This story is different than most of my others. Entirely from one person's POV - Tara. A little more violent than I normally do, but hopefully not too graphic. I put the PG17 warning to be safe, but tried to tone it down greatly from my original. It's probably just a PG13 for most but I'd rather error on the side of caution. Please let me know if you disagree at any point. Thanks.

Oh, I've also got to thank Rick...my 'FBI source' for critiquing and helping me get the facts right.

Tara Williams was the newest addition to an all-male FBI surveillance unit, replacing an agent gun down in the line of duty. Young and determined to prove herself, she is assigned a case involving two missing children – a kidnapping that is eerily similar to an unsolved case from a few years back, which resulted in the deaths of six children. Tara pushes herself to the limit to find the missing children and get them home safely…but is she running out of time?

Chapter One

”We have less than forty-eight hours to save the lives of these two children, people, let’s not waste a single minute of it.”

Special Agent Tara Williams, brand new to the unit, watched as Unit Supervisor Stan Eldridge turned to the case board where pictures of the two missing children were prominently displayed. Listening to him intently, she flipped through the file that contained other pertinent details relating to their disappearance from an affluent Georgetown neighborhood just seven hours ago.

With a frown, Eldridge continued, “The M.O. is eerily similar to that of the Midnight Murderer from five years ago who abducted and ransomed six Georgetown children. A perpetrator, I might add, we have yet to nail,” he qualified as he looked at each attentive agent in turn.

Everyone in the room had a vested interest in this case, but the four other agents on her team looked more determined than ever. No one liked to admit defeat, but five years ago, they’d failed to get their man. It wasn’t going to happen again.

Tara felt like an outsider; the only one on the team that wasn’t on the previous investigation. Replacing James Sheppard posed some obvious challenges, but things would only get harder now. The last thing the team wanted was an inexperienced rookie reminding them of the skilled agent, and friend, they lost.

Determined, Tara flipped through the case notes on the five-year-old cold case. There had been three different kidnappings, all from the same area. In each instance, two children from the same family were taken from their beds in the middle of the night while their parents slept peacefully down the hall. Ransoms were paid but the children were not saved. The killer had gotten away six times already with the worst of crimes one human could commit against another – the murder of a child.

Though she’d been a senior in college when the Midnight Murderer kidnappings occurred in DC, the horrific events had made national news. Even now, Tara ached for the loss those parents had suffered. Closing her eyes a moment to block out the gruesome images that reeled through her mind, she vowed to keep history from repeating itself.

Whether this was the same bastard who’d murdered those children five years ago or not, Tara intended to make sure he didn’t get away with it again. She would stop him. She would not rest until she’d found those children…alive. She’d prove to the others she was an asset to the team. She’d do it or die trying.

Her gaze shifted to the pictures on the board behind her new supervisor. Three-year-old Amanda Blackwood and her six-year-old brother Ben. Tara felt her insides churn with outrage. Any scumbag who would harm a child didn’t deserve to live in her opinion. The FBI couldn’t let this happen again. She wouldn’t let it happen again.

Was it possible that this abduction could be related to those from five years ago? The M.O. was certainly the same. But, if the original suspect had been some sort of serial offender, what made him stop for the past five years? Serial killers didn’t typically lapse into prolonged periods of inactivity without big-time motivation, such as being physically incapacitated or incarcerated. Maybe this was a completely different scumbag.

Before the briefing concluded, an agent from NCAVC –the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime -- introduced himself. Aaron Stanford had worked with the team before, but still he assured all present that NCAVC would be working hand in hand with them and Metro PD to save the children. And to bring the person or persons responsible for these despicable acts to justice.

As the meeting broke up, the agents, most of who had worked through the night, began to filter out of the conference room. But Eldridge waylaid Tara as she made her way to the door. "Drop by my office before you head out this morning, Williams."

Tara pushed a professional smile across her lips and gave him a succinct nod. "Yes, sir."

She managed to keep the smile pinned in place until the man had turned his attention to someone else. It wasn't that she worried she was in trouble. Friday marked only her first month anniversary with the unit, most of which had been spent filling out forms and behind her computer. She hadn't been here long enough, or involve in any cases, to be in trouble. Still, he made her nervous.

A troubling sigh seeped past her lips before she could stop it. Maybe nervous wasn't the right word, she admitted. He made her feel restless in her own skin. Made her anxious to prove what an asset she’d be to the formerly all-male team. She shook off the distracting thoughts and gathered her notes. Lives were at stake, there was no time to worry about anything else right now.

"That's not a good sign, Williams."

Shifting her attention to the man who'd spoken wasn't necessary for Tara to identify who had made the sarcastic remark. She would recognize that cocky, arrogant voice anywhere. Michael Taylor.

Even though they grew up on neighboring farms, Tara and Michael had spent most of their youth as adversaries. Anything she did, he always tried to do better. The major difference between his life and her own had been her applying to the bureau. Many people still thought the only reason she chose to go to the FBI Academy was his decision to join the Bozeman police force. Of course, it didn’t help when she spent her initial training years with a unit only thirty miles from her parents’ Montana farm.

She’d encountered so much antagonism at every turn. She made presentations at the local high school; Michael boasted participation in four major drug busts resulting in more than 500 kilos of cocaine being removed from the streets. While she investigated healthcare fraud, his image was all over the media as lead officer on a multi-state crime task force. She couldn’t escape being compared to him and she’d jumped at any opportunity to leave. This position with the DC Field Office had come at the perfect time.

Tara feigned a smile for him. “Get separated from your tour group, Michael?” she countered, not really up to taking him on right now. When she turned to face him, her eyes widened in surprise at the tailored suit he wore. Not exactly the attire for someone on vacation.

