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It has been five days since the police followed Beau. In that time, they have uncovered a great deal about him. They discover the existence of the religious sect that was unbeknownst to them. They have realized to what extent the fanatical members will go to in order to protect their so-called Savior. The local authorities realize they are in over their heads, thus they call in the FBI. They need help formulating a plan to save as many lives as they can while bringing the sect down. The last thing they want is for Lawton to be known as the next Waco. The police decide against telling James Randoff or Sawyer about the recent developments. They don’t want to get the men’s hope up just yet.
Capt. Lee and Agent Grace Harper are working together to get their departments informed of all details. Capt. Lee is finally able to get the blueprints to the large gray building that the sect is stationed at. The building has numerous rooms and halls and was built with underground passageways. The two plan to have agents and officers at every possible exit, both underground and above. They know from Chester’s house that the sect is accomplished in surveillance, so they are anticipating this. The two agencies know that once the operation begins, they have to move quickly. Agent Harper receives information from the ATF that Paul is under investigation for illegally owning several firearms and bomb materials from overseas. This makes the two in charge even more apprehensive. Capt. Lee and Agent Harper are trying to get their details finalized so that in two days they can commence the takedown. Agent Harper is given the approval to have ATF agents, snipers, and additional FBI agents at her disposal for July 28th. Everyone involved is given strict orders to keep the operation classified, they don’t want the sect to be tipped off. With the use of heat sensitive cameras, they have an estimation of how many people are in the building and where they are primarily located. They pass all this information on to the officers and agents involved in the case. Capt. Lee also briefs the team on what Hannah has told Sawyer. Her story makes sense now that they know what has been happening right under their own noses. Capt. Lee and Agent Harper both agree to inform Mr. Randoff of the happenings Friday morning, right before the operation will be launched.
***
SAWYER HAS MANAGED to get out of bed and shower every morning for the last week. He still is having a hard time sleeping and eating, but he believes himself to be improving. Every time he closes his eyes at night, he can see Hannah being dragged away, yelling for his help. It is more than he can tolerate, leaving him to make the decision to avoid sleep altogether. He resolves that today, the busiest day of the week for his parlor, will be his first day back. He needs to get back to his craft, to distract himself. Shelley and Bryce are beside themselves when he tells them, optimistic of an improvement for their friend. Bryce promises that he will be at Sawyer’s apartment with breakfast today. Right on time, Sawyer hears a knock on the door. He expects to find the goofy red head, but instead, James Randoff is here. Sawyer steps back in surprise, to which Mr. Randoff takes as an invitation to enter.
“Mr. Randoff, what are you doing here? Sorry, that came out rudely.” Mr. Randoff waves him off, in a rush to inform Sawyer of what he was just told.
“Son, the cops think they have found where Hannah was taken to. Turns out that Beau character showed up at his apartment last week to get his car. The police were staking it out and had a tracker placed on the car. They were able to follow him back to some sort of compound just outside the city. They apparently have hundreds of people there as well as lots of guns. They are supposed to take them down today. Capt. Lee said we could be there, but only if we stay where they put us. Come on son, let’s go! There’s a cruiser downstairs to take us there.” Mr. Randoff urgently runs out the door, while Sawyer stands in the same place speechless. Bryce walks into the apartment at that time with a bag of breakfast burritos in his hand.
“Yo, why is Mr. Randoff running outside and getting into a cop car?” questions Bryce.
Sawyer feels as if he is moving in slow motion. He can sense that he is moving, but not going anywhere.
“Uh, he thinks they found Hannah. He wants me to go with him. Tell the others I’m not coming in today. I’ll let you know what happens,” Sawyer informs his cousin in a dead voice as he stumbles out of the door.
Once Sawyer pushes the door open to the outside, the bright sunlight hits him. He is struck with the memory of Hannah, of how she loves the feeling of sunshine on her skin, how she had craved it for so long. Sawyer is now on his way to her, to his Hannah. He suddenly feels a renewed sense of optimism as he runs to the cruiser, joining Mr. Randoff in the backseat.
