The power faded, leaving her trembling and gasping for breath. She shuddered and swiped the muddy water dripping from her nose. What the hell was that? And how had Joe known it would happen? Jesus, she had to find out just who he was and how he knew so much.
But right now that was not her main priority. She struggled upright, the material still clenched in her hand. But with most of the night's power having left her system, it was little more than a sodden strip. Even so, it was proof that he'd been here, proof that she'd found what they could not. A clue. A possible hope.
As she made her way back to the car, she dug her viaphone from her pocket and quickly dialed the SIU.
"Christine? Patch me through to Director Byrne."
Stephan came on-line. In the background she could hear strident alarms. "What do you want now, Agent Ryan?"
For the first time since she'd met him, Stephan actually looked, and sounded, stressed. "I know where he is, sir. I'm heading there now."
"The address?"
She gave it to him. "I wouldn't call in too many reinforcements, though. Might inflame the situation."
"The situation is already inflamed. She gave us two hours," he hesitated, glancing down. "Forty-five minutes ago. And Whittiker has escaped."
That was not a good development. "Escaped? How?"
"We don't know, and we can't find him."
"He'll be heading to the factory to meet up with Rose and help fulfill his end of the bargain.
"Maybe. I'll meet you there, Agent Ryan." He hesitated again, blue eyes sharp with anger. "Under no circumstances are you to move in until we get there, understand?"
"Yes, sir." Whether she actually obeyed was another matter.
Stephan grunted and signed off. She put the viaphone away and climbed into the car.
"I'm going to drown your seats, I'm afraid."
Jessie waved a hand. "Forget it. Did you find anything?"
"Certainly did." She grinned and punched the address into the onboard computer. "Let's go rescue your brother."
* * * *
Jessie halted the Mustang in the supermarket parking lot two doors down from the factory. Sam shivered. Even though the car's heating was on full, she still felt as cold as a snowflake in a storm. At least she'd discovered one thing tonight — this damn coat wasn't exactly waterproof. At least not when the rain was more like a torrent than a gentle shower. Her sweater was sodden underneath.She peered through the waterfall running down the windshield, trying to see the factory. A solitary light glimmered in front of the building, but against the force of the storm, it did little more than illuminate the small patch of ground directly beneath it.
She glanced at her watch. It had taken them half an hour to get here. That gave them forty-five minutes before Rose's deadline ended. If Stephan didn't get here soon...
Headlights glimmered through the rain. The car cruised past the factory, not slowing until it reached the parking lot entrance. It turned in and came to a halt beside them.
She climbed out of the Mustang. The wind cut through her sodden coat, as sharp as a knife. She shivered again and shoved her hands in her pockets. Not that it helped much.
Jessie stopped beside her. "Bitch of night," she said, as she wrapped a rubber band round her hair.
Stephan climbed out of the gray Ford. "Might play to our advantage," he said. "With the force of the wind, it's doubtful Rose will hear any noise we might make."
"Orrin will." Sam didn't know why she was so certain of this. "Did you bring any backup, sir?"
Stephan nodded. "Briggs, King and Francis. They're making their way around to the back of the building."
"Let me go in and scout the situation. If Orrin's there, we'll have to get rid of him first."
"Definitely not — "
"With all due respect, sir, we haven't the time to stand here and argue. Orrin will hear you — he won't hear me." Not with the storm and the night as her ally. She held out her hand. "Give me an ear phone and just trust me."