Michael’s snicker sent a wave of dread through her. “Yeah, right, Tippy Toes,” he smirked. “Transferred to Metro last week. Detective,” he boasted, making a point of flipping back his suit jacket to show her his flashy gold badge. “Impressed them so much with my skills that they put me on special assignment here with Detective Grove.”

Oh, great, Tara thought silently. She refused to be goaded by the guy, which wasn't difficult since he strolled away as if she was far too insignificant to rate his attention beyond that pithy exchange. Michael looked as if he'd just stepped off the pages of Vanity Fair. She wondered briefly if he thought snazzy attire would make up for his missing personality. Somebody needed to let him know it wasn't working.

As she made her way toward the exit of the conference room, several of the other agents acknowledged her with a polite smile or a quick good morning. Nothing overly warm or welcoming, but pretty much what she expected being the ‘new kid on the block’. She’d already decided that it would take time for her to fit in.

Eldridge had already departed with Aaron Stanford tagging along. She wondered if her command performance in his office had anything to do with the NCAVC rep. Probably not, she decided on further consideration. She wasn't high enough on the food chain for that kind of attention.

The unit supervisor’s office was only a few doors away from the conference room. At the door, she hesitated long enough to draw in a deep, fortifying breath. She knocked smartly and waited for the customary greeting. At Eldridge’s booming command to enter, Tara spackled a perfunctory smile into place and headed into her boss's office.

She knew how to be a good agent. She’d received high marks at Quantico as well as with her previous supervisor and training agent. Even though Taylor would be working on this case, it didn’t mean they’d have to work together. She could ignore him. No problem. Adaptation was a handy skill for any woman, especially one in the law enforcement world.

Tara stepped through the door and strode across the room, her shoulders back, her head held high. Eldridge stood immediately, as did the only other person in the room.

Pausing near the vacant chair in front of Eldridge’s desk, she waited for him to speak. “Agent Williams, I’m not sure if you’ve been formally introduced to Special Agent Aaron Stanford with NCAVC.” He gestured to the other man whose classical good looks belied this abilities.

Special Agent Aaron Stanford was a legend in DC law enforcement. As a Metro cop, he had the reputation for getting things done. At twenty-four, his chief recommended him for the FBI Academy, and he hadn’t slowed down a bit. His knowledge of forensic investigation and abduction over the last ten years made him a pseudo-celebrity in the media. His continued reputation for detail was nothing short of spectacular, resulting in him being called in on most of the bureau’s difficult cases. Like this one.

Tara thrust her hand toward Stanford and let him see the respect in her expression. “It’s a pleasure, sir.”

Tara tried not to squirm under his steely gaze. She felt like a prized bull being assessed at auction, and coming up short of expectations. When the agent completed his analysis, he frowned. “Coming from Montana, you’d think she’d be at least look tougher.”

What?! Tara felt her cheeks flush. There was nothing wrong with the way she looked. Sure, she’d put on a few pounds since the Academy, but a couple more weeks at the gym would take care of that. Her health was excellent and she was damned strong.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise when he suddenly winked at her then shifted to face Eldridge. “She’ll do.”

Tara didn’t know what that remark meant. She opened her mouth to ask, but her supervisor interrupted. “I’m partnering you with Detective Taylor.”

Her heart sunk. It couldn’t be the same Detective Taylor. No way would God be that cruel.

“Michael is new to the force, but I’ve worked with him before. We need a liaison between PD and the FBI and think the two of you would make a great pair,” Special Agent Stanford continued, confirming her worse fears.

Tara knew this was the point where she should say something, but for the life of her she couldn’t decide what. Should she question their decision or toss out a show of team spirit? “I…uh…” she stuttered.

Eldridge barreled ahead as if she hadn’t made a sound. “The two of you are new to the area, new to the case. We need fresh eyes on this.”

“Maybe with the new perspective, you’ll catch something that the rest of us miss,” Special Agent Stanford agreed, leafing through the case file on his lap.

Tara’s gaze ping-ponged back and forth between the two of them. Michael Taylor was to be her partner? Great, she groaned silently. Considering their past, it probably wasn’t a good idea. But how to tell them?

She felt Eldridge’s eyes on her and swung her gaze in his direction. “I want the two of you one-hundred-percent focused on this case.”

That statement drew her full attention. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. This was exactly the opportunity she’d been looking for. Not to mention she wanted to bring down the suspect responsible for these kidnappings, and she wanted desperately to save those children.

Anticipation seared through her veins, instantly obliterating her annoyance. "Leland and Gans will be primary on the case, but I'm counting on you two to get this guy."

Pride welled in her chest. That he had that much confidence in her was one hell of an ego booster. Including Michael made sense. According to the gossip back home, Michael had worked a very similar case in Helena a few years back. His experience would be invaluable. Even if she didn’t want to admit it to herself, he was a top-notch detective. Right now getting the children back safe was the top priority.

"I want him," Eldridge said. "I want him bad."

Tara couldn't help wondering if the man felt responsible for the deaths of those other children, since his team had failed before. What a heavy burden that must be. She didn't want to have to live with that kind of weight on her conscience. There was only one way to make sure that didn't happen.

"We should start by reviewing the old case," Tara suggested, deciding to dive in headfirst. "Talk about the similarities and take it from there."

Special Agent Stanford considered her briefly but didn't bother to comment.

"That's what I want to hear," Eldridge enthused. "I want these children alive," he urged. "Time is our enemy." His gaze seemed to zero in on Tara, in particular. "Make it happen."