On the other side, a bloody-faced Josh splashed through a doorway and disappeared.

Stella motioned for the uniforms to go after him. She had to find Gianna.

“We have to save Gianna.” Mac tugged on the cuffs. “Can you open these?”

Stella waded to Mac. Rain—or tears—were wet on her face. She touched his cheek with one hand. Thank God. His skin was warm and alive under her palm. “Where is she?”

He gave her a hard and fast kiss. “Somewhere below here.”

“She doesn’t have much time. The water is rising.” Stella used her handcuff key to free him.

She and Mac sloshed through the water toward the doorway.

The uniforms returned. One said, “There’s a bulkhead door that leads outside. He’s gone.”

“Any sign of the girl?” Stella asked them.

“Not through there.” The cop jerked his thumb over his shoulder. His radio squawked as he gave an update on the situation. “The suspect has fled the building. We have Barrett. No sign of the girl yet.”

A short burst of static, then the chief answered. “Ambulance is here. Bring Barrett out.”

Stella knew that wasn’t going to happen. Mac wouldn’t leave her side.

She ran back into the hall. Next to her, Mac rubbed his wrists. The hall sloped downward and water filled the corridor.

Stella plunged into it. Gianna had to be down there.

Please let her be alive.

The corridor took a sharp turn. At the end of the hall was a doorway.

“I need that battering ram.” Stella yelled behind her. The door was a thick exterior door, the hinges heavily reinforced.

Carl ran into the water, carrying the steel ram. Together they trudged to the door. The water swirled around their chests. Carl and Mac lifted the battering ram above their shoulders and hit the door at the top. Wood splintered but the door held. They swung and slammed it a second time. Boards cracked. Three more hard hits, and the battering ram broke through. Stella looked through the hole. The water was just as deep on the other side, the pressure holding the door closed was more than they could generate with the battering ram. How would they get her out?

“Gianna,” she shouted.

No answer.

“I’ll go in,” Mac volunteered.

But the hole wasn’t big enough for him to squeeze through.

But she would fit.

“Boost me in,” Stella said.

“No,” Mac said.

“We don’t have time for this.” She grabbed the edges of the hole.

Jaw tight, Mac put his hands in the water, and Stella stepped into the improvised step. He lifted her. She put her arms and head through the hole, then wiggled until her shoulders passed. Then she slipped from Mac’s grasp into the cell. She slipped under the water and panicked and flailed for a second before her feet found the floor.