I took the phone back and slipped it into my own pocket.

“Step inside,” I said, gesturing toward the small pantry.

He walked in without a fight, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

I closed the heavy wooden door of the pantry and slid the iron bolt into place.

He would be safe there, and quiet, until this was over.

I walked back to the bedroom doorway.

Lily was still holding her brother’s hand.

Owen’s grip on his stuffed bear had loosened slightly.

They looked so small under the heavy wool blankets.

I felt a familiar, cold anger settle deep in my chest.

These children had done nothing but exist, and yet they were being hunted.

I pulled my satellite phone from my vest and dialed Marco’s secure line.

He answered on the first ring.

“Speak,” Marco said.

“Miller was the leak,” I said. “He just sent the bait.”

“The cannery?” Marco asked.

“Yes,” I said. “Sterling will want to handle this personally to ensure the papers I took are destroyed.”

“We have the perimeter of the cannery wired,” Marco said. “The cameras are live.”