“Son, this could be it. We can finally get her back. I’ve been praying about this for so long. I’ve been waiting to have a memorial for Molly. I wanted to wait until Hannah was back, so she can have closure too. She’s all I have left, I can’t lose her now, not when she was so close this whole time,” Mr. Randoff whispers. Sawyer glances at the shattered man next to him. This man deserves to have his daughter back, especially since his wife can’t return to him. This kind man, who changed his ways and decided to become better shouldn’t have been punished like he has. Mr. Randoff has accepted Sawyer and the rest of the group eagerly, without question, treating them all as family. Most people look at Sawyer either in desire or disgust due to his piercings and tattoos, but not this man. Sawyer realizes that Hannah has inherited this trait from him.
“Guys, we will be there in five minutes. When we get there, you are under strict orders to stand by the car. If you cannot follow those orders, you will be placed back in the cruiser, possibly in cuffs. Are you clear?” Officer Merritt questions. Both men nod in agreement. Sawyer wipes his sweaty palms on the tops of his thighs, his nerves getting the best of him. His breaths are shaky, he can’t keep his legs from jumping. He runs his hands through his disheveled hair and rubs the back of his neck out of nervous habit. The anticipation is more than he can handle.
The cruiser is the last of a long procession of police cars and vans driving along the deserted stretch of road. Sawyer resolves to look out the windshield to distract himself. He sees that the vehicles in front of them are all turning left onto a partially obstructed dirt road. The road is narrow, with many overgrown trees lining the drive. They follow this path for about a mile or so when a white roof comes into view. As they inch closer, Sawyer realizes that the roof belongs to a large gray building that doesn’t have any windows. There are no other cars parked in front of the building, other than the ones they are following and a red Corvette. Sawyer automatically tenses when his eyes land on that car. He knows that Beau is involved in this somehow. His reaction to getting fired was too casual.
“Hey, Merritt, that Corvette—it’s Beau’s. I know it’s his. He’s in there, he did this!” Sawyer shouts out.
“Relax Monson, we already know this. We know all about him and his brother. When this is all over, you will be filled in. Let’s get out and I will show you both where to wait.”
The men exit the cruiser, following the officer to the rear of the car. Mr. Randoff and Sawyer are again reminded of their rules: They are to remain there, no matter what happens and stay quiet. If they can’t follow through, they will be put back in the car. The men acknowledge the terms nervously as they shift back and forth in eagerness.
They watch as the officers and agents get into their assigned positions, their firearms ready and bullet-proof vests on. The team works quietly and quickly. If Sawyer wasn’t there for Hannah, he would have been impressed by the efficiency of the group.
The order is given to begin. A group of officers break down the door, others rush into the building yelling. The whole structure is surrounded. Sawyer notices that there are groups of officers in the tree line around the building as well. A helicopter is circling overhead for aerial backup. The two men behind the car hear the screams of women and shouts of men.
Sawyer and Mr. Randoff are abruptly thrown backward harshly. Some sort of explosion, like a bomb, has detonated from inside the building. A cloud of smoke and dirt envelope them as they lay on their backs. Everything starts to happen in slow-motion. Gunshots crack the air from all directions. The sounds coming from the area remind Sawyer of the Fourth of July. It is as if fireworks are going off in rapid succession. The sound is deafening. Officers are firing their weapons while the people in the building are returning the gunfire. The ground is covered in empty shells and clips. The smell of gunpowder and blood is nauseating. The atmosphere is one of horror. It is surreal, comparable to watching a scene from a movie right before them. The suspense is frustrating Sawyer. He must see Hannah. He needs to hold her again in his arms. Sawyer wishes to look at her with his own eyes to quiet the uncertainty of her fate.
Sawyer sluggishly rises to his feet then sets off in a run toward the building. He hurdles over officers lying on the ground nursing their wounds. He can faintly perceive his name being called out but doesn’t bother to turn around. The only thing going through his mind is getting Hannah out of there safely.
He makes it into the building unnoticed. He begins to search the large area while his body hugs the wall to stay out of the line of fire. His hands cover his ears due to the thunder of gunfire. His eyes are rapidly moving from person to person when he finally discovers her. On a stage in the front of the room lay Hannah on a stone altar, dressed in a white gown. She is bound with rope but is attempting to fight Beau off with all her strength.
“Hannah! Hannah!” Sawyer shouts through the chaos. She turns her head recognizing his voice, searching for him. Their eyes lock upon each other as Sawyer rushes toward her.
“No!” Sawyer yells as he sees Beau coming toward Hannah. In his hands is a large sword that he has raised above her chest.