He spoke into the satellite receiver again.

“Tell Thomas to call Eleanor’s contact,” Ryker said to Marco.

“Tell him to say that the children are being moved to the old timber mill in Cle Elum.”

“The abandoned one by the river?” Marco asked.

“Yes,” Ryker said. “Tell him we are arriving there tomorrow night at midnight.”

“Tell him we only have two local security guards with us.”

“They will believe that,” Marco said. “It matches your usual regional transport protocol.”

“Make sure Thomas sounds frightened when he tells them,” Ryker said.

“He won’t have to pretend,” Marco said.

“I will call you when the transmission is complete.”

The line went dead with a soft click.

Ryker set the satellite phone on the wooden table.

The silence returned to the cabin, heavier than before.

I walked over to the cot and adjusted the wool blanket over Owen’s shoulders.

The boy made a tiny, soft whimpering sound in his sleep.

He pulled the grey bear closer to his chest.

“They will bring everyone they have,” I said, my voice low so as not to wake them.