Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1276

A radiant smile broke across Lizetta's face. "Alright. Just make sure you get a room ready for your great-grandson. We'll be back soon."

She turned and ran into the roaring wind of the helipad.

Joy, don't be afraid. Mommy is coming.

Meanwhile, in Zion City.

More than a dozen tactical vehicles idled silently on the perimeter of the locked-down blocks, waiting for the command to strike.

Ray stared intently at the tablet in his hands, his brow furrowed as he pointed to a specific grid.

"Remington, I strongly suspect this sector is our best bet. It's a chaotic shantytown. Half the alleys don't have security cameras, and the population is a transient mess. It's the perfect breeding ground for these kinds of rats to hide. Plus, a lot of the structures are illegal builds loaded with hidden basements and attics. It makes concealing a hostage and organizing an escape incredibly easy..."

When executing a search grid, hitting the most probable target first was vital.

If they missed on the first strike and alerted the kidnappers, Joy's life would be in immediate peril.

Even though the Dashiell family's private forces and the local police had effectively sealed the entire perimeter to prevent any escape...

A cornered rat was deadly. If they couldn't neutralize the kidnappers instantly, the situation could easily spiral into a fatal standoff with Joy in the crosshairs.

The targeted zone was uniquely divided. On one side sat a crumbling, unrenovated shantytown; directly across a small river stood a highly developed new district featuring luxury apartments and high-end villas.

Ray was absolutely convinced the kidnappers were holed up in the slums.

However, Remington offered no response.

His brow twitched. A long, elegant finger tapped the screen to pause the playback.

Handing the earpiece over, he instructed, "Listen to this exact sequence again. Tell me if you hear a faint dragging sound."

Ray took the earpiece and concentrated. The captain hurriedly pulled his laptop onto his knees, cranked the volume to maximum, and analyzed the raw file.

"You're right... It's almost entirely drowned out by the boy's crying, but it distinctly sounds like heavy furniture being dragged across a floor upstairs!"

Ray exclaimed, his eyes lighting up after several replays.

The captain nodded vigorously. "I hear it too! That practically guarantees they're in the slums. The soundproofing in those condemned buildings is notoriously garbage. A cough from two floors up sounds like it's in the same room."