The line went dead.

I stared at the screen, my heart hammering against my ribs.

I recognized the voice.

It was Dr. Kenneth, my mother’s primary physician, the man who had signed her transfer papers.

Before I could say a word to Agent Vance, a pair of headlights appeared at the airfield gate.

A white van with the crimson logo of Carter Medical was speeding toward us.

It did not slow down as it approached the police barrier.

It swerved hard, its tires screaming on the wet asphalt, before crashing directly into the side of the empty SUV.

The impact was a deafening crunch of metal and shattering glass.

The driver’s door of the van flew open.

A young man in a white lab coat stumbled out, his shirt stained with dark red ink.

Agent Vance drew his weapon in a single, fluid motion.

“Fears, get the boys behind the patrol car!” he yelled.

I grabbed Lucas and Mason by their jackets, pulling them toward the rear of the police cruiser.

The metal of the car was cold and wet under my hands.