A man’s hand appeared in the frame, holding a heavy black pistol resting on the center console.

“We are going for a ride, Benjamin,” Vanessa’s voice purred from off-camera.

“Do not make us speed up.”

The video ended, returning to a black screen.

I held the phone out so Detective Pierce could see it.

His jaw tightened as he stared at the frozen image of the gun.

“She’s heading toward the pass,” Pierce said, his voice tight.

“With this snow, they won’t get far if the state patrol blocks the highway.”

“The highway is already closed,” Emma whispered from the corner of the room.

She was holding Lily tightly against her chest, her chin resting on her sister’s tangled hair.

“Vanessa said the police couldn’t stop her because she knows the private logging trails.”

I knelt down beside the girls, trying to keep my voice steady despite the trembling in my knees.

“We are going to find them, Emma,” I said, squeezing her cold hand.

“I promise you.”

The smell of burning rubber and gasoline drifted through the shattered window.