29 |

South of Kwidzyn (formerly Marienwerder), Poland

 

Jelen ended the call from the American and pointed at a nearby backhoe while turning to Stefan. “You said you were a heavy equipment operator?”

Stefan nodded.

“Then start digging! We might have people trapped inside!”

Stefan’s eyes bulged. “Yes, sir!” He sprinted for the backhoe as Jelen relayed the conversation he had just had to his partner while dialing the number he had received for a phone inside.

Someone answered.

“Hello, this is Officer Jelen. Who am I speaking to?”

“Daniel Marek! Please help us! We’re trapped inside!”

Jelen snapped his fingers at Krakowski, who immediately dialed his phone, the situation about to escalate far beyond a potential domestic violence call. His heart hammered as he realized this was the biggest case of his career.

And he was about to have it taken away.

He refocused on the panicked victim on the other end of the line.

“Tell me everything, from the beginning.”