“Try his phone again.”
“I’ve tried it three times, sir. If he actually approached the house, he either left it in the car or turned the volume off. The suspects would probably get suspicious if his phone rang in front of them and he didn’t answer it.”
Spelling looked at his watch. “It’s been twenty-five minutes.” He tipped his head toward Bill. “Call his deputies and see if they’ve talked to him.”
“Right away, sir.” Bill hit Redial on his contact at the sheriff’s department.
“Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Renee speaking. How may I direct your call?”
“Hello, this is Agent Bill Lewis from the FBI. I called earlier. Is there a deputy I can speak with?”
“One moment, sir.”
“Hello, this is Deputy Reese. How can I help you, Agent Lewis?”
“Where is your sheriff, Deputy Reese? Isn’t anyone keeping tabs on his whereabouts?”
“Sure thing, Agent Lewis. Sheriff Wells gave me a call about fifteen minutes ago. He said he was almost to the property.”
“And you haven’t spoken to him since?”
“No, sir. We’re standing by.”
“Get out to that property now! Your sheriff may have just gotten himself, our agent, and his civilian sister in trouble.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll round up everyone and head out.”
“Deputy Reese, no sirens and no lights. Go in quietly and call me back the second you arrive.” Bill hung up and pounded the table with his fists. “Damn Podunk crew. I don’t think they’re taking this seriously. I’m sure that neck of the woods has never dealt with anything worse than someone poaching a deer.”
Spelling stood. “Everyone, suit up in your vests and grab your weapons and extra magazines. We’re taking the chopper. Cam, get on the horn with our hangar at Mitchell Field and tell the crew we need our helicopter ready to go in thirty minutes. Have them clear our arrival with the airport in Portage. I want vehicles at our disposal and somebody waiting there who will lead us to that cabin. Have a SWAT team get out there as soon as they can.”
Thirty minutes later, six of us climbed into the waiting chopper, the blades spun, and the helicopter began to lift. The flight to the Portage airport would take just under an hour, and we still hadn’t heard a word from the deputies.