?” I asked, looking around the empty beds.

“Vanessa took them,” Emma cried, her voice cracking. “She came in with a key. She said they were going on a trip.”

My heart stopped.

“When?” Pierce asked, kneeling beside her.

“Just before the lights went out,” Emma said. “She had a man with her. He had a gun.”

“It was the CFO,” Marcus’s voice crackled over his personal radio. “Elena, Benjamin, do you copy?”

“We have Emma and Lily,” I said into my phone, hoping the signal would carry. “Marcus, where are you?”

“I’m in the garage,” Marcus said, his voice broken by static. “Vanessa’s SUV just left. But there’s another car here.”

“Who is it?” I asked.