Page 27 of Landon
Time was critical. Less than fifteen minutes to extract the kids and get them to safety. He keyed his radio, knowing Sadie would relay his movements to Noel, keeping her updated and ready.
The ground around the house was already muddy, and he slogged his way to a back window of the smaller building, noting a drain pipe running from the flat roof. Climbing onto the windowsill, he was able to reach the downspout. Gripping tightly, he struggled as the rain kept his grip slick. He gritted his teeth, every muscle straining as he shimmied upward. His kneefinally found purchase on the roof, and with a final push, he hauled himself up.
Once there, he scrambled to his feet and hurried to the second-story window. The absence of iron bars was a stroke of luck. He could remove the wooden slats without too much trouble. Reaching into his pack, he pulled out a flat metal tool. With practiced efficiency, he slipped it under the edge of the first board, applying pressure until it popped free. The storm muffled the sound, but he knew there was no time to waste.
One by one, the wooden slats came loose, each board discarded silently to the side. When the last piece gave way, Landon pushed the shutters open, the sudden gust of wind and rain spraying his face. He swept his penlight across the dim room, its beam cutting through the shadows.
Moving to the other side, he repeated the action and popped the bottom wooden slat from its fastening. He repeated the action until the wooden shutters could be jerked open.
In the far corner, two figures huddled together. Tad stood protectively in front of Penny, his arms spread wide, shielding her. Landon’s heart clenched at the sight, but he didn’t let the emotion slow him down.
Slipping inside, he whispered urgently, “Tad. Penny. I’m here to help. Your father sent me.”
Tad’s eyes widened, flickering between hope and fear. Penny peered out from behind her brother, her small frame trembling.
“Tad,” she whimpered, her voice barely audible, “What do we do?”
“I need you both to trust me,” he said, pulling out his ID and flashing it quickly. “I’m with Lighthouse Security in Montana. Your dad and grandparents sent me to bring you home. We don’t have much time. One of the men downstairs has demanded a ransom. We need to get out of here before they decide to come up.”
Tad’s gaze locked onto Landon’s, searching for the truth in his eyes. Landon held his breath, waiting for the boy’s decision. Finally, Tad turned to Penny and wrapped an arm around her.
“I trust him,” he said firmly. “Let’s go.”
Landon exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. The kids hurried toward him, only to recoil slightly as the cold rain lashed through the open window. Landon quickly motioned them forward.
“It’s okay. Just stay close to me,” he assured, positioning himself to guide them out. Every second counted now, and he wouldn’t let anything stop them from getting to safety.
Penny approached first, and Tad helped her over the windowsill and onto the roof, where she knelt, keeping her face down to keep the stinging rain from hitting her face. Tad quickly followed, and Landon led them to the side where the pipe went down.
“Tad, I’m going to lower you as far as I can, and then you can drop. The ground is soft, but I need you at the bottom to help get your sister.”
Without hesitation, Tad nodded. “I can do this.” With the agility of a monkey, he scrambled down the drainpipe, slipping and sliding until his feet were on the muddy ground.
“Climb on my back like we’re going to piggyback.” Landon softly ordered as he offered his hand to Penny.
She didn’t hesitate, and he squatted while she clambered onto his back, wrapping her arms and legs around him. He wasn’t sure if her hasty acquiescence was because she trusted him or if she just wanted to get closer to her brother. Either way, he was glad he didn’t waste time convincing her what she needed to do. She was slight in stature, but the descent wouldn't be easy with the elements working against them.
He grabbed the pipe with both hands, gave it a hard shake again to test its steadiness, and then swung himself off the edge of the building so they dangled against the side of the building.
“What the fuck?” an angry voice yelled from the upper window.
“Dammit!” Landon cursed under his breath. The shout came from the upper window, so there was no time for a careful descent now. He let go, dropping them to the muddy ground below. The impact jarred his knees, but he quickly recovered, helping Penny off his back as Tad rushed forward to catch her.
Before Landon could issue any further instructions, a gunshot rang out, echoing through the storm. “Down!” he barked, instinctively reaching for his weapon as he scanned the rooftop.
A heavy thud followed as a body crumpled to the ground, landing mere feet from where they stood. Penny’s scream pierced the air, but Landon’s focus remained on the fallen man. The older kidnapper lay writhing in the mud, blood seeping from a wound in his chest. His anguished cries mixed with the relentless sound of the storm.
“Shit!” Landon hissed, eyes snapping toward the tree line. There stood Noel, her gun still raised, eyes wide and locked on the man she’d just shot.
Tad and Penny scrambled away, fear evident in their every movement. Landon’s voice cut through the chaos, firm and commanding. “Go with her! She’s with me!”
Whether it was trust in Landon’s authority or sheer instinct, Tad pulled Penny to her feet and guided her toward Noel. His hands gripped her shoulders tightly as they made their way toward the relative safety of the trees.
“Noel!” Landon barked again, his gaze meeting hers. She blinked, snapping out of her daze, the shock in her eyes givingway to grim determination. “Take them!” he ordered. “Get back to the Jeep. I’ll cover.”
She hesitated, and he barked, “Now!”
Suddenly, she blinked and lowered the gun before whirling and turning toward the kids. “Come on. Stay with me. He’ll bring up the rear.”
