“Callie’s determined to talk to the sheriff,” Skye said.

Edge nodded. “I called him. He’s meeting us here.”

Skye glanced toward the window. “What about Henson’s men?”

“They cut out before we got to town, turned around and headed back the way they came.”

Callie trembled as she sank down on the bed.

“It’s all right, Callie,” Edge said. “You’re safe. Your sister’s here, and we won’t let anything happen to you.” He turned. “By the way, I’m Edge, and this is Trace. He’s the guy who was up on the hill.”

Trace made a brief nod of his head. “Good to meet you, Callie. Nice work out there.”

Callie managed to smile, though her face was pale, her bottom lip cut and swollen, dried blood in the corner of her mouth. “Thank you both for your help.”

Lights filled the windows of the motel room, and Edge walked over to take a look.

“Sheriff’s here. Let’s hope he’s in the mood to hear one helluva story.”

Akins’s blond hair looked mussed, as if he had just rolled out of bed—which at this late hour, he undoubtedly had. Faint circles appeared beneath his light blue eyes.

It took an hour to relay the happenings at the Children of the Sun compound and answer questions about Daniel Henson, including the news that Henson was cooking meth.

“You should have let the police handle it,” the sheriff grumbled, clearly unhappy with their interference. “You could be facing all sorts of charges.”

“Henson was holding Callie against her will,” Edge said. “That’s kidnapping. Callie wanted out. We helped her get out. Any casualties suffered are on them.”

The sheriff eyed him darkly. Akins knew about the attack on Callie but not about Trace and the man he had shot. Edge didn’t figure Daniel Henson would be pressing charges anytime soon.

“You’re absolutely sure Henson’s manufacturing synthetic drugs out there?” the sheriff pressed.

“We’ve got drone footage showing the interior of the lab,” Edge said. “It’s a big one. The guy is making millions, and the longer you wait to go in, the better the chances he’ll rabbit.”

Akins pulled out his cell phone and started making calls. It would take time to put together a tactical team to raid the compound.

“What about the women?” Skye asked, worried about what might happen to them. “Is there a chance you could get them out first? Callie says none of the women are involved with the drug operation. Henson doesn’t allow them to go near the lab, and what Henson says is law.”

“I’ll have to take that up with the DEA. Their commander will be arriving first thing this morning.”

Edge hoped it wouldn’t be too late. On the other hand, Henson might not realize they knew about the lab. The women didn’t seem to know, so Callie wouldn’t be considered a threat. And Edge and Skye had made it clear they wanted Callie out of there. With so much drug money at stake, Henson might wait to see how things played